Why Mitchell Robinson Is Knicks' X-factor Against Pacers In Eastern Conference Finals

Mitchell Robinson is an anomaly. The Knicks center is currently a backup who has never averaged double figures in scoring during his seven-year career.

In this year’s playoffs, Robinson’s 4.2 points and 6.8 rebounds are pedestrian at best. But when the center is on the floor, he is one of New York’s most important players.

As the Knicks start an Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Townswill get most of the attention. But Robinson’s play could propel New York to the NBA Finals for the first time in 26 years. That’s why he is the Knicks’ X-factor in the series.

In the second round against Boston, Robinson’s play was crucial. The seven-footer was a plus-46 in the series. His play made up for New York’s starting lineup, which was outscored by 9.5 points per 100 possessions against the Celtics in the six games.

Now, the Knicks face a tough opponent in the Pacers. After a 10-15 start to the season, Indiana went 40-17 over the final 57 regular season games and is 8-2 in the playoffs. The Pacers’ offense provides a significant amount of challenges for the Knicks -- Indiana ranks second in offensive efficiency during the postseason.

Where Robinson’s impact will be felt the most is on the defensive end. His ability to be a deterrent at the rim cleans up so much for New York’s defense. In 222 minutes with Robinson on the floor, the Knicks are allowing just 101.3 points per 100 possessions, which would rank first among all 16 playoff teams.

The Knicks can employ a drop coverage defending the pick-and-roll, but Robinson also showed at times that he can defend some perimeter players in isolation on switches. He’s also been able to cover a significant amount of ground, making him more than just a plodding rim-protector. There might be times we see Robinson switched on Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton.

May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) looks to pass after a rebound as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends in the first half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images

Monster on the glass

Robinson is limited offensively, but the havoc the 27-year old causes on the offensive glass could shape this series. The Pacers were 18th in defensive rebound rate during the regular season. The rebounding issue reared its ugly head in Indiana’s lone loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, when the Cavaliers had 18 offensive rebounds.

Robinson has feasted on offensive rebounds his whole career. In the Celtics series, he had 23 offensive caroms in 124 minutes. The big man draws so much attention from the opposition trying to box out, that it opens up extra opportunities for his teammates.

When Robinson was on the floor, the Knicks rebounded 40.2 percent of their misses. That’s a figure that would lead the NBA in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Both the Knicks and Pacers are low turnover teams. Robinson’s excellence in offensive rebounding can help New York win the possession battle and affect the pace of play. Indiana was seventh in pace during the regular season and ranks third in the playoffs.

If Indiana’s players place more effort to prevent Robinson from pursuing misses, the Pacers won’t be able to get out and run as easily.

Look for head coach Tom Thibodeau to go to lineups with both Towns and Robinson on the floor together. In 90 minutes during the playoffs, lineups with the two centers on the floor have outscored opponents by 14.8 points per 100 possessions, according to PBP Stats.

For the Knicks to defeat the Pacers, Robinson’s fingerprints will need to be all over the series as well as the basketballs he rebounds.