Despite the Knicks' loss to the 76ers on Friday, there was one bright spot for New York.
Mitchell Robinson had his best offensive performance of the season in the team's 116-107 loss at MSG, and the big man has the free-throw line to thank for his offensive explosion.
Entering Friday's game, Robinson was 6-for-27 in the regular season from the charity stripe. He eclipsed that mark in one night, going 7-for-8 in his 21-point performance against Philadelphia.
"He’s been working hard at it. It’s a process," head coach Mike Brown said of Robinson's free throws after the game. "[Shooting coach] Peter Patton, Mark Bryant has done a great job with him, but more importantly, Mitch has bought into what they are trying to work with him on when it comes to free-throw shooting.
"It’s good to see, anytime you can see positive results, it breeds confidence not just in the individual but also in the rest of the group. It’s good for him tonight to do that."
Robinson's teammates also acknowledged the work he's been putting in.
"He’s been working, going early, getting his shots up," Josh Hart said of his teammate. "His hard work is paying off."
"It was due, we seen him working hard with our shooting coach Peter Patton. He's in the gym everyday, shooting free throws, trying to get better," Tyler Kolek said. "He’s got all the touch on the offensive rebounds and stuff, so just a mindset to get his touch at the free-throw line."
"He’s working, he’s concentrating, and he’s seeing the progress on his work," Jalen Brunson added. "Very happy for him, very proud of him. Just gotta have to continue it."
Robinson said the coaches have had him change his shot, specifically putting more arc on the ball instead of the line drives that fans are used to seeing. He got up at 10 a.m. Friday to get in some practice before the game, and, despite Robinson admitting it's too early for him, it paid off. Robinson says his early-morning shooting will be part of his gameday routine.
"Feel way more comfortable, getting my elbow in the air a little more," Robinson explained. "It’s been great."
Robinson had never hit seven free throws in a game before. He even made 76ers head coach Nick Nurse pay for utilizing the hack-a-Mitch strategy in the third quarter. Robinson knocked down both free throws and even motioned toward the Sixers bench.
"I’m trying to stop everybody from hacking and s***. That's the main goal," Robinson said. "I want to play the fourth quarter. The longer I'm out there, the longer I can help my teammates."
Robinson gave the Knicks all he had and they needed it. The grueling schedule this week took its toll on the Knicks. OG Anunoby and Hart scored a combined seven points and Brunson was off. Despite scoring 22 points, the Knicks guard was just 7-for-22 from the field and 1-for-7 from three.
With the usual offensive pieces unable to score, Robinson's contributions were massive.
"Mitch is going to be impactful whether the ball’s going in for him or not. That’s who he is as a player and a teammate," Brunson said. "He’s going to find ways to impact the game. When that’s happening to us as well, we have to try and capitalize and try to win games."
Not only did Robinson find paydirt at the line, but he also scored a season-high 21 points and had his first double-double of the year, after coming down with 16 rebounds. He also had two blocks, one steal, and an assist.
"Just the energy, my teammates. They were penetrating and stuff like that and I was just trying to help there," Robinson said of his performance. "For me, it’s just help my team, help us have a better chance at winning."
And although Robinson feels good after his best game of the season, the win would have made it mean more. He'll have his chance to help the Knicks get back in the win column when they welcome the Heat to the Garden on Sunday.