A year and a half ago, Mitchell Robinson more or less single-handedly swung the Boston Celtics playoff series against them. His offensive rebounding kept the New York Knicks in games they had no business winning, especially since they were down by 20 points or more in two consecutive games and still wound up winning.
That's the kind of player the Celtics had in mind when they signed him during the offseason. Not only should he provide game-changing offensive rebounding, but he should also be a lob threat, shot-blocker, and defensive playmaker. At least, that's what everyone thought when he arrived in Boston, but we haven't really seen it.
Robinson got the starting nod coming into the season, but the results have not been pretty. In a four-game sample size, the Celtics have a net rating of minus-35 when he's on the floor, which is the worst on the team. Making it look worse is the fact that the Celtics have been plus-25.8 with Neemias Queta on the floor (only Sam Hauser has been better among their consistent rotation players).
Last night was a golden opportunity for Robinson to show why the Celtics added him. In a game in which it took the Celtics until midway through the third quarter to start hitting threes, Robinson's reputation would have shined through, but nope. He corralled two offensive rebounds while posting a plus-minus of minus-17 in a game the Celtics won by one.
By contrast, Luka Garza posted a plus-minus of plus-18. Yikes. Boston was able to make up for it thanks to the efforts of Jayson Tatum and Jordan Walsh, but last night was Robinson's golden chance to prove why they brought him in.
Maybe Robinson's ankle is bothering him more than we know
The game tape will show that Robinson's lift hasn't been great, and there have been multiple points where it looks like even he's surprised that they threw him the ball. It just doesn't look like the same player who sent the Celtics home in 2025.
We must remember that Robinson got hurt not too long after the Celtics season started against the Pistons. He sprained his ankle just a few minutes into Opening Day, which could explain his mobility issues.
It is also possible that starting him simply is not a good idea. Robinson thrived as much as he did with the Knicks because they had him coming off the bench. Having his presence in second units could help him feel a lot more at home should that prove to be the better fit, like it has before.
At times like these, it's hard not to notice Robinson's struggles when Queta's outplaying him, Garza's bringing the energy Robinson was supposed to, and Paul George has exceeded expectations in spite of the backlash to trading for him.
It's a long season, but Robinson's leash as Boston's starting center is starting to get shorter.
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