NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson had a technical foul against him in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, overturned after the league took a look back.
During the Knicks’ thrilling 105-104 victory Friday to extend their series lead to 2-0, Robinson and San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama were involved in a shoving match near the paint, which resulted in a whistle being blown.
But although both players got physical, only Robinson received a technical foul. Both players were trying to jostle for position, but when Wembanyama raised his hands in the air, it was Robinson who fouled.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts to a call in the second quarter during Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
That happened with 4:56 left in the first half and forced Karl-Anthony Towns back into the game.
A technical foul is free throws and possession of the ball, which could have hurt the Knicks in the end. However, they once again stole a game on the road, as they head to Madison Square Garden for their first Finals matchup since 1999 against these same Spurs.
KNICKS CENTER MITCHELL ROBINSON APPEARS TO PLAY GAME 3 IN FRONT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP
The game came down to the final possession, where Wembanyama, who turned the ball over and fouled Jalen Brunson to allow him to hit one of two free throws for the eventual game-winning bucket, missed the final shot and suffered back-to-back losses.
Robinson was defending Wembanyama during the play, but when the 7-foot-4 big man attempted the shot, he had a clear look. However, it came off the rim and bounced back. Devin Vassell secured the rebound for San Antonio, but there was not enough time left on the clock despite his angled shot.
Robinson ended up playing 14 minutes for the Knicks, totaling seven points, three rebounds, a block and a steal in that span.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama drives as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson defends during the first half in Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on June 5, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
So far, he has played these finals games with a surgically repaired little finger on his right hand, which reportedly happened at his home just days before the Spurs game. The Knicks had some 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, being one of the key bench players who has made an impact this year. Not only does he spell Towns when he’s tired or in trouble, but Robinson also does well protecting the paint, grabbing rebounds and occasionally slamming the house.
The Spurs, however, used the “Hack-A-Mitch” game plan when Towns was in foul trouble and they were trying to make a point in the second quarter of Game 2. Going into the team bonus deliberately, a foul on Robinson allowed him two free throws, but he struggled at a historic rate. 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 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 5, 2026. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
This will likely be used by Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson if the opportunity presents itself again, but both teams have certainly been physical to start these Finals. But the NBA decided that a technicality on Robinson shouldn’t have been the call, and fortunately for the Knicks, that didn’t factor into the victory at the end of the game.
