Mitchell Robinson Probable to Return Despite Sprained Thumb

The Boston Celtics just announced that Mitchell Robinson is probable to return to action despite dealing with a left thumb sprain. Keith Smith reported the update, which is objectively hilarious when you remember Robinson makes his living exclusively by catching hard passes and violently swatting basketballs.

A thumb injury for a rim-running center is like a paper cut for a hand model. It sounds minor until you actually have to do your job.

"Keith Smith reported the probable status update."

But for Robinson, an upper-body injury is almost a refreshing change of pace. The big man spent the last few years with the New York Knicks battling a relentless series of ankle problems before signing a three-year deal to anchor the paint in Boston.

He has been exactly what the Celtics paid for so far. Robinson is pulling down 8.8 rebounds a night while chipping in 5.7 points, providing the kind of dirty-work production that keeps a championship contender humming.

Boston is currently locked in a tight road matchup against the Houston Rockets. Adding a 7-foot rim protector back into the mix changes the entire geometry of the floor for the second half.

Anyone holding live tickets on Houston points in the paint or Boston rebounding props needs to adjust their math immediately. A probable tag means he is going to give it a go, but playing through a sprained thumb against NBA athletes is a great way to rack up unforced turnovers.

The real test comes the first time he has to fight for a contested offensive board in traffic. If Robinson starts bobbling entry passes or favoring the hand, the Celtics will have to decide if one regular-season game in November is worth risking a lingering issue.