CHICAGO — Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau couldn’t hide his dismay about losing Mitchell Robinson indefinitely to concussion protocol because of a blow to the face — through no fault of the Knicks center.
When Thibodeau was asked Sunday night about the new rules interpretation that doesn’t reward offensive players for fouls on non-basketball moves, Thibodeau paused and said, “Let’s see. There was a concussion.’’
Saturday, Robinson was struck by an elbow to the nose early in the third quarter as Houston’s Jae’Sean Tate laid the ball in. There was no offensive foul, so Thibodeau took the opportunity to take a little shot at the officiating that has allowed more physical play this season as part of this new vision. Thibodeau was also upset, according a person debriefed, that center Nerlens Noel got a bloody nose on an apparent infraction also not whistled.
Robinson did not make the trip to Chicago for the 109-103 loss to the Bulls, leaving Thibodeau in a center dilemma this week because Taj Gibson is out with a groin strain. The Lakers are up next, Tuesday at the Garden.
The Bulls were missing their top center, Nikola Vucevic, out with COVID-19.
“He just has to go through all the protocols,’’ Thibodeau said of Robinson. “When he’s available, he’s available.’’
Noel came back Saturday from a knee sprain and had a strong three-block outing, though he admitted he’s not at 100 percent.
Noel stepped up big time last season and earned a three-year, $32 million deal as a free agent in August. Noel has been mostly hurt this season, but knows he’s needed. Noel played just his sixth game Sunday because of hamstring and knee woes.
“We saw it last year when we went through a long stretch when Mitch was out,’’ Thibodeau said. “Nerlens is comfortable at that role. You can start him or bring him off the bench.’’
Robinson’s return from a broken foot that sidelined him for half of last season has been checkered. He has encountered a series of sprained ankles and tore through a few of his sneakers because of the extra inserts he needs in the shoe to protect him.
Saturday was the second time in three games Robinson had to be removed from a contest and did not return.