Mitchell Robinson explains hand injury before 2026 NBA Finals

NBA center Mitchell Robinson disclosed in a Facebook post that his hand injury, which required surgery on his right pinky finger before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, was caused by a personal crisis. After the Knicks’ Eastern Conference‑final win, he learned his younger brother had been involved in a serious car accident. "As the eldest sibling, I felt a deep sense of concern and immediately went into panic mode," Robinson wrote. In a moment of frustration he "banged my hand on my truck," fracturing the fifth metacarpal.

Robinson underwent surgery days before the Finals but played in all five games, averaging 3.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 13.4 minutes as the New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973. Following the title, he signed a three‑year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics. In his statement he also spoke about broader personal struggles, family priorities and the importance of resilience.

The revelations clarify earlier speculation about the nature of his injury and underscore the emotional pressures faced by the player during the postseason.