Shooting free throws has never been easy for New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. However, it has reached a new level of struggle for the big man this season. Robinson is shooting a career-worst 37.1% from the charity stripe. On Sunday, though, his improvement in shooting the free throw has been noticeable.
The Knicks played against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden, and Robinson impressed everyone with his shooting. The big man managed to knock down his two free throws, continuing his streak of making consecutive shots from the line. At the moment of this writing, Robinson has made 10 straight shots from the free-throw line.
Longtime Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen credited the team’s shooting coach, Peter Patton, and assistant coach Mark Bryant. Their work together to help Mitchell Robinson has been effective.
“The Knicks’ shooting coach, Peter Patton, has really been working,” Breen said.
“And also Mark Bryant, the Knicks’ assistant coach is always working… They’ve been doing a lot of work with Mitchell Robinson. They’ve done an excellent job with him. His release used to be behind his head, now it’s more in front.”
Robinson has made nine straight free throws when Breen credited the Knicks staff. He shot 7-for-8 of his free throws against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Before he improved, however, the center shot 22.2% during the first 10 games.
Mitchell Robinson wants the hacking to stop
One of the most famous tactics has been the “hack-a-Shaq.” It’s when the opposing team fouls the player who is the most inconsistent from the free-throw line. Mitchell Robinson has been the victim of that throughout his career, particularly in his terrible start to the 2025-26 season.
However, he wants things to change. Against the 76ers on Friday, his work from the line was evident. Following the game, Robinson pointed out that he wants to stop being the opposing team’s go-to guy when it comes to being hacked.
“I’m trying to stop everybody from doing that hacking and s**t,” he said. “So that’s kind of the main goal because I wouldn’t be able to play the fourth quarter, you know what I mean? The longer I’m out there, the more I help my teammates.”
Robinson offers rebounding and rim protection for the Knicks. If he makes more improvements on his stroke, he’ll continue to be a consistent presence on the floor.
