CHICAGO — The Knicks are getting close to full strength.
After missing the past two games to deal with a death in the family, Miles McBride rejoined the team in Chicago and is expected to play in Friday’s game against the Bulls.
Mitchell Robinson, who has been managing a fragile ankle, practiced Thursday — his first full participation since the regular season began — and could make his debut.
According to coach Mike Brown, Robinson is a game-time decision for Friday. And while the center’s availability will likely remain a persistent story this season, Brown understands the potential.
“Mitch brings a lot to the table. Obviously, he hasn’t played in a while too. So he’s not going to be Mitch Robinson in the next five games probably, no matter when he plays or how much he plays,” Brown said. “But his length, his versatility, in terms of being able to guard one through five, his ability to offensive rebound, defensive rebound, he just brings a lot to both ends of the floor. You get a vertical threat offensively and an anchor defensively, that it’s hard to replace because he’s a special player at that position.”
Robinson hadn’t played or practiced since the third game of preseason, when he was mysteriously shut down for “left ankle injury management.” Brown has insisted there was no actual injury — just a load management plan for an ankle that required surgery nearly 18 months ago — and that’s hard to believe since he logged three preseason games before the three-week hiatus.
Regardless of the reason, there’s been momentum toward his return. According to a source, Robinson also participated in the morning shootaround before Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee.
“He looks good,” Brown said.
Without Robinson, Brown has alternated between starting Ariel Hukporti — the youngster whose inexperience has been apparent — and moving Karl-Anthony Towns to center.
As a whole, the defense has been better than the offense for the Knicks (2-2), who have lost two in a row while McBride was home in Ohio to be with family.
“I love those guys [on my team] but I had to be with family,” McBride said. “Honestly, just tough on the fam, but that’s part of life.”
McBride was one of the top performers in the preseason and two regular-season contests, a strong fit for Brown’s fast-paced offense as the Knicks’ most athletic player. The team missed him.
Without McBride, the bench managed just 18 combined points in a loss to the Bucks and just 21 in a defeat to the Heat.
“He does a lot of things on both ends of the floor,” Brown said. “His energy is contagious, he’s a two-way player. He can play on the ball, he can play off the ball defensively. He can play on the ball or off the ball offensively. Even though he’s a small guard, his athleticism and power obviously make him a good offensive rebounder. He can defensive rebound too. So there’s a lot he can bring to the table besides scoring that you miss when he’s not around.”
The Knicks will need that energy against the Bulls (4-0), who are averaging nearly 120 points behind a stellar start from Josh Giddey. In their two defeats, the Knicks lost the second half by an average of 13.5 points.
“Keeping our foot on the gas, finishing strong,” Jalen Brunson said. “We’re starting great and not finishing strong, and that’s gonna be big for us, especially against a team that’s hot.”
