It doesn’t sound like Mitchell Robinson will make his season debut before the Feb. 6 NBA trade seadline — and judging by head coach Tom Thibodeau’s pregame comments on Wednesday, there’s no urgency to rush the Knicks’ defensive anchor back before,

The Knicks got a troubling injury update on Mitchell Robinson, who is still dealing with an ankle injury, on Wednesday.

The New York Knicks have a little less than 10 days to figure out whether Mitchell Robinson will be their backup center beyond the trade deadline. Robinson, 26,

The New York Knicks have been short at the center position all season. Mitchell Robinson‘s injury issues have forced Tom Thibodeau to rely on Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa as the primary backup bigs.

There have been some encouraging updates about Mitchell Robinson, but there is a catch as to when he may be returning.

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson continues to make strides in his recovery from a second surgery-inducing stress fracture in his left ankle. While he hasn’t been cleared for contact, head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed optimism about the progress the seven-footer has made.

New York, which has diminished its asset pool over the last year in adding OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to the roster, has to be very strategic about how it handles the deadline this season with limited flexibility and Robinson’s immediate future uncertain.