Knicks' Mitchell Robinson Undergoes Surgery Just Days Before NBA Finals

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is among the longest tenured players on the team, enduring some of the most wretched years in team history before helping the team find new life this postseason. So when he suffered a broken finger last week, the choice to make was obvious.

Last night ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Robinson broke his right pinky finger and that there would be no timetable for his return. However, Charania followed up that report this morning by revealing that Robinson has undergone surgery and "fully plans to play" in Game 1 of the NBA Finals this coming Wednesday.

"Mitchell Robinson has undergone surgery on his broken right pinky finger -- and fully plans to play in the New York Knicks' Game 1 of the NBA Finals against OKC or San Antonio next Wednesday while wearing a brace on his hand, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote.

Fighting Through the Pain

Knicks fans appreciated the hell out of Robinson doing everything in his power to play in the NBA Finals.

"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Mitchell Robinson for pushing to play during game 1 of the NBA finals. Playing with a target on your hand especially when you know teams will play you aggressively and physically is no small task. But Robinson is built differently because he wants to be there for his team," one fan declared.

"Mitchell Robinson was with the Knicks when they were the worst team in the NBA. He wasn't missing this opportunity to play for a championship," another wrote.

"This is Huge For the Knicks because no matter who they face, rebounding and rim protection will be a HUGE factor in deciding the game!" wrote a third.

Robinson has averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with a 73.7-percent free throw rate throughout the NBA playoffs. He offers vital depth to the Knicks as the primary backup forward to Karl-Anthony Towns.

But nobody on the team has given as many years to the Knicks as Robinson has. Had the injury been serious enough, he might simply had the digit lobbed off a la Ronnie Lott.

Whether he's as effective with only nine working fingers as he was before, he's going to give the Knicks everything he's got next week.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM.