NBA: Knicks lose another key player in Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers go after a loose ball during the second half in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2024 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — Mitchell Robinson has a stress injury to his left ankle, becoming the third key player the New York Knicks have lost for their playoff run.

The Knicks said Tuesday that Robinson would be evaluated again in six-to-eight weeks, essentially ruling him out no matter how far they go in the postseason.

Robinson was the Knicks’ starting center for the first 21 games of the season before needing ankle surgery and missing 49 games.

READ: NBA: Jalen Brunson scores 43, rallies Knicks past Pacers in Game 1

He returned late in the season to back up Isaiah Hartenstein and played in 10 of the final 11 games, helping the Knicks earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Robinson had a big role defending Joel Embiid in the first-round victory over Philadelphia, but was injured during the series and missed Game 4.

The 7-footer played just 12 minutes Monday in the Knicks’ Game 1 victory over Indiana, finishing with two points and two rebounds.

READ: NBA: Julius Randle to miss rest of Knicks season after surgery

The Knicks have already lost All-Star forward Julius Randle and key reserve Bojan Bogdanovic to season-ending injuries.

They were going with just a seven-man rotation at the end of the previous series and played eight Monday, with their reserves outscored 46-3 by Indiana’s.