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New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson had a technical foul against him from Game 2 of the NBA Finals after the league took a look back.
During the Knicks’ 105-104 thrilling victory Friday to push their series lead to 2-0, Robinson and San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama were involved in a shoving match near the paint that resulted in a whistle.
But despite both players getting physical, only Robinson picked up a technical foul. Both players tried to battle for position, but when Wembanyama threw his hands in the air, it was Robinson who was fouled.
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New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts to a call in the second quarter during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
This came with 4:56 left in the first half and required Karl-Anthony Towns to come back into the game.
A technical foul is free throw and possession, which could have hurt the Knicks in the end. But they once again stole a game on the road as they head to Madison Square Garden for their first Finals game since 1999 against the same Spurs.
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The game came down to the final possession when Wembanyama, who turned the ball over and beat Jalen Brunson to allow him to hit one of two free throws for the eventual game-winning bucket, missed the final shot to suffer back-to-back losses.
Robinson defended Wembanyama on the play, but when the 7-foot-4 man went to shoot, he had a clear look. However, it knocked off the rim and jumped out. Devin Vassell secured the rebound for San Antonio, but there wasn’t enough time left on the clock despite his shot hitting.
Robinson ended up playing 14 minutes for the Knicks, tallying seven points, three rebounds, a block and a steal across the board.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama drives as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson defends during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on June 5, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
He has played these finals games so far with a surgically repaired pinky finger on his right hand, which reportedly happened at his home just days before tip-off against Spurs. The Knicks had time to kill after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Robinson plays a key role for head coach Mike Brown’s team as he is one of the key bench players to make an impact this year. Not only does he spell Towns when he’s tired or in foul trouble, but Robinson also does well to protect the paint, grab rebounds and slam the occasional alley-oop.
However, the Spurs used the “Hack-A-Mitch” game plan when Towns got into foul trouble and they tried to make a run in the second quarter of Game 2. Intentionally getting into the team bonus, fouling Robinson awarded him two free throws, but he has struggled at a historic pace. Robinson is shooting just 32% (16-50) from the charity stripe in 15 games.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 5, 2026. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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It will likely be used by Spurs manager Mitch Johnson if the opportunity presents itself again, but both teams have certainly been physical to begin this final. But the NBA decided that a technical on Robinson shouldn’t have been the call, and luckily for the Knicks, it didn’t factor in the win at the end of the contest.
