Report: Knicks' Robinson possibly out for season due to injury

MANILA, Philippines -- New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson may miss the rest of the NBA season with an ankle injury, a report said.

In a post on X (Formerly Twitter) on Thursday (Manila time,) The Athletic's Shams Charania said the Knicks have applied for a disabled player exception worth $7.8 million due to Robinson's injury.

The New York Knicks have applied to the NBA for a Disabled Player Exception worth $7.8 million as the franchise projects center Mitchell Robinson will miss the rest of the season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Major development as Robinson had ankle surgery last week. pic.twitter.com/8EvjWfI9qA

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2023

The loss of Robinson, one of the best defensive big men in the league, is big for New York as they try to come back to the playoffs once again.

Before the injury, Robinson played 21 games this season, with averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

He played in a career-high 29.2 minutes per game.

Last season, the Knicks had a 47-35 record and qualified for the playoffs.

They breezed through the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the first round, but they fell to eventual finalists Miami Heat in the second round.

The frontline will now be headed by centers Isaiah Hartenstein, Jericho Sims and newly-signed Taj Gibson.

On Thursday, the Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 121-102, at the Barclays Center. Hartenstein and Gibson held the fort for New York.

The Knicks are currently 16-11 in the season, fifth in the Eastern Conference.