Mitchell Robinson was hurting after his near triple-double performance in Wednesday night's loss to the Grizzlies, logging 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight blocks in 30 minutes of work.
"Man, my back hurts," Robinson said. "Y'all know how strong Steven Adams is? My God."
Adams grabbed 13 rebounds of his own, eight on the offensive glass, but finished with just two points, while Ja Morant struggled to get to the rim all night, with Robinson blocking the Grizzlies star six times, including one on a vicious dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter.
"I knew they were number one in almost any category, especially the paint," Robinson said. "I have to protect the paint. I just went after the ball."
Robinson has been heating up, averaging 10.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 83 percent from the floor in his last 15 contests, 14 of them as a starter. But even still, Robinson doesn't think he has reached his full potential just yet.
"Once I get into shape completely, I'm gonna be a problem," Robinson said.
Conditioning has been the mantra for Robinson all season after recovering from foot surgery over the offseason. Robinson has averaged 26 minutes per game over his last 15 appearances, but is still hoping to get that number up down the stretch of the regular season, while the Knicks ponder a potential contract extension.
In the meantime, Robinson will continue to get his legs under him, although they looked plenty sturdy during Wednesday's block party
"Not all the way," Robinson said of his conditioning. "Close though, like very close to it. just not all the way yet. I honestly feel like I can play a good 40-minute game, but need to get to 48."
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