Mitchell Robinson is the only player listed on both teams’ injury reports ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals after breaking his right pinky finger. New York says he didn’t get hurt in a game or practice, and the Knicks’ plan now hinges on how he responds t
For the Knicks, Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals arrives with one piece of uncertainty that can shift an entire rotation. Mitchell Robinson—New York’s backup center—remains on the injury report in a way that forces everyone around him to wait.
Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger early last week. He is listed as questionable on the injury report for both the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. It’s the lone overlap between the two clubs’ lists, a small line item with big consequences once the opening tip nears.
The Knicks have offered one key detail: the team said Robinson did not suffer the injury during a game or practice, but it did not provide additional information about the origin of the injury.
Robinson, a player who has dealt with several injury issues throughout his career, has been available for New York this postseason. In 13 playoff games this year, Robinson has averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.6 bocks, and 0.5 steals across just 14.2 minutes per game.
He has also been one of the clearest signals of how the Knicks want to play when they’re leaning into effort over polish. Robinson is the first center off the bench to spell starter Karl-Anthony Towns. but his struggles from the free throw line have pushed the Knicks to be more careful. He is shooting just 30.2% from the line this postseason. a factor that has grown louder because opposing teams have resorted to intentionally fouling him to send him to the stripe.
Even with that challenge, Robinson tends to deliver high-impact minutes. He’s dominant on the offensive glass and is averaging 2.5 offensive rebounds in his short time on the floor.
That matters for the opponent. The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, one of the toughest players to guard in the entire NBA. Robinson’s role—if he can go—would be a key piece in neutralizing Wembanyama’s effectiveness.
The waiting game is now the story.
Robinson is still not locked into Game 1. While multiple reports have said Robinson had been planning to play through the injury and wear a brace, the first official injury report published the evening of Tuesday, June 2, still listed him as questionable.
When Knicks coach Mike Brown was asked earlier Tuesday about Robinson, he declined to provide too many details, saying Robinson “did individual stuff” Monday, June 1.
The decision now appears tied to the day’s work. The Knicks and Robinson’s medical staff will monitor his injury before the game and assess how he responds to activity during shootaround prior to making a formal determination.
Game 1 is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Across the season, Robinson’s numbers show why his availability matters even when his minutes are limited. In 60 games this season, he averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
In the postseason, his minutes have declined from his regular season average, in large part because of his struggles from the free throw line.
For New York, the bigger fear is not just the loss of a center—it’s what the substitution creates. If Robinson is forced to miss time, third-string center Ariel Hukporti becomes the next man up.
Hukporti is in his second season. He appeared in just 54 games this season, most of that coming in garbage time, and played just 9.2 minutes across those appearances.
The sequence the Knicks now have to manage is simple: a questionable backup center. a Finals stage where rotations get tighter. and an opponent built around Wembanyama. With the injury report already set and the final call still waiting on shootaround. Robinson’s pinky finger could end up deciding far more than how a player handles the ball.
Mitchell Robinson Knicks Spurs NBA Finals Game 1 injury report broken pinky finger Karl-Anthony Towns Victor Wembanyama Mike Brown Ariel Hukporti
So they’re saying it’s questionable for both teams?? That seems kinda crazy.
I don’t get why they can’t just say how he broke it. Like was it in the locker room or something? If he’s on both injury lists then I’m guessing Spurs did it somehow lol.
I mean he’s been “questionable” forever though, right? Knicks always say stuff like “not in practice” but then somehow it still happens. Also 30% at the line sounds brutal… intentional fouling gonna be nonstop.
Breaking his pinky finger and it’s listed for both teams… I feel like the league injury report is always confusing. If he can’t shoot free throws, that changes rotations way more than people think. But then again, he’s only averaging like 5 points so idk how much it really matters? Either way I hate waiting on “questionable” this late.