Mitchell Robinson’s discouraging free-throw returns keeping him on Knicks bench in crunch time

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mike Brown is keeping faith that Mitchell Robinson will eventually hit foul shots.

But until that happens — or maybe even after that happens — the coach said Robinson isn’t expected to play much down the stretch of close contests. 

“Obviously, he’s got to make free throws. We have a rotation and most times in the rotation at the end of games Josh [Hart] is going to be out there [at power forward],” Brown said. “So [Robinson] won’t be out there a ton, but if we need a rebound, he’s going to be out there. 

“And he’s got to knock down the free throws. And he’s working at it, we’re working at it with him, and I truly believe he’s going to get better.” 

The sample size is small (just nine attempts), but Robinson converted just 22.6 percent of his foul shots this season.

It’s a discouraging start after opposing coaches fouled him on purpose in last season’s playoffs, exposing Robinson’s greatest flaw.