The Boston Celtics had high expectations for Mitchell Robinson after signing him to a three-year, $47.4 million contract in free agency. They expected so much from him to the point that they named him as their starting center heading into the 2026-27 season, displacing Neemias Queta, who broke out in a starting role for Boston at the five last season.

Robinson, however, is finding it difficult to make a similar impact for the Celtics as he had for the New York Knicks in years past. It's gotten to a point where Queta has now moved back into the starting lineup over Robinson, with the 2026 NBA champion coming off the bench on Monday in their 109-93 loss to the Houston Rockets.

The 28-year-old big man knows that he has to get it together even as he's still adjusting to life as a member of the Celtics after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Knicks.

“I gotta figure it out soon,” Robinson told reporters, via Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes. “At the end of the day, it’s still basketball. Things that I do naturally, I should just still be doing it, and I just haven’t found my rhythm yet.”

Robinson on adjusting to a new system:

“At the end of the day, it’s still basketball. Things that I do naturally, I should just still be doing it, and I just haven’t found my rhythm yet.” https://t.co/K7EY9xjdWW

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) November 3, 2026

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Robinson hauled in just four rebounds on Monday, as he did not have his customary impact on the glass. His offensive rebounding rate has dropped off by more than half, and if he's not being an all-time great rebounder and rim protector, he's not making much of an impact for the Celtics.

There is a long way to go in the season, of course. Robinson has time to get back to his usual self on the glass and on defense to make the Celtics' investment in him worth it. But the fact of the matter is that he's disappointed thus far in his new digs.