A key detail that generated questions during the playoffs was Robinson’s injury timeline. During the break between the Eastern Conference finals and the championship series, he underwent surgery to repair a fractured fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand. The Knicks confirmed the injury did not occur in a game or practice, but offered few other specifics. Robinson was listed as questionable for Game 1 of the Finals, and the mystery around the injury lingered throughout the series.
Recently, Robinson provided a full account of what happened. He shared a detailed narrative explaining the sequence of events that led to the injury, highlighting personal challenges that went beyond basketball. After the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, Robinson returned home to New York and learned that his youngest brother had been in a serious car accident.
On social media, Robinson described the emotional moment: as the eldest sibling, he felt a deep concern and began making frantic calls and messages. When he FaceTimed his brother, he feared the worst. He described his brother as unresponsive and wearing a neck brace, an image that left him overwhelmed with guilt and concern for his family miles away. In a moment of frustration, he struck his hand against his truck, leading to a fractured metacarpal that required surgery just days before the Finals.
Robinson emphasized the importance of understanding someone’s circumstances before passing judgment, noting that life is unpredictable and it is how we respond to challenges that truly matters.
Despite the adversity, Robinson played through the Finals with his right hand wrapped. His minutes were limited partly due to a deliberate strategy by the Spurs to target his free-throw shooting, but when he was on the floor, he made meaningful contributions. He averaged 13.4 minutes per game across the five-game series and delivered performances that went beyond the box score.
Notably, in Game 2, Robinson defended Victor Wembanyama on the final possession, forcing a missed shot that helped secure a Knicks win and a 2-0 series lead. In the decisive Game 5, he grabbed a crucial offensive rebound that helped seal the championship.
Robinson’s resilience stood out: days after undergoing surgery and carrying the emotional weight of his brother’s accident, he still found a way to contribute when it mattered most. He later wrote, after consulting with doctors, that he regained the confidence to play and to help his team win the title, proclaiming, “2026 NBA CHAMPS.”
Final word for the Celtics: Robinson arrives in Boston with a championship pedigree, a substantial contract, and a personal story that became public only after the championship run. His performance in the playoffs demonstrated his willingness to push through adversity, and his presence adds a veteran contributor who can impact the rotation in meaningful ways. With the contract now official, the Celtics add a player who proved his value when it counted, both on and off the court.
