The Celtics will face some stiff challenges in the Eastern Conference this year but one top rival will be without a key starter for the start of the regular season. Knicks center Mitchell Robinson will be sidelined for the first two months of the year according to a report from Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports.
Robinson underwent ankle surgery in May and his recovery process is expected to drag into December or January according to Weitzman. Robinson also underwent surgery on his ankle last December and has durability issues throughout his career, appearing in just 90 games over the past two seasons.
The Knicks are expected to rely heavily on Robinson in their front court this year following the free agency departure of Isaiah Hartenstein to the Thunder. New York lacks many appealing reserve options behind the veteran seven-footer entering this year with Precious Achiwua and Jericho Sims currently serving as the top reserve bigs on the roster. Without Robinson available, the Knicks may end up playing a smaller lineup look for much of the early season with starting power forward Julius Randle spending some time at center. Randle is expected to be ready for opening night after missing much of last year due to shoulder surgery.
The Celtics will face the Knicks on opening night at TD Garden on Oct. 22 without their starting center Kristaps Porzingis who is expected to be sidelined until at least December as he recovers from leg surgery. Boston won’t matchup with New York again until February so both teams will have a better chance of having their front court intact for the final three regular season matchups of the year. The Knicks will be facing an uphill battle though to keep pace with the defending champions in the first two months of the regular season with a depleted frontline.
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