Mitchell Robinson’s discouraging free-throw returns keeping him on Knicks bench in crunch time
ORLANDO, Fla. — Mike Brown is keeping faith that Mitchell Robinson will eventually hit foul shots.
But until that happens — or maybe even after that happens — the coach said Robinson isn’t expected to play much down the stretch of close contests.
“Obviously, he’s got to make free throws. We have a rotation and most times in the rotation at the end of games Josh [Hart] is going to be out there [at power forward],” Brown said. “So [Robinson] won’t be out there a ton, but if we need a rebound, he’s going to be out there.
“And he’s got to knock down the free throws. And he’s working at it, we’re working at it with him, and I truly believe he’s going to get better.”
The sample size is small (just nine attempts), but Robinson converted just 22.6 percent of his foul shots this season.
Mitchell Robinson takes a free throw during the Knicks-Heat game on Nov. 17, 2025. Getty Images
It’s a discouraging start after opposing coaches fouled him on purpose in last season’s playoffs, exposing Robinson’s greatest flaw.
Robinson altered his foul-shooting routine before this season by taking one dribble instead of three, but the results are moving backward.
In Wednesday’s nip-and-tuck victory over the Mavericks, Robinson was subbed in with 22 seconds remaining for a defensive possession.
He grabbed the rebound and was quickly fouled by the Mavericks, then proceeded to brick a pair of free throws.
Luckily for the Knicks, who also got missed foul shots from Landry Shamet and Jalen Brunson down the stretch, the Mavericks failed to capitalize.
“Prior to our last game, we were probably top five in free-throw percentage,” Brown said. “It was just one of those games.”
Amid an overall positive start to the season, Mikal Bridges’ production and efficiency have fallen off a cliff in fourth quarters.
He implied that a lack of opportunities is to blame.
Mikal Bridges’ production and efficiency have fallen off a cliff in fourth quarters. NBAE via Getty Images
“It’s just the opportunity that comes,” Bridges said. “It’s usually what it is — [whether] the ball finds me. I think if you watch, if it doesn’t find me, it’s just in the offense and trying to figure it out. And sometimes, it happens like that, the game does that.”
To underscore the discrepancy, here’s a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Bridges’ averages this season:
- 1st quarter: 9.3 minutes, 4.4 points, 55% shooting, 42.1% on 3s
- 2nd quarter: 8.8 minutes, 4.9 points, 59.2% shooting, 50% on 3s
- 3rd quarter: 9.4 minutes, 4.2 points, 47.8% shooting, 39.3% on 3s
- 4th quarter: 8.2 minutes, 2.8 points, 36% shooting, 33.3% on 3s
