Mitchell Robinson missing practice ahead of Game 4 could complicate Knicks’ Joel Embiid plans

PHILADELPHIA — Mitchell Robinson didn’t participate in practice Saturday after re-injuring his surgically-repaired ankle, although Tom Thibodeau wasn’t yet ready to rule out the center from Sunday’s Game 4. 

“The reality is he’ll warm up tomorrow and see where he is,” the coach said. 

Robinson, who missed 50 games in the regular season after fracturing his left ankle, left Thursday’s loss in a walking boot after apparently being hurt while guarding Joel Embiid. 

It’s unclear when exactly Robinson was hurt, but there were multiple dirty plays from Embiid — including him dragging down Robinson from the ground, kicking Robinson in the groin after a jumper and falling on Robinson’s leg after a borderline flop. 

Mitchell Robinson, pictured in Game 3, didn’t practice Saturday. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post The Knicks might need to contain Joel Embiid without Mitchell Robinson in the lineup. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

If Robinson can’t play, the Knicks can use a two-center rotation of Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa — although the latter is undersized compared to Embiid. 

Thibodeau also floated Jericho Sims as a possibility.

Sims has played just two games since March 27. 

“That was one of the great things about our team all year long. Every time one guy went out, another guy came in,” Thibodeau said. “So Precious played well for us. Jericho played well for us. The next guy get in there and get the job team. So it’s a team, we need everybody.”

With Robinson ruled out of the second half of Thursday’s loss, Achiuwa played well in 10 minutes but also picked up three quick fouls.

Mitchell Robinson re-injured his surgically-repaired ankle in Game 3 against the 76ers. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post Tom Thiobdeau didn’t rule out Mitchell Robinson for Game 4, even after he didn’t practice Saturday. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

“First and foremost, I hope we have Mitch. I expect Mitch to play,” Donte DiVincenzo said. “But if he doesn’t, it’s been like that all year. You have Precious, you have Jericho, those guys have been ready all season long.

“So, you know, it’s the next man up mentality and we’ve earned the two seed with Mitch missing 50-plus games. So I expect him to play. I hope he plays and if he doesn’t, we know the next man up.”