Mitchell Robinson’s move from New York to Boston came with a big payday, but the money may not be the only shift in his next chapter. The Celtics appear ready to handle him differently than the Knicks did, and Robinson himself says back-to-backs are on the table.
On a recent appearance on Knicks Fan TV, CP “The Fanchise” asked Robinson directly whether Boston would avoid New York’s cautious approach to his workload in the interest of keeping him healthy long term. Robinson didn’t leave much room for interpretation.
“It ain't gonna be the same in Boston,” he said, adding that he’ll be able to play both nights of back-to-backs this year.
That’s a notable departure from how the Knicks used him, and it’s not hard to see why New York took the route it did. Robinson’s reduced availability in consecutive-game situations was never about preference or performance. It was tied to the long injury history that has followed him throughout his career.
Boston may want to tread carefully if it truly plans to lean on him in back-to-backs, especially with the schedule handing the Celtics 16 games on consecutive nights, the most in the league. That’s a heavy ask for any big man with Robinson’s track record.
Across eight seasons with the Knicks, Robinson spent too much time battling injuries to stay consistently on the floor. Hand fractures, multiple ankle surgeries and other issues have kept him from building a steady run of health. He has played fewer than 65 games in six of his seasons, and from 2023 through 2025 he appeared in only 48 games total.
Last season stood out as one of the most carefully managed stretches of his career. Robinson played 60 games, only the fourth time he’s reached that mark, and stayed healthy through the postseason aside from a pinky finger issue. He then helped the Knicks win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
Boston is chasing the same kind of title-level success in 2026-27, with Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Derrick White giving the Celtics the kind of two-way talent that can carry a deep run. Still, the Knicks’ recent experience with Robinson is a reminder that availability matters just as much as talent once the playoffs arrive.
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