Mitchell Robinson admitted that leaving the New York Knicks was difficult after spending the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the organization.

Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics in free agency, bringing an end to his long tenure in New York. Despite the move, the 28-year-old center made it clear that his feelings toward the city have not changed.

“I love New York. I fell in love with it once the time went on, got used to it, and stuff like that,” Robinson said on KnicksFanTV, via HoopsHype. “It is what it is. This is a business at the end of the day, and sometimes things just come to an end. Unfortunately, this is one of those things. But I love New York, I fell in love with it.”

Robinson joined the Knicks as the No. 36 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and developed into one of the league’s most effective interior finishers and offensive rebounders.

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 offensive role has primarily consisted of finishes around the basket, but his efficiency and work on the offensive glass have made him a valuable complementary player.

Robinson averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game for New York last season. He shot 72.3% from the field and ranked among the NBA’s most productive offensive rebounders with 4.2 offensive boards per game.

His biggest challenge has been availability. Robinson has played at least 60 games in only four of his eight seasons, including 60 games in 2025-26 after appearing in just 17 games the previous season.

The Celtics are hoping Robinson can provide a consistent interior presence alongside Neemias Queta and Luka Garza after Nikola Vucevic’s departure. Queta started 75 of his 76 games last season, averaging 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, while Garza averaged 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds.

Robinson is approaching his first season in Boston with confidence that a greater emphasis on recovery can help him stay on the court.

“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 recently said.