ABU DHABI, U.A.E. — Mitchell Robinson will start at center in the Knicks preseason opener Thursday and Pacome Dadiet was a surprise insert into the lineup because of an injury to OG Anunoby. 

Anunoby, the Knicks’ best defensive player, suffered a sprained left hand and is “day-to-day,” according to coach Mike Brown. 

Robinson and Josh Hart alternated practice time with the starting unit, but Brown ultimately went with the bigger lineup against the Sixers while pushing Karl-Anthony Towns to power forward. 

Brown said the decision doesn’t mean he’ll stick with Robinson over Hart.