New Celtics center Mitchell Robinson reveals cause of mystery postseason injury

Zack Cox, Boston Herald on Jul 5, 2026

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BOSTON — In a lengthy Facebook post Sunday morning, new Boston Celtics center Mitchell Robinson revealed how he suffered the fractured hand he played through during the 2026 NBA Finals.

According to the former New York Knicks big man, the injury occurred when Robinson “banged (his) hand on (his) truck” after learning that his youngest brother had been injured in a car accident.

“I would like to address the concerns regarding my finger, which was actually my knuckle,” Robinson wrote. “To provide some context, I had been dealing with personal issues, relationship problems, and internal struggles, which affected my performance on the basketball court. … Moving forward to the Eastern Conference finals, after our victory in Cleveland, everything seemed to be going well. We were celebrating our achievement, but for me, things took a turn for the worse.

“As many of you know, I am a compassionate and private person who enjoys listening to country music. Without going into details about my upbringing, I am extremely protective of my siblings, whom I care for deeply. Upon returning to New York, I received an unexpected phone call, and my family members contacted me, informing me that my youngest brother had been involved in a car accident. I did not see the messages until I arrived home late that night. As the eldest sibling, I felt a deep sense of concern, and I immediately went into panic mode.

“I began returning calls and texts, and when I FaceTimed my brother, I thought he was deceased. He was wearing a neck brace, unresponsive, and not speaking. I broke down in tears, feeling like a failure for not being able to protect my siblings. Being 910 miles away, I felt helpless. In a moment of frustration, I banged my hand on my truck. As many of you know, I have a deep affection for my trucks, but my siblings and daughter are my top priority.”

Though his availability was a question mark during the lead-up to the Finals, Robinson went on to appear in every game against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 13.4 minutes off the bench to help the Knicks secure their first championship since 1973.

Last Wednesday, Robinson agreed to terms on a reported three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston, which entered the offseason with a clear need for frontcourt help. The 28-year-old will join a position group that features Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Amari Williams and first-round rookie Chris Cenac Jr.

“Before judging someone, it is essential to understand their circumstances, which may not be publicly known,” Robinson wrote. “Life is unpredictable, and it is how we respond to challenges that truly matters. After consulting with doctors, I was able to gain the confidence in myself to go in and get the job done and WE DID 2026 NBA CHAMPS. (So) at the end of the day I battled with so much throughout this season even made a huge sacrifice to not see my daughter as much this season because I needed to focus and lock in so she can have a better future than I did.”

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