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New York Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Mitchell Robinson left feeling ‘like s–t' after long road back ends with Knicks playoff heartbreak
INDIANAPOLIS — A long and arduous road back for Mitchell Robinson led him all the way back to the Knicks' starting lineup in the Eastern Conference finals. It made the way it all ended Saturday that much more painful. 'S–tty, bro. Like s–t,' Robinson described his feelings at his locker following the Knicks' season-ending 125-108 loss to the Pacers in Game 6. 'I don't even got words, to be honest with you. 'Obviously, I didn't play the full year, came back in, what, late February, March and grinded the whole time all the way up to this point. 'I'm happy that we got this far, but I don't know, man. We gave away two [games] at home early, then we were playing out of a hole, and you can't do that.' 3 Mitchell Robinson dunks the ball during the Knicks' 125-108 season-ending Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg Robinson missed the first four months of the regular season following surgery to repair an ankle injury suffered in last year's playoffs. The longest-tenured Knick returned to the starting lineup in Memphis on Feb. 28, and he appeared in 17 regular-season games and all 18 in three rounds of the playoffs. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. With the starting unit struggling defensively at the start of games, Robinson finally was inserted into the starting lineup alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 3 against the Pacers, with Josh Hart moving to a reserve role. The 7-foot Robinson provided eight points on 4-for-4 shooting with nine rebounds and two blocked shots in Game 6, with five of those boards coming on the offensive end, all in the first half. 3 Mitchell Robinson attempts to pull down a rebound during the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers. Charles Wenzelberg 3 Mitchell Robinson greets Tyrese Haliburton after the Knicks' Game 6 loss. Charles Wenzelberg He didn't have as much of a two-way impact in the second half, however, and admitted he 'should've kept my energy up, but I feel like I didn't play to my full potential.' Still, Robinson's unique ability to provide extra possessions for the Knicks on the offensive end helped keep them within four points at halftime despite slow starts by Towns and Jalen Brunson. What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Asked before the game if he still considers himself the best offensive rebounder in the NBA, Robinson replied 'of course' and '[I] still am.' The 27-year-old Robinson, who was drafted by the Knicks in the second round in 2018, has one year remaining on the four-year, $60 million extension he signed in 2022.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Pacers staring down critical free agency decision with staple Myles Turner
INDIANAPOLIS — None of the Knicks' starters are headed for free agency this summer, but the Pacers will have to make a decision on whether to retain one of their longtime staples: starting center Myles Turner. The 10-year career Pacer will become an unrestricted free agent once Indiana's playoff run ends and his $19.9 million-per-year contract expires. Advertisement The Pacers hope to keep Turner, and ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported last week that 'ownership has indicated a willingness to increase spending next season and potentially reenter the luxury tax to keep this core together.' The 29-year-old Turner was held to five points and two rebounds Thursday in Indiana's Game 5 loss to the Knicks after he'd averaged 15.5 points on 53.7 percent shooting over the first four games of the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 6 slated for Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Myles Turner dunks the ball during the Pacers' game against the Knicks on May 23. Jason Szenes for the NY Post Advertisement Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 boards and two blocked shots per game in 72 appearances this season, while shooting a career-high 39.6 percent from 3-point range. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is signed through 2029 after landing an extension worth up to $260 million in 2023. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Myles Turner grabs a rebound during the Pacers' game against the Knicks on May 21. Jason Szenes for the NY Post Advertisement Fellow starters Pascal Siakam (2028), Andrew Nembhard (2028) and Aaron Nesmith (2027) all are under contract for multiple seasons, according to Spotrac. As for exceeding the luxury tax to re-sign the 6-foot-11 Turner, Windhorst also reported earlier in the series that 'rival teams remain skeptical at this point, having for generations seen the Pacers make decisions to avoid the tax penalty, as they monitor the Turner situation. But internally, the Pacers are hoping to be able to keep him without sacrificing their outstanding depth.' Advertisement Veteran guard T.J. McConnell and former Knicks forward Obi Toppin also are signed through 2028, and former lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin is eligible for an extension this summer after the team picked up his $9.18 million option for next season. Turner's current backup, Thomas Bryant, also will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the team holds a $2.9 million option on reserve big man Tony Bradley.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Mitchell Robinson gave Knicks spark they needed in Game 5
The applause was thunderous when Mitchell Robinson was announced as a starter to the Garden crowd for the first time in this year's playoffs. With Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 24 points after coming into Thursday night's game listed as questionable due to a knee contusion suffered late in Game 4 two nights earlier, Robinson also contributed a handful of key plays at both ends of the floor to help the Knicks keep their season alive with a 111-94 victory in Game 5 at MSG. Advertisement Robinson, who replaced Josh Hart in the starting lineup to play alongside Towns in the middle two games in Indiana, finished with six points, six rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal in 20 minutes. 3 Myles Turner and Mitchell Robinson battle for a rebound during the first quarter of the Knicks' 111-94 Game 5 win over Pacers on May 29, 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post Those defensive stats all occurred within a few Indiana possessions in the middle of the third quarter — a rejection of a Tyrese Haliburton drive, another block against Thomas Bryant and a steal off a bad pass by Andrew Nembhard that helped key a 10-0 run that led to a 72-52 lead. Advertisement Robinson also scooped up an offensive rebound for a put-back during that sequence. Asked before the game about sticking with the same lineup for a third straight game, coach Tom Thibodeau replied, 'It's just matchups and what's going on in the game. Sometimes it's impacted by foul trouble as well.' Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. To wit, Towns netted 13 points in the second quarter to register 17 and 10 boards by halftime, but KAT picked up his fourth foul with the Knicks up 72-52 with 6:24 left in the third. Advertisement Pacers coach Rick Carlisle attempted to take advantage by intentionally fouling Robinson with the Hack-a-Mitch strategy employed by the Pistons and the Celtics in the first two rounds. Robinson has shot just 22-for-56 (39.3 percent) from the stripe in 17 postseason appearances this spring. 3 Miles McBride greets Mitchell Robinson during the first quarter of the Knicks' Game 5 win over the Pacers. Jason Szenes / New York Post Robinson missed two free throws with 4:17 left in the quarter, and he was replaced by Precious Achiuwa due to Towns' foul trouble. Advertisement Achiuwa chipped in a bucket in traffic during a 12-0 run that helped stretch the lead to 17 entering the final period. 3 Mitchell Robinson celebrates during the third quarter of the Knicks' Game 5 win over the Pacers. AP Robinson has logged fewer minutes than Hart in each of the three games since the switch by a sizable average of 12 minutes.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks' stifling defense makes Tyrese Haliburton all but disappear
At first, the box score didn't look right. Tyrese Haliburton's numbers were so dramatically different from what they were two nights prior. Advertisement He entered halftime of the Pacers' 111-94 Game 5 loss to the Knicks without a made field goal and just four points off free throws. Haliburton didn't make his first shot until there was 9:40 left in the third quarter. He finished with just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field along with six assists and two rebounds. Advertisement The Knicks' defensive effort against him was night-and-day compared to Game 4, when he erupted for a triple double. 3 Tyrese Haliburton, who was held to just eight points, is closely defended by Jalen Brunson during the Knicks' 111-94 Game 6 win over the Pacers on May 29, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Mikal Bridges, who primarily guarded him again, noticeably picked him up much further up the court, similar to how Pacers defenders have pressured Jalen Brunson. It prevented Haliburton from getting a running start to set up the Pacers offense and got him out of rhythm. Advertisement Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Bridges also did a much better job navigating the countless screens the Pacers set to try and get Haliburton favorable matchups. Delon Wright and Landry Shamet contributed valuable minutes again, particularly in the second quarter. They aggressively pressured Pacers ball-handlers, and their relentless energy was contagious and set a tone for the rest of the defense. Advertisement 3 Tyrese Haliburton shoots over Karl-Anthony Towns during the Knicks' Game 5 win over the Pacers. Getty Images When Shamet forced T.J. McConnell out of bounds for a turnover in the fourth quarter, the Madison Square Garden crowd loudly chanted his name. When he went to the bench earlier in the game, he received booming applause. The Knicks also completely neutralized Aaron Nesmith, who finished with three points on 1-for-8 shooting from the field. 3 New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defends against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton during the third quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Pascal Siakam, who had been brilliant most of the series, was quiet with 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field. In total, Pacers starters were 12-for-38 from the field, good for a brutal 31.6 percent. Mitchell Robinson, after a rough Game 4, was a big part of it. Advertisement He flew around on the defensive end and finished with two blocks and a steal. Even Karl-Anthony Towns, on a balky knee, showed an improved defensive effort. If the Knicks are to continue their comeback in the series, this is the blueprint. Advertisement As the Mandalorian say, this is the way.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Tyrese Haliburton's dad returns to cheer on Pacers — weeks after on-court Giannis Antetokounmpo flap
Tyrese Haliburton's dad was all smiles while attending Game 4 of the Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night in Indianapolis. John Haliburton appeared thrilled to be back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after he missed eight games due to a confrontation with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers eliminated Milwaukee in Game 5 of their first-round series. John, dressed in a bright blue Indy sweatshirt, was spotted raising both of his arms and pointing from a suite. 4 John Halliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, raises his hands from a suite before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, on May 27, 2025. AP The Pacers met with John after he stormed the court and argued with Antetokounmpo, and determined that he would not be attending the team's games for the foreseeable future. That decision was rescinded, though Haliburton still will not attend road games, ESPN reported Monday. 4 John Halliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, raises his hand from a suite before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, on May 27, 2025. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images The Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the first-round series behind Haliburton's go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left in overtime that gave them a series-clinching 119-118 victory in Indianapolis. John walked over to Antetokounmpo and waved a towel with his son's face on it in front of the Bucks star while swearing at him. Tensions heightened when Antetokounmpo approached John, and they exchanged words while going forehead-to-forehead. In his postgame press conference, Antetokounmpo called it 'very disrespectful.' Haliburton said that he wasn't aware of the altercation until he got back to the locker room. He then explained that he spoke with his father, saying he was in the wrong. 4 Tyrese Haliburton's dad, John during a confrontation Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on April 29, 2025. X 'I don't agree with what transpired there from him,' Haliburton said after the incident. 'Basketball is basketball, and let's keep it on the court. I think he just got excited, saw his son make a game winner and came on the court, but we had a conversation. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. 'He needs to just allow me to play basketball and stay over there, and I'll come to him to celebrate. But the emotions of the game got excited there. I talked with him. I'll talk with Giannis. I don't think my pops was in the right at all there.' John later issued a public apology to the organization and Antetokounmpo on social media. 'I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game,' John wrote. 'This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again.' 4 Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates with his father, John Haliburton after winning Round One, Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 29, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images The now viral moment stirred a 'free pops' campaign from Pacers' fans, which the two-time NBA All-Star has referenced during the Eastern Conference finals. John missed the Pacers' second-round series against the Cavaliers and Games 1-3 of the Eastern Conference finals. He was spotted publicly supporting his son and taking in some of the Pacers' playoff games at local Indiana bars, according to videos on social media that showed him getting particularly excited in Game 1 of the ECF when Tyrese sent the game to overtime. Game 5 is set for Thursday night in New York.
