Knicks Rumors: Joakim Noah Won’t Return Until After All-Star Break
New York Knicks rumors: Center Joakim Noah will not play against the San Antonio Spurs tonight, and will probably be out through the All-Star break.
New York Knicks rumors have persisted in recent weeks surrounding the Carmelo Anthony trade drama. That will continue to dominate headlines through the NBA Trade Deadline, but the most recent rumor revolves around an injury update.
Starting center Joakim Noah has not played since February 4th against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He injured his hamstring in the game after playing only six minutes and has been sidelined since. There is a chance that he is sidelined longer as well.
Noah will miss today’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, but the Knicks do not believe he will return this week. Following today, the Knicks have only one more game prior to the All-Star break; Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Per head coach Jeff Hornacek, Noah will not be returning to the lineup for that game either, putting him out through the All-Star break. Jonah Bellow shared the news via his Twitter account.
Joakim is out today for #Knicks and may not return until after All-Star break per Jeff Hornacek. #NYKvsSAS #Knicks
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) February 12, 2017
Injuries have beset Noah throughout his first year with the Knicks. He battled a hamstring injury during training camp, which slowed him down to begin the season. After Wednesday’s game, Noah will have missed 11 games this season.
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That is what the Knicks were hoping to avoid this season. Noah has been battling injuries for the past two seasons and has seen his production fall off a cliff as a result. New York hoped that would not happen again this season, but the 31, soon to be 32-year old Noah, looks to be on his last legs.
Noah still has some usefulness for the Knicks, as he is a good screen setter offensively. But, as an emotional leader, it is tough for teammates to get going when he is in a suit on the sideline not on the court playing.
With Noah sidelined, the Knicks will continue shuffling their frontcourt lineup. Against the Denver Nuggets Hornacek decided to go with Kristaps Porzingis at center to offset the smaller lineup the Nuggets use. The results were disastrous, as the Knicks gave up 131 points in a loss.
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Against teams with more traditional lineups in the Spurs today and Thunder on Wednesday, expect the Knicks to go with Kyle O’Quinn or Willy Hernangomez inside. They give the Knicks some much-needed size inside and take some pressure of Porzingis, who doesn’t have to anchor the defense from power forward like he does from center.