Mitchell Robinson revealed that a hand injury affecting his availability for the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals opener stemmed from an incident in which he punched a truck amid concerns over his younger brother’s health. The injury occurred shortly after the Knicks’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Robinson, who recently agreed to leave the Knicks and join the Boston Celtics, detailed the circumstances in a Facebook post. He explained that upon returning to New York after Game 4, he received news that his youngest brother had been involved in a serious car accident. The distressing situation prompted Robinson, the eldest sibling, to reach out urgently to family members. During a FaceTime call, Robinson saw his brother wearing a neck brace and unresponsive, which led him to fear for his brother’s life.

In his post, Robinson described his emotional response, saying he broke down in tears and felt helpless due to the physical distance separating them. In a moment of frustration, he punched his truck, resulting in the knuckle injury that left his status uncertain for the Finals opener. The injury was initially reported as a broken bone, but Robinson clarified that it was specifically a knuckle injury not sustained during on-court play, as confirmed by Knicks coach Mike Brown.

Robinson emphasized the importance of understanding people’s personal challenges before passing judgment, noting the unexpected difficulties he faced throughout the season. He also mentioned the significant personal sacrifices he made, including spending less time with his daughter, to focus on helping lead the Knicks to their first NBA title in 53 years.

The 24-year-old center indicated that he had consulted with medical professionals about his injury and acknowledged the complexities of his mental health struggles during the season, highlighting the impact of family concerns alongside the demands of professional basketball.