The Knicks load management plan with Mitchell Robinson can be frustrating at times, but it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t worked.
Robinson has played 44 games this year, already more than either of the past two seasons.
He is on pace to play more games this year than any of the past three seasons.
The 7-footer has not played both legs of a back-to-back this year.
The Knicks also have sat him at times during busy portions of the schedule, even when it wasn’t part of a back-to-back.
All of that has helped keep Robinson more available than he had been in years.
“We love the medical group that we have,” coach Mike Brown said Sunday. “[Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit.
“And starting with Mitch because he’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels. So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
The most important step will be ensuring Robinson is healthy for the postseason.
The Knicks face the Raptors on Tuesday in Toronto, then return home to host the Thunder on Wednesday.
Robinson is not listed on the Knicks’ injury report, meaning he will be available against the Raptors and will likely sit against Oklahoma City.
The Knicks defense has been a roller coaster this year.
But it seems they’re hitting their groove in that department.
Over the past 15 games, the Knicks recorded a defensive rating of 105.3 — best in the NBA over that stretch.
“I think it’s just another example of where we can be defensively,” Josh Hart said after the 114-89 win over the Spurs on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. “We have to do that on a nightly basis. Now it’s all about getting better every day, getting better so we’re the best team we can be when we’re in the playoffs. We have to continue to build off this, and not have lows at this point. It can’t be up and down.”
Monday marked six years since the Knicks hired Leon Rose as team president.