Knicks center Mitchell Robinson suffers broken pinky ahead of NBA Finals

The Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals.

Whether they’ll have one of their most important role players available remains to be seen.

According to James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz of The Athletic, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger earlier this week. Multiple outlets have since confirmed the injury.

There is currently no timetable for Robinson’s return.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll miss the NBA Finals, which begin Wednesday against either the Thunder or Spurs. It simply means his status remains uncertain for now.

The injury comes at a less-than-ideal time for New York, as Robinson has played a major role in the team’s run to its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

The veteran big man appeared in 60 regular-season games, his highest total in four years, averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while once again establishing himself as one of the league’s best offensive rebounders.

Robinson’s playoff minutes have dipped to 14.2 per game, largely because opponents have intentionally fouled him and dared him to shoot free throws. Even so, his size, rebounding and interior defense remain important pieces of the Knicks’ identity.

Now, New York will wait to see if one more injury can be overcome before the biggest series the franchise has played in more than a quarter-century.