Mitchell Robinson to return by the playoffs?

Mitchell Robinson may be back in time for the playoffs. The NBA denied the Knicks’ request for a Disabled Player Exception this week, leaving the organization optimistic that Robinson can return from his ankle injury late in the regular season. Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle in a Dec. 8 loss at the Boston Celtics. The injury required surgery. Initially, the Knicks said Robinson would be re-evaluated in eight to 10 weeks. Shortly after the surgery, some with the Knicks feared that Robinson could miss the entire season. So New York’s front office applied for a Disabled Player Exception. This was done out of due diligence and due to uncertainty around Robinson’s return. The exception would have been granted if NBA doctors felt Robinson was likely to be sidelined through June 15. If granted, the Knicks would have had a $7.8 million exception to use in trades. But league doctors didn’t find sufficient evidence to suggest Robinson might be out for six months, league sources confirmed. The news was first reported by ESPN.
Source: Ian Begley @ SportsNet New York