Knicks prepared for reunion with Celtics’ Mitchell Robinson: ‘Bittersweet’
· Yahoo Sports
BOSTON — Mitchell Robinson is a Celtic, and the Knicks will get their first glimpse of their old friend in green and white on Friday.
Robinson, previously the longest-tenured Knicks player, joined the Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million deal when New York opted not to re-sign their defensive anchor and backup center during the offseason.
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Now, he looks to hand his former team its second loss in a row. The Knicks lost their season-opener to the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-100, and the Celtics blew a 20-plus-point lead in a loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Both teams look to make it even on Friday, while Robinson looks to get even after an eight-year stint at Madison Square Garden resulted in unrestricted free agency and ultimately a move to Boston.
“It’s definitely bittersweet. He’s on a different team,” Knicks captain Jalen Brunson said after morning shootaround on Friday. “It’s a weird feeling. He’s a good friend, most importantly, and I’m just happy he was able to get a nice little payday, and it’s another great opportunity for hum. So in that aspect, I’m happy for them, but we’re competing tonight.”
Robinson averaged roughly 7.5 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal through nearly 400 regular-season games with the Knicks. His New York career was defined by his unique blend of positional size and elite athleticism — plus an unfortunate injury history and an inability to consistently nail foul shots as a career 50.7% free throw shooter.
Robinson turned his ankle in his Celtics regular-season debut against the Pistons but was not listed on the injury report on Friday.
The Knicks lost Robinson and third-string center Ariel Hukporti in free agency. Their response was to sign Andre Drummond to a minimum contract and add former Golden State Warriors No. 2-overall pick James Wiseman as the third-string big man.
“Most of us who know who Mitch is — he’s a competitor,” said Brunson. “He’s a person who wears and shows his emotions honestly and goes out there and gives 110% for who he’s playing for.”
The Knicks could not re-sign Robinson while staying beneath the $222 million second apron this offseason. Miles McBride is in a similar position: The fourth-year guard is in a contract year, up for a contract extension, and due a sizable pay raise the Knicks have struggled to offer while juggling other extensions for Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart.
“I don’t know what goes on with [Mitch’s] deals or anything, but it’s the league,” McBride said on Friday. “Obviously I wanted to see him stick with us, but at the end of the day, he’s got to take care of his family.”
Robinson, who grabbed a critical offensive rebound in the final seconds of the closeout Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, told reporters he did not watch the Knicks’ ring ceremony on Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t expect him to,” McBride said. “He’s got things he’s got to deal with.”
McBride said he thinks his former teammate can have an immediate impact for the Celtics.
“The way the play is so fast and he can run the floor so well,” he said. “He’s starting the break with his rebounding ability on the defensive end, and then he’s just gonna create opportunities on the offensive end, rebounding-wise. So I think he’s gonna be a big piece for them.”