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Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks is the closest among the three major injured players to make a return.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau provided the latest injury updates for his starting frontcourt players, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, ahead of Monday night's game at Madison Square Garden against the Detroit Pistons. Thibodeau suggested that Robinson, who has been sidelined since December 8th after ankle surgery, will be the first of the trio to make a comeback.
"Mitchell is moving quite well," Thibodeau said during his pregame media session. "He's cleared for contact and all that. He's going through practices and so just needs a little more time. But he's doing really well overall."
When asked if this meant Robinson would return before Anunoby and Randle, whose updates were more uncertain, Thibodeau replied with a smile, "Assuming your assumption is correct, yes."
Robinson has been out of action since December 8, and although the Knicks applied for a disabled player exception, indicating uncertainty about his return this season, it was denied by the NBA in early January, leaving the door open for a potential return. Now, it seems his comeback is on the horizon, potentially bolstering the Knicks' frontcourt alongside Isaiah Hartenstein, who has performed admirably in Robinson's absence.
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As for Randle, the All-Star forward has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since January 27. While he has been actively working out before games, he has yet to progress to fully participating in live contact drills, remaining in the "controlled contact" phase of his rehabilitation process.
"He's feeling better, so that's a good sign," Thibodeau said. "He's ramped it up some. We'll see where it goes."
When questioned about the possibility of Randle not returning at all, Thibodeau emphasized the need to strike a balance between what's best for the player and the team, highlighting the importance of careful management in such situations.
"It's both ways," he said. "It's what helps the team and you don't want to put a player in harm's way either. So it's like, 'OK, let's just take it day by day.' You guys know I don't do hypotheticals. So we're hopeful."
As of Monday, New York occupied the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers by half a game in third place and leading the Orlando Magic by the same margin in fifth place.
Despite losing both Anunoby and Randle during the game against the Heat, the Knicks have largely maintained their position. They were seated in third place in the Eastern Conference standings by the end of that day and are currently vying for the same position.
"Well, I like the makeup of our team," Thibodeau said, when asked how New York has managed to tread water despite the injuries. "It's a testament to all our players. They always feel we have more than enough to win with. We dealt with the Mitch thing right away. That happened in December. And then it just went along. You got three starters out, and you just have to find a way to win -- whatever you have to do, that's what you have to do. That's what I love about our team."
Source ESPN : Mitchell Robinson closing in on return for banged-up Knicks
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March 25 | 3 answers Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks is the closest among the three major injured players to make a return. Do you think the Knicks can pass the first round in the playoffs? | ||
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| No | 2 | 66.7 % |
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