Mitchell Robinson, the New York Knicks center, underwent surgery for a broken right pinky finger ahead of the 2026 NBA Finals, sources confirmed on May 29 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Knicks coach Mike Brown verified the injury required surgery but would not comment on how or exactly when Robinson sustained the fracture, stating, "I don't, obviously, know much about the details... just let me know if he can play and when he can play" [3].

Robinson showed discomfort in his right hand during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, but the Knicks declined to disclose whether the injury occurred in practice or in play [3, 4, 5]. Despite the injury, Robinson plans to appear in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, wearing a protective brace on his right pinky finger, though there is no firm timetable for his full return [4].

During the 2025-26 regular season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes per game [1, 2, 4]. In the 2026 playoffs, his numbers dipped to about 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 14.2 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench in 13 of 14 postseason appearances [1, 2, 4, 6]. Robinson's free throw shooting suffered this postseason; he made just 13 of 43 attempts (30.2%), partially due to the finger injury and the protective brace [1, 2, 4, 5]. Hall of Famer Rick Barry criticized Robinson's free throw form, suggesting he should have switched to underhand shooting, which would lessen the finger's impact, saying "That [broken finger] would be nothing with the underhand free throw because all the feel and the touch comes from the other fingers" [5].

If Robinson is unable to play, the Knicks would likely rely on second-year center Ariel Hukporti to back up star Karl-Anthony Towns [1, 6]. The Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after sweeping both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers during the 2026 playoffs [1, 2, 4, 6].

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 3, when the Knicks will face the winner of the Western Conference Finals [1, 2, 4, 6].