Mitchell Robinson isn’t stepping aside. The Knicks center had surgery on a broken right pinky finger and is targeting Game 1 of the NBA Finals, per multiple reports. He plans to wear a protective brace when New York opens against the Western Conference winner on June 3.
NBA Finals Game 1: June 3, 2026 – ABC
What happened and when
Robinson broke the finger during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, though the exact moment was not immediately identified. He underwent surgery shortly after the Knicks closed out the series 130-93, completing a sweep and booking the franchise’s first Finals berth since 1999.
With nine days between the series clincher and Game 1, the timeline is tight but workable. Playing with a brace for a finger injury at this level is a known solution, and Robinson’s optimism appears genuine across multiple outlets reporting the story.
Why his availability matters
Robinson was averaging 4.2 offensive rebounds per game entering the playoffs. In a Finals series where interior presence and second-chance points could tip the balance, losing him – or having him severely limited – would be a real blow for New York. He is the Knicks’ primary rim protector and their most active presence on the glass.
The extended rest New York earned by sweeping Cleveland gives Robinson extra time. Whether he’ll be at full effectiveness with the brace is a question the next nine days will start to answer. Right now, the expectation is that he plays.
[Update – June 3, 2026] The Knicks have officially listed Robinson as questionable for Game 1 against the Spurs tonight. He participated in light shooting and dribbling drills during media day on Tuesday. All signs point to him trying to play, per Yahoo Sports.
