


TORONTO — The Knicks’ long wait for Mitchell Robinson is over.
The team’s starting center and defensive linchpin was upgraded from out to questionable after participating in the team’s morning shootaround and he was back in uniform for the first time since Dec. 8 in Wednesday’s game against the Raptors.
Robinson, who missed 50 consecutive games after suffering a left ankle injury that required surgery, will come off the bench with Isaiah Hartenstein remaining for now in the starting lineup.
“It’s a long layoff, so just get started with the next process and the next step for him,” Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “I think every player is different, brings different strengths to the team.
“With Mitch, we know [it’s] the shot-blocking, the rim protection, pick-and-roll defense, the pressure on the rim. And the offensive rebounding is obviously we think the best in the league. So all those things, they’re selfless things that help make the team a lot better. So we’re glad to have him back.”
The 25-year-old Robinson, who has been practicing with the Knicks for the past week, was leading the NBA at the time of his injury with 5.3 offensive rebounds per game. And his 10.3 overall average on the boards represented a career high.