MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson returned to action against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, making his season debut following left ankle surgery.
Robinson finished with six points and five rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench of the Knicks' 114-113 victory.
“The first game back, for the amount of time he’s been out, I thought it was really, really good." Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We’ve been seeing it in practice, too. So this is the next step.”
But as the 7-foot Robinson returned, New York dealt with the extended loss of reserve Ariel Hukporti. The Knicks announced Friday that the 6-11 rookie out of Germany underwent surgery to address a left knee meniscus tear sustained in Wednesday's win over Philadelphia.
Robinson, in his seventh season, averaged 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in 31 games in 2023-24 before he was lost for good in the second round of the playoffs. He has shot 70% from the floor in his career.
Thibodeau said before the game that Robinson “brings a different dimension to our team.” Thibodeau expects rebounding and defense to be ahead of Robinson's offense as he returns after missing the first 58 games of the season.
“Short stints for a while to see where he is. Been out a long time,” Thibodeau said, adding: "Obviously, games are a lot different than practice. He's a vet, so I think he understands who he is. Just playing to your strengths. Go as hard as you can."
Hukporti played 16 minutes in the win over the 76ers — his first start of the season — shooting 4 of 5 from the field for eight points. He also grabbed a pair of rebounds. For the season, Hukporti is averaging 2.1 points and two rebounds in 25 games.
He will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. (5) shoots against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) reacts with teammates in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.
Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.
Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.
Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.
Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.
Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.
Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.
Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
