The New York Knicks rolled into Wednesday night riding a seven-game win streak, and if there were any lingering questions about Mitchell Robinson’s value to this team, he answered them with authority - on both ends of the floor, and against the reigning kings of the Western Conference.
Midway through the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets, Robinson found himself in a familiar spot - standing at the top of the key after a broken play. Usually, that’s where things stall for New York.
But this time, Robinson flipped the script. With Nikola Jokic squared up in front of him, the Knicks’ big man put the ball on the floor, crossed up the three-time MVP, and exploded to the rim for a thunderous two-handed slam that sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy.
And he wasn’t done.
On the very next possession, Jokic tried to respond with a three-pointer from the left corner. But Robinson, still buzzing from the dunk, closed out with perfect timing and swatted the shot into the stands.
MSG erupted again - not because the Knicks got the ball back (they didn’t), but because their center had just outplayed one of the game’s most skilled big men on back-to-back sequences. It was a moment.
A statement. And maybe even a warning.
This is what Mitchell Robinson brings to the table. Rim protection, athleticism, and just enough unpredictability to make opposing stars uncomfortable.
You can’t teach that kind of presence. And with the trade deadline looming, performances like this serve as a loud reminder: the Knicks don’t have a Mitchell Robinson replacement waiting in the wings - not on the bench, and not on the trade market.
Sure, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. And yes, the business side of basketball can be ruthless, especially when you’re trying to maximize roster flexibility.
But this isn’t a team in rebuild mode. This is a group with real postseason aspirations, and Robinson is a key piece of that puzzle.
Unless New York somehow finds itself in position to land a game-changing superstar - say, a certain two-way phenom from Milwaukee - there’s no logic in moving Robinson just to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency. Because what he’s giving them right now? That’s not something you can just plug in with a deadline deal.
Robinson’s highlight-reel moments against Jokic weren’t just for show. They were proof of concept.
Proof that the Knicks have a defensive anchor who can swing momentum in a playoff series. Proof that this team, as currently constructed, is built to make noise in the East.
And maybe most importantly, proof that Mitchell Robinson is too valuable to treat like a trade chip.