Mitchell Robinson had been grappling with the same thought that had crossed the minds of Knicks fans throughout the season: When would he finally sink two consecutive free throws?
It had been a long wait—nearly seven months since Robinson last stood at the free throw line and flawlessly executed two shots in a row. His last success was during Game 4 of the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers on May 27. Since then, Robinson hit a dry spell, going 0-for-2 in Game 5 and not attempting a single foul shot in Game 6. His performance from the free throw line had been dismal, hitting only 8 out of 33 attempts—a disappointing 24 percent—across the first 17 games of the season and three preseason matchups. Despite frequent trips to the line, he consistently failed to capitalize on both opportunities.
“Hell yeah, it’s aggravating,” Robinson admitted following the Knicks’ 116-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “I was talking to myself about that. I’m like, ‘When am I gonna make two in a row?’ I been making one, missing one like s–t.”
However, Friday’s game at Madison Square Garden marked a turning point. While the Knicks remain cautious in their optimism, hoping this signals a lasting improvement in Robinson’s free throw performance, they understand that such progress isn’t guaranteed.
In a remarkable display, the Knicks’ defensive stalwart managed to sink seven out of eight free throws against the 76ers, setting a personal record for the most free throws made in a single NBA game. Philadelphia’s head coach, Nick Nurse, attempted a common strategy, choosing to intentionally foul Robinson with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter, aiming to disrupt the Knicks’ offensive rhythm by sending their weakest free throw shooter to the line.
Yet, Robinson was prepared for the challenge. He confidently made both shots and, with a sense of triumph, pointed at Nurse as he jogged back on defense, signaling his small victory in an ongoing battle with the free throw line.
“I’m tryna stop everyone from doing that, hacking me and s–t, so that’s kinda the main goal,” he said after the game. “‘Cause I wanna be able to play the fourth quarter. The longer I’m out there, the more I can help my teammates.”
Head coach Mike Brown first credits Robinson.
It’s his buy-in, his work that produced seven makes in eight attempts amid a miserable free throw shooting season. Brown then credits the help: assistant coaches Peter Patton and Mark Bryant. Patton notably helped Josh Hart shoot nearly 40% from three-point range to start this season — a welcome sight for a player working through a finger injury on his shooting hand.
“Peter’s done a great job with him. Mark’s done a great job with him, but more importantly, Mitch is bought into what they’re trying to work with him on when it comes to free throw shooting,” said Brown. “It’s good to see. Any time you can see positive results, that breeds confidence, not just in the individual but also in the rest of the group. So it was good for him tonight to do that.”
Robinson said he’s sticking to the game day routine that produced his career night from the foul line. He’s also ditching the line drive shooting motion.
“We’ve just been working on a lot of arc on the free throws,” he said. “We went in there this morning actually like 10 AM — early as s–t — but it paid off tonight. So I guess we’re gonna put that in the routine now.”
Robinson also said he’s changed the mechanics of his foul shot.
“It feels way more comfortable,” he said. “Getting my elbow under it. Getting it up in the air a little more. It’s been great.”
His teammate, Josh Hart, can only tell one difference in the Robinson’s free throw flow.
“Aye man. I just see the ball go in,” Hart said. “That’s all the difference for me.”
The Knicks believe this kind of performance has been long overdue. Hart, for example, didn’t need to give Robinson any words of encouragement.
“I ain’t say a damn thing to him,” he said. “He’s been working, going early, getting shots up, staying late, getting free throws. His hard work’s paying off.”
Second-year guard Tyler Kolek said he knew things would turn for the embattled rim protector at some point.
“I mean, it was due. We’ve seen him working hard with our shooting coach, Peter Patton,” said Kolek. “He’s in the gym every day, putting in work, trying to get better.
“With him, it’s all a mindset thing. He’s got all the touch on those offensive rebounds. So it’s just a mindset thing. Get his touch there on the free throw line.”
Time will tell whether or not Robinson’s touch from the foul line will last beyond Friday’s performance against the 76ers. The Knicks, however, are more process than results-oriented, and they’re liking the process that yielded a career free throw night.
“He’s working. He’s concentrating, and he’s seeing the progress in his work,” said team captain Jalen Brunson. “And he’s gonna continue to work and get better at it, and I”m very happy for him. I’m proud of him. He’s just gotta continue it.”
Whether or not Robinson’s free throws fall, the Knicks know he’s going to be dominant in his minutes on the floor. He finished with a season-high 21 points and 16 rebounds in 26 minutes of action on Friday, the longest stretch of his early season, in part because he bought himself more playing time by nailing his foul shots.
“It’s very, very important. Mitch is gonna be impactful whether the ball is going in for him or not,” Brunson said. “That’s who he is as a player. That’s who he is as a teammate, and he’s gonna find ways to impact the game. And when that [him making free throws] is happening for us as well, we’ve gotta capitalize and try and win games.”
“It felt great,” added Robinson. “But that doesn’t mean too much because we lost.”
