For the first time all season, the New York Knicks are fully healthy.
Mitchell Robinson (ankle), OG Anunoby (foot), and Miles McBride (rib) were all full participants for practice at the team’s Tarrytown training facility on Wednesday — a major development as the Knicks gear up for a playoff push.
Robinson, who suffered a second stress fracture in his left ankle last May, has now progressed from individual workouts to full-contact, five-on-five scrimmages — one of the final hurdles before returning to game action.
Which means a critical piece of the Knicks’ championship aspirations is nearly back in play.
But head coach Tom Thibodeau stopped short of confirming Robinson’s availability for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
“Haven’t heard from medical yet, so we’ll see,” Thibodeau said after practice.
Even when Robinson does return, Thibodeau cautioned that it will take time for him to regain his rhythm.
“You have to anticipate that the game’s gonna be different, so we’ll see where he is once he’s out there. He’ll need a little bit of time,” Thibodeau said. “But the things that he can bring—the hustle, the ability to see things early, play pick and roll, rim-protect, offensive rebound — those are things he’ll bring right off the bat.”
Robinson’s return is imminent, and Anunoby — who was listed as questionable in the two games before the All-Star break — is expected to return on Thursday.
So is McBride, who logged just eight minutes in the Feb. 12 victory over the Atlanta Hawks before exiting with a rib injury.
For the first time this season, the Knicks got to see their full-strength roster in action during practice, and it’s only a matter of time until those off-day reps play out on the Madison Square Garden floors.
“It means a lot. Obviously, after the break, you want everyone to be ready to go,” said team captain Jalen Brunson. “I’m excited to get down this stretch. I love this team a lot. I love everyone that’s a part of it and this organization. We all have one goal in mind, and I’m really thankful.”
“We’ve done a great job of sustaining what we need to do and being where we need to be at this point in the season. The next-man-up mentality of the guys in the locker room has been great,” added Karl-Anthony Towns. “To be able to get people back — Mitch, OG, and everyone— it gives us a chance to hone in on our team as a whole.”
THE LONG ROAD BACK FOR ROBINSON
Robinson hasn’t played since May 6, when he re-injured his surgically repaired left ankle in Game 1 of the Knicks’ second-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
He initially suffered the injury against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 8, 2023, underwent surgery, returned after three and a half months of rehab before reinjuring himself during the playoffs.
The Knicks originally targeted December-January for his return, but the team extended his rehab into February to ensure full recovery.
Now, Robinson appears ready to take the floor again.
“He looks good,” Thibodeau said. “He’s gotta get his timing down, but overall, he moved pretty well. He’s out there, did a good job. Makes it a little different—rim protection, offensive rebounding. But it will take some time.”
Robinson’s return isn’t just about defense — it also gives the Knicks more lineup flexibility and strengthens a thin bench.
Thibodeau now has the option to recreate the Minnesota model, pairing Robinson with Towns, similar to how Towns played alongside four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in Minnesota.
“I remember being in Minnesota with three bigs. It’s great to have [Robinson] back and to have the firepower we have,” Towns said. “It gives us versatility. It allows us to play against teams that have a two-big lineup, or teams that go small. We can adjust however we need to.”
Thibodeau could also stagger their minutes, allowing Towns to bolster the second unit, which ranks last in the NBA in bench scoring, while Robinson anchors the starting lineup’s defense.
Brunson, however, doesn’t believe it matters who plays alongside Robinson — because his presence alone changes everything.
“Do you think he’s a difference-maker?” Brunson asked. “Then I think he’s a difference-maker.”
THE ANUNOBY EFFECT
Robinson’s return isn’t the only defensive boost on the way — Anunoby is back, too.
Since Anunoby exited the Knicks’ Feb. 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with a right foot injury, the Knicks’ defense has struggled significantly, allowing 118 points to the Grizzlies, 115 points to the Mavericks, 131 points to the Celtics, 115 points to the Rockets and 148 points to the Hawks for the worst defensive rating in all of basketball during the five games leading into the All-Star break.
With Robinson and Anunoby back, the Knicks can finally reestablish their defensive identity — something that’s been missing in their absence.
“Yeah, I think the break was good for him,” Thibodeau said of Anunoby. “We’ll see how he responds tomorrow after practice today.”
This is the closest the Knicks have been to 100 percent all season, and Thibodeau knows they need to maximize their opportunity.
“Whatever your circumstances are, you deal with them as best you can,” Thibodeau said. “We had guys out, so it was an opportunity for the new guys to get time together. Now that you have more depth, you take advantage of it the other way. You need everyone over the course of the season. So just get in there and get the job done.”
With their full squad finally intact, the Knicks are officially locked and loaded for the final stretch.
The team has seen its potential in practice. Now, it’s time for the newest rendition of the new-look Knicks to take the floor.
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