Knicks rookie center Mitchell Robinson is ready to play for the first time in over a month from a sprained ankle and strained groin.
Robinson is available for Thursday's game in London against the Washington Wizards after he practiced on Wednesday and went through Thursday morning shootaround, according to Newsday's Steve Popper.
"I expect rust, but we got to get it off of him," head coach David Fizdale said, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "He's missed a big chunk of the season -- a very important chunk for his development. The faster we can get it off of him and get him playing, the better."
Robinson had not played since Dec. 14, missing New York's last 13 games due to a sprained ankle. He strained his groin last week slipping on a practice court during the Knicks' road trip, which delayed his return.
Fizdale said he would probably play the 20-year-old Robinson in four- or five-minute stretches to ease him back into the regular rotation.
In the 13 games Robinson has missed, the Knicks have allowed at least 110 points 11 times, including 131 points to the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 19, tied for the most New York has allowed in a regulation game this season.
The Knicks went 1-12 without Robinson, but he hopes he can make a difference.
"I'll definitely be able to add a little positivity to the team," said Robinson, who has averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 28 games this season. "I think our defense will be OK. We've got to talk better. Our communication can get low and I can bring that up and we should be fine."