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New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson had a technical foul overturned in Game 2 of the NBA Finals after the league looked back.
During the Knicks’ thrilling 105-104 victory on Friday to push the 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.
But even though both players got physical, only Robinson received a technical foul. Both players were trying to fight for position, but when Wembanyama raised his hands in the air, Robinson was the one who was fouled.
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New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts to a call in the second quarter during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Image Images)
This occurred with 4:56 left in the first half and required Karl-Anthony Towns to return to 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 game since 1999 against these same Spurs.
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The game came down to the final possession, where Wembanyama, who fumbled and fouled Jalen Brunson to allow him to score one of two free throws for the eventual game-winning goal, missed the final shot and suffered back-to-back losses.
Robinson was guarding Wembanyama on the play, but when the 7-foot-4 big man tried to shoot, he had a clear look. However, it collided with the rim and rebounded. Devin Vassell secured the rebound for San Antonio, but there was not enough time left on the clock despite centering his shot.
Robinson ended up playing 14 minutes for the Knicks, tallying 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 of Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on June 5, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
He has been playing these Finals games so far with a surgically repaired pinky finger on his right hand, which reportedly happened at his home just days before kickoff against the Spurs. The Knicks had plenty of time 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 main bench players who has made an impact this year. Not only is Towns a charm when he’s tired or gets into foul trouble, but Robinson also does well to protect the paint, grab rebounds and score the occasional alley-oop.
The Spurs, however, used the “Hack-A-Mitch” game plan when Towns got into foul trouble and were trying to make a run in the second quarter of Game 2. Intentionally going into the team bonus, fouling Robinson earned him two free throws, but he has struggled at a historic rate. Robinson is shooting just 32% (16-50) from the charity stripe through 15 games.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson will likely take advantage of it if the opportunity arises again, but both teams have certainly been physical to start these Finals. But the NBA decided that a technical on Robinson should not have been the decision and, fortunately for the Knicks, it did not factor into the victory at the end of the game.
