Already down against the Pistons in Wednesday night's game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the Knicks suffered another blow when they lost one of their key contributors.

In the first half, Mitchell Robinson went to the locker room and did not return after an apparent injury -- replay showed he took and elbow to his head in the first quarter but did not depart until the second quarter.

The Knicks later revealed that the second-year center exited with concussion-like symptoms.

Robinson posted six points, four rebounds and an assist while shooting 3 for 4 from the field in eight minutes.

He got the start at center after second-year head coach David Fizdale shuffled lineup Sunday and went with fourth-year forward Bobby Portis in Robinson's place before the Knicks' 113-92 home loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The Knicks fell 122-102 to the Pistons (4-5), in a game that featured more of the same from the weekend.

Fizdale did not offer an update on Robinson after the game, but the Knicks (1-7) missed their 7-foot rim protector as Pistons center Andre Drummond dropped a double-double on 27 points and 12 rebounds.

"It's huge because he had a great start to the game," Fizdale said of Robinson. "And obviously, he's our best defensive big. Not having him against Drummond was a big blow."

Rookie guard RJ Barrett, who posted 15 points and eight assists in the loss, echoed Fizdale's sentiments.

"Tough," Barrett said of losing Robinson. "He's very big for us, especially ... protecting the rim. Once he went out, it was kind of tough for us, but hoping he can get back soon."

Through the first six games (five starts), Robinson entered Wednesday averaging 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 19.2 minutes per game.

Popular in the Community