Mitchell Robinson was always likely to leave the New York Knicks this summer, but he surprisingly chose to sign with their rivals, the Boston Celtics. While Robinson has largely gotten a warm reception from Celtics fans, the signing hasn’t convinced everyone.
A fan commented on the Celtics’ latest Instagram post about Robinson, saying he’d better be great or he’ll be remembered for missing free throws against them. The comment came to the 28-year-old’s attention, and he didn’t hesitate to clap back.
“That’s cool, still sent that a** home, remember that,” Robinson replied.
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This was hilarious, but Celtics fans might not find it too funny. This probably isn’t the best approach if you want to endear yourself to the fanbase.
Robinson was, of course, referring to when the Knicks shockingly eliminated the Celtics in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2025. They were the clear underdogs heading into that series, but two stunning 20-point comeback victories in Games 1 and 2 set the stage for the upset.
The Celtics notably employed the “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy at various points in that series, intentionally fouling Robinson to send him to the line. He is a pretty terrible free-throw shooter, and they wanted to exploit that.
Robinson would end up going an atrocious 45.2% (14-31) from the line in the series, even putting up one airball. He had shot a career-best 68.4% during the regular season, but didn’t come close to hitting that number against the Celtics.
Robinson would, though, go 6-6 from the line in Game 5. The Knicks had been blown out 127-102 that night, but that was a big positive to come out of it. The Celtics would still try the strategy again at the start of Game 6, but that contest got away from them very quickly.
The Knicks won 119-81 to knock the Celtics out and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. It was the Indiana Pacers who had eliminated them in six games back then, and history would repeat itself in 2025.
It was a disappointing series defeat, but the Knicks got back to the Conference Finals in 2026. It was the Cleveland Cavaliers standing in their way this time, and they’d sweep them to get to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Just like back then, it was the San Antonio Spurs whom the Knicks faced in the Finals. The Spurs had beaten them in five games in 1999, but the roles were reversed in 2026. The Knicks won in five games to clinch their first NBA title since 1973.
Robinson averaged 3.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in the Finals. The Spurs used the “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy at times as well, and he shot a woeful 26.7% (4-15) from the line. Fortunately, it didn’t cost the Knicks.
Robinson’s poor free-throw shooting is definitely a problem, but he still provides value with his rebounding and defense. That’s why the Celtics signed him to a three-year, $47.4 million deal in free agency. Robinson did make it clear he didn’t want to leave the Knicks, so his heart still seems to be with the team he spent the first eight seasons of his career with. He will give his all for the Celtics, though, and should prove to be a good pickup.
