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New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson defends his collision with Kyle Lowry

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Mitchell Robinson #26 of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Mitchell Robinson #26 of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Amid the New York Knicks loss to the Toronto Raptors, Mitchell Robinson was involved in a controversial play that injured Kyle Lowry.

When Mitchell Robinson plays well, he shines brighter than any current player on the New York Knicks. His blocked shots and alley-oops excite fans, but there are downsides to his game, for now, as a relatively inexperienced player.

Part of it attributes to being a foul-prone player. Robinson fouled out in Monday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, which marked his NBA-high eighth time he’s reached six fouls in a season.

One of those fouls happened on Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, as the two players collided in the middle of the court. The young Knicks center fell and hit into Lowry’s right ankle, leaving him on the floor, in pain.

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, Lowry called the play “a little bit dirty,” but otherwise questioned the intent:

"“I think it was a little bit dirty,” Lowry said. “He grabbed me, pulled me down. He’s a young kid so I don’t know if he did it on purpose or not, but I think he’ll learn his lesson next time and be a little bit more careful.”"

Robinson defended himself on Twitter and apologized for what happened, in response to Lowry’s words:

This should end any bad blood until Thursday, March 28, when the Knicks and Raptors face off for the final time this season. It’s not like baseball, where pitchers throw 95 MPH baseballs at each other for retribution, but Toronto has Marc Gasol down low. Could he play a bit more aggressively against New York’s 2018 second-round pick? Could words exchange early and often?

Any time lost with Lowry is important for the Raptors, who sit second in the Eastern Conference. The playoffs are less than one month away, so they obviously need him healthy for its start, with the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics among the teams jockeying for position.

Meanwhile, as Lowry said, it’s another learning experience for Robinson in his rookie season. The next one, which he had controlled for a while, is foul trouble. If he can control that, the Knicks have their starting center for the next decade.

Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark

At 20-years-old, the development process is early and he will grow as a player. How much remains to be seen, but experiences will follow along the way to make this talent one of the game’s most intriguing young big men.

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