Mitchell Robinson makes long-awaited Knicks return as they get needed frontcourt boost

MEMPHIS — Mitchell Robinson is back. After roughly 10 months on the shelf, the longest-tenured Knick was active as a reserve for Friday night’s game against the Grizzlies.His return arrived with the Knicks in desperate need of frontcourt and defensive help, with just one other natural center on the roster — Karl-Anthony Towns — and injuries starting to pile up as the season approaches the final quarter pole. The expectation is Robinson operates under a tight minutes restriction with the hope of staying healthy and peaking for the playoffs.

He’s got less than two months to develop chemistry with new teammates, regain his defensive rhythm and, perhaps most importantly given Robinson’s history, reach a conditioning level that will keep him on the court and promote health. “It’ll be short stints for a while,” Tom Thibodeau said. What does the coach expect from Robinson? “First game back so it’s hard to say, games are different than practices,” he said. Robinson, who has undergone multiple surgeries to both his feet areas, represents the Knicks’ top rim protector and offensive rebounder — two areas that have fallen off a cliff for the team this season. His ability to play alongside Towns — much like the Timberwolves did with Rudy Gobert — could unlock a much higher defensive ceiling, attaching greater anticipation and expectations for his return.The Knicks entered Friday ranked No.

21 in defense and No.22 in offensive rebounds per game. They were top-four in offensive rebounds per game in the last three seasons. The front office also banked on Robinson’s big impact by standing pat at the trade deadline, believing Robinson was better than what was available as frontcourt depth pieces in the market.

Robinson’s availability became more pressing after news Friday that rookie center Ariel Hukporti is out for the season with a torn meniscus.“[Robinson] brings a ton defensively,” Miles McBride said.“Overall, the whole team,...