The Knicks have a simple answer for Friday’s reunion with Mitchell Robinson: probably not.
That’s the early read from Mike Brown, who was asked Thursday whether New York plans to lean on the old Hack-a-Mitch tactic when it sees Robinson for the first time since he left for Boston this summer. Brown started with a “Maybe,” but quickly made his stance clearer, saying that approach is better saved for "come playoff time or even later in the season."
Instead, Brown said he wants this matchup to be about something bigger than one exploitable weakness. He described the game as a chance to see “to see if we can defend these guys with what we do staple-wise.”
For the Knicks, that’s a notable choice. Robinson spent years being the guy opponents deliberately sent to the line, and Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla famously popularized that strategy during their 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. Now New York could turn the tables - but Brown appears more interested in measuring his team against the Celtics as a whole than going after Robinson’s free-throw issues.
And if the Knicks are looking for a reason to stay patient, the recent results give them one.
Since their 2025 second-round playoff meeting, New York has handled Boston well in head-to-head play. The Knicks are 7-3 over the last 10 meetings and have won the last two matchups. That stretch gives them a clear edge in this rivalry heading into Friday.
The timing also adds a little extra bite. Both teams are trying to bounce back from opening-night losses, with the Knicks falling to the 76ers and the Celtics dropping their season opener to the Pistons. Both enter their second game at 0-1.
Tip off is set for 7PM at TD Garden.
In Other News...
Knicks Opener Put One Early Rotation Battle In The Spotlight
The Knicks season opener against Philadelphia did more than leave them with an early loss. It also offered a first look at how the back end of the rotation might shake out, and one of the clearest questions coming out of the night centered on Miles McBride. After an uneven offensive showing and a reduced workload, his role is already worth watching as the staff sorts through how many minutes are actually available behind the main pieces.
There are a few other roster wrinkles worth keeping in mind, too. James Wiseman did not play, but the current state of the backup center spot could still create an opening for him if the Knicks decide they need another look there, while Tyler Koleks path to a larger role looks crowded after veteran Jose Alvarado held up well. It is still early, of course, but the opener gave New York a reminder that some of its most interesting decisions this fall may not involve the headline names at all. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Young Core Just Got A Timely Boost From A Familiar Name
Dink Pates path back into the pro game turned quickly after the 2025 NBA Draft left him undrafted and initially headed to Providence College to preserve his NCAA eligibility. Once he was ruled ineligible for college basketball, he landed with the Knicks G-League affiliate on an Exhibit 10 contract, giving New York a familiar young name back in the organization and another developmental piece to track.
For a team trying to build a deeper young core while working around limited draft assets and roster pressure, the move carries some real value. The Knicks have been looking for every chance to add talent to the pipeline, and Pates return gives them a player they already know well enough to slot into that broader development plan. [Read more 🡒]
Andre Drummond Buzz Is Giving Heat Fans Plenty To Talk About
Andre Drummonds season opener against his former team gave the Knicks a familiar reminder of what he can still do on the glass. He finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, a solid showing in a game that naturally carried a little extra edge for both sides given his past in New York.
After the game, though, the chatter moved well beyond the box score. A social media account sparked plenty of reaction by alleging Drummond is dating fitness influencer Sophia Zeilstra, and the post quickly caught fire among fans. There has been no verified or public confirmation of that relationship, but the rumor has already become part of the conversation around a night that was supposed to be about basketball. [Read more 🡒]