PHILADELPHIA — Mitchell Robinson limped out of Wells Fargo Center with a walking boot protecting his surgically repaired left ankle in an unwanted development that could shift the Knicks’ first-round series against Joel Embiid and the 76ers.
Robinson was in the lineup after being listed as questionable for Game 3, but the super-important center didn’t make it back to the court after halftime of the Knicks’ loss due to what the team termed a sprained left ankle.
It is unclear exactly when Robinson re-injured himself in the first half, but Embiid notably was charged with a flagrant foul — and could have been ejected — for pulling on Robinson’s lower right leg while down on the floor during a dunk attempt in the first quarter.
“We’re just happy Mitch didn’t get a serious injury on that. I’m all for tough fouls, tough, playoff fouls, but that’s something that can put a guy out for a significant amount of time. So we’re lucky he didn’t get seriously hurt during that play,” teammate Josh Hart said. “It’s extremely tough. Obviously he’s someone that’s a big part of this team and a big part of our team identity. So it’s a bummer to see.
“We hope he’s good, but we have the next-man-up mentality.”
Robinson and starter Isaiah Hartenstein each committed three fouls in the first half, and Robinson was visibly limping during his stint off the bench in the second quarter before he was announced by the Knicks as unavailable for the remainder of the game at the start of the third.
Robinson had averaged just 15.5 minutes per game in 10 appearances after returning in late March from December ankle surgery, but he had an active series opener with eight points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 30 minutes.
Embiid, who had said after Game 2 that the Sixers were “the better team” and would “win the series,” scored 50 points, including 19 of 21 from the free-throw line.
He was assessed a flagrant foul in the first quarter when he clutched Robinson’s right leg to prevent a dunk attempt after Embiid had fallen to the floor.
“I was trying to make sure he doesn’t land on me,” Embiid said. “It’s unfortunate because I didn’t mean to hurt anybody.”
Embiid also was charged with an offensive foul for kneeing Hartenstein in the groin while driving to the hoop, one of his three personal fouls before halftime.
Precious Achiuwa, who didn’t get into either of the first two games of the series in New York, entered the game with 3:10 to go before halftime, and he immediately altered a shot by Embiid.
With Robinson sidelined, Achiuwa scored four points in 10 minutes.
Even before the playoffs, his playing time had decreased upon the returns from injury of Robinson and OG Anunoby.
“It’s always difficult when he’s out,” Hartenstein said about Robinson. “I think together we’re probably the best center duo in the league right now. So when he’s out it’s a little frustrating, especially because I was in foul trouble. I think Precious came in and did a good job. We just have to do a better job and be more physical.”