Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson on injury recovery: ‘I want to make sure it’s 100 percent’

The Knicks had a quiet trade deadline. Aside from trading center Jericho Sims, they didn’t make any significant adds. Instead, they are holding out for Mitchell Robinson to return from injury.

Robinson, who hasn’t been on the court since last year’s postseason, spoke to the media — including Newsday’s Steve Popper — on Tuesday afternoon for the first time since last spring.

“I mean I’m just taking it day by day, the best that I can,” Robinson said. “Just continue to get to 100 percent. That’s my main goal. I’m going to just do whatever it takes to get there and I don’t have to have this happen again.

“It is very frustrating. Not getting out there to be able to do what you love to do for a living. It’s been hard. I’m maintaining, trying to stay focused best as I can.”

The Knicks have cleared Robinson for contact in recent days and their center is traveling with the team. However, Mitchell was not given the go-ahead for five-on-five contact, so it’s a waiting process for the long-time Knick.

Robinson gave some details on his rehab journey, reiterating how he feels being patient is best for him in the long run. The six-year veteran explained how he’s taking a different approach to this injury, thanks to the maturity he’s gained.

In the past, Robinson said he would try to rush back, and wasn’t keeping up with his conditioning or post-game recovery.

“Just taking my time,” he said. “I want to make sure it’s 100 percent, I ain’t trying to keep having these sit outs and setbacks and stuff like that. This time I’m just going to play it smart. Usually, I’d be young and dumb to go out there and try to get back as fast as I can. I can’t do that no more.”

Having foot surgery this offseason was eye-opening for Robinson. It’s been just one of a long list of injuries he’s faced since coming into the league, and it’s a shame because he felt he was playing his best basketball to start the 2023-24 season.

Robinson then suffered an ankle fracture that took him out from December 2023 to just before the playoffs. He then collided with the 76ers star Joel Embiid, which caused his foot injury. After trying to gut through the injury in the semifinal series against the Pacers, Robinson went under the knife once the Knicks’ season was over.

New York was hopeful Robinson would be back by this past December, but the center and team know how important he is to this team, especially at the five. And why rush him back? The Knicks entered Tuesday’s contest in Indiana as the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed. They’re hoping for a longer playoff run this spring, and Robinson could be the key.

But what of those who question his ability after being on the shelf for nine-plus months?

“That’s their business,” Robinson said. “Let them sleep and I’ll wake their [butts] up.”