Mitchell Robinson enters his first season with the Boston Celtics confident that a more serious approach to recovery can help him produce his best season in years.
“Right now, I’m just so confident in myself…I feel like this is going to be a great year for me. As you can see, I’m starting to take recovery a lot more seriously,” Robinson said.
The 28-year-old center signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston during free agency, joining a Celtics frontcourt that lost Nikola Vucevic while retaining Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
Robinson has been one of the NBA’s most effective interior finishers and offensive rebounders when healthy. Across eight seasons, he has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game while shooting 70.2% from the field.
His availability, however, has been an ongoing issue. Robinson has played 60 or more games only four times in his career and appeared in just 17 games in 2024-25 before returning for 60 games in 2025-26.
Last season with the New York Knicks, Robinson averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game. He shot 72.3% from the field and collected 4.2 offensive rebounds per game, while his 1.2 blocks per game remained an important part of his defensive profile.
His offensive role has generally been limited, but Robinson’s efficiency makes him valuable around higher-usage creators. He has never averaged more than 9.7 points in a season, yet his career 70.2% field-goal percentage reflects how heavily his offense has been built around finishes near the basket.
Boston could give him a different environment after the departure of Vucevic. Queta started 75 of his 76 games last season and averaged 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25.3 minutes, while Garza contributed 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.2 minutes.
The Celtics also remain built around Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, with Paul George arriving from Philadelphia in the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. Tatum played only 16 games last season while recovering from Achilles surgery, making his return another major variable for Boston.
Robinson’s ability to stay available could therefore be particularly important. His career averages include 3.7 offensive rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, giving Boston a potential source of extra possessions and interior defense that complements its perimeter-oriented core.
After several seasons disrupted by injuries, Robinson is now emphasizing recovery as part of his preparation. His confidence suggests he believes the Celtics can be the setting for a healthier and more productive chapter of his career.
