The New York Knicks could be without a key physical presence in their frontcourt for the foreseeable future.
Centre Mitchell Robinson has suffered a broken right pinky finger, and there is no timetable for his return, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday.
It is unclear when Robinson sustained the injury. Although there was speculation that it occurred on the court, Knicks head coach Mike Brown told reporters on Friday that the injury did not happen during practice or a game. There were no specifics provided beyond that.
It puts the seven-footer's status in doubt for the NBA Finals, where the Knicks are set to return for the first time since losing to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. According to Charania, however, Robinson underwent surgery on the broken finger earlier in the week and "fully plans to play" in Game 1 of the NBA Finals next Wednesday, while wearing a brace.
Robinson, 28, averaged 19.6 minutes, 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over 60 games with the Knicks this season. His 4.2 offensive rebounds per game and 72.3 per cent from the field were both top-five marks in the league.
However, Robinson's been less of a factor in the playoffs, averaging 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 14.2 minutes.
The Knicks haven't won an NBA championship since 1973. They will play the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Spurs' Western Conference Finals matchup.
