After alternating between Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart in the starting five during training camp practices, Knicks head coach Mike Brown opted to start Robinson alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in the team’s preseason opener on Thursday, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required). It was a move that “gained momentum” during training camp, Bondy writes, and one that paid off in the Knicks’ first game of October. Robinson racked up a game-high 16 boards despite not playing in the second half. “Played 18 minutes, had 16 rebounds — 11 of them defensively — but more importantly for a big, he had three deflections. That means Robinson is well positioned to at least keep his spot in the starting five on Saturday when the Knicks and Sixers play their second of two contests in Abu Dhabi.