The starting center has returned — but now the backup is out.
The Knicks upgraded center Mitchell Robinson to questionable to play on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking the closest the rim-protecting big man has come to making his season debut.
They also learned the unfortunate truth regarding backup big man Ariel Hukporti, who suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in Wednesday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and is expected to be out four-to-six weeks.
The Knicks selected Hukporti 58th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, converted his two-way contract into a standard NBA deal, then traded Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks for a wing player in Delon Wright — only after Hukporti proved himself worthy of minutes at the backup five.
The rookie had eight points, two rebounds and a block prior to his injury in the third quarter on Thursday.
“I said this way before but I’m proud of the way he comes into the game and impacts the game and what he does,” said Knicks captain Jalen Brunson. “He’s retained a lot in a very short amount of time, so nothing but proud of the way he’s been playing.”
Precious Achiuwa said the rookie came up to him for words of encouragement ahead of his first career start.
“I thought he was great. He came up to me and was like, ‘Hey man, I need some advice,’” Achiuwa said. “I told him just go out there, make sure you talk, overcommunicate, talk to the guys and show your body when the offensive player is coming off the screen. I thought he played really great today.”
Now, Hukporti is expected to be sidelined for a month and a half.
It’s a brutal development considering the fragility of Robinson’s return to play.
After all, glass-cleaning seven-footer hasn’t seen the court since sustaining a stress fracture to his left ankle in a May 6 playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.
Thursday marked the first time the Knicks listed him as questionable this season. New York’s hope is the pairing of Robinson and Towns can save its struggles on defense and replicate the success the Minnesota Timberwolves enjoyed with Towns and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Hukporti’s injury, however, complicates matters for a Knicks team once again thin in the front court.
Towns is battling knee soreness and a thumb sprain and will have to monitor both for the remainder of the season. Plus Robinson will face a strict minutes restriction after his second surgery to the same ankle, though Thibodeau was uncertain of how many minutes his center would be limited to when asked ahead of tipoff against the 76ers on Wednesday.
Thibodeau will also lean on Achiuwa at center, and he has shown a willingness to go small with OG Anunoby at the five, too.
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