New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is expected to miss the start of the 2024-25 season as he continues to recover from his offseason ankle surgery, sources told SNY's Ian Begley.

Robinson's target return date will be sometime in December or January when the Knicks and Robinson believe he's 100% healthy, Begley adds.

New York's big man suffered the injury in Game 1 of the Knicks' playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. This was the second procedure on his injured left ankle.

The 7-footer averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 31 games with New York last season. His 4.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2023-24 was the best mark in the NBA.

The Knicks will have a thin frontcourt to begin the year as backup center Isaiah Hartenstein left for the Oklahoma City Thunder as a free agent this offseason.

Three-time All-Star Julius Randle also went under the knife at the end of last year. The Kentucky product underwent a procedure on his shoulder and missed the final 36 regular-season games as well as the Knicks' postseason run.

The only other center on the Knicks' roster is Jericho Sims.

New York will begin its season against the defending champion Boston Celtics on Oct. 22.