The Knicks' Mitchell Robinson had a career comeback night

At this point, it's hard to be surprised by Mitchell Robinson's recruiting prowess. It's a recurring theme.

INDIANAPOLIS -- It's hard to be surprised by Mitchell Robinson's rebounding ability right now.This is a recurring theme.

But even for him it was a special job.

Had a career-high 22 rebounds in the Knicks' 101-92 victory over the Pacers on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.Nine of them were on the offensive glass.

Perhaps just as important, he played 31 minutes, his biggest workload of the season.

"It feels really good," Robinson told the Post."I played 30 minutes for the first time. I'll go out there and play like that to see how much I work in the plan.

Robinson has played more games than he has in the last two years.The Knicks' responsibility-management plan for him -- not playing with two-footed backs, sometimes sitting out games -- has been effective, if frustrating at times.

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His workload continues to increase.This is a good development for the Knicks going into the playoffs.

"Obviously, it's proven to pay off," coach Mike Brown told The Washington Post, "because of his ability, knock on wood, to stay on the field, compete and play the minutes that he played tonight."

In addition to Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns, who both missed Friday's game with knee soreness, Jeremy Suchan was also out due to illness.

Pacom Daddiet, with the Knicks shorthanded, got very rare non-minutes.In fact, Darriet teamed up with Ariel Hookport as the Browns' first sub of the game in the first quarter.

Daddiet immediately drilled a 30-foot 3-pointer from Logo as the shot clock expired in the first quarter.He also saw brief action in the third quarter.