NBA: Knicks Center Mitchell Robinson breaks pinky finger, status for NBA Finals unclear – report

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson broke his right pinky finger earlier this week, and there is currently no timetable for his return, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

The Knicks are set to play in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday against the winner of the Western Conference finals. Oklahoma City held a 3-2 lead over San Antonio heading into Game 6 on Thursday night.

Robinson, 28, recorded eight points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes during New York’s 130-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on Monday, which completed a sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.

Reports said it remains unclear when and how Robinson suffered the injury.

Serving as the primary backup to six-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson has averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 14.2 minutes per game in 13 playoff appearances off the bench. He is also shooting a league-best 73.7% from the field, making 28 of 38 attempts.

During the regular season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 19.6 minutes in 60 games, including 16 starts. He also finished eighth in voting for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

New York’s third-string center is second-year player Ariel Hukporti, who appeared in 54 regular-season games and averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest.

For his career, Robinson has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 397 regular-season games with the Knicks.

Robinson is the longest-tenured player on the New York roster after being selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Western Kentucky.

-Field Level Media/Reuters