The New York Knicks have been without Nerlens Noel for nearly a month. He last played on Feb. 7 against Utah and was listed as out for the next five games. Noel wasn’t on the injury report for New York’s first two games after the All-Star break but he didn’t play in either game.
During Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported that Noel is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The injury first flared up versus the Jazz.
Although Noel’s been listed as active for the past two games, he seems to be more of an emergency option for New York. His DNP’s prove that he’s not as his best and Tom Thibodeau confirmed that after the loss to the Sixers.
Thibodeau wants Noel to make it “through some practices” before he returns to the court.
Thibodeau said Nerlens Noel is technically available but "I want him to get through some practices first before we throw him back in there. At this point, what you don’t want is you’re in for a game and out for a game, in for a game, out for a game. So I want him to get healthy."
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 27, 2022
New York Knicks center Nerlens Noel is dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Thibodeau’s wording is tricky. Noel isn’t ready to play and Thibodeau wants to hold him out for a bit longer until he’s fully healthy but he’s been listed as available.
Noel’s health has been an issue all season for the Knicks. He re-signed with New York last August to a three-year, $27 million contract after averaging 6.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals in the 64 games that he played in.
Out of the 61 games that the Knicks have played so far this season, Noel has played in 25 of those. He’s dealt with knee and ankle injuries this year.
The eight-year veteran is averaging 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 points, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals. He’s shooting 53.3% from the field.
While Noel continues to work towards playing again, rookie Jericho Sims will play behind Mitchell Robinson. There’s been no set timetable for Noel’s return but Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic is sidelined with the same injury and is expected to come back in four weeks. Using Nurkic as a reference, Noel could be available (and actually play) on Mar. 7 in Sacramento.
There’s no dire need for Noel to return, though.
New York is 25-36 and in 12th place in the East so if the season ended today, the Knicks would miss the play-in tournament. However, if they can climb up to at least 10th place, New York will have a chance to advance to the first round of the playoffs. That seems unlikely at this point but stranger things have happened.
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