SAN ANTONIO _ The losses keep on coming for the Knicks.
Joakim Noah has been suspended 20 games by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program, the league announced. The NBA said that the Knicks' center tested positive for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033.
Noah's suspension will begin with the first game that he's physically able to play, the league said. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month and his return date is unclear.
Since Knicks' last game is April 12, the suspension would preclude Noah seeing any more court time this season.
Coach Jeff Hornacek said Noah had been working toward playing again this season, and hopes he's cleared to so the suspension can start sooner.
"I can't really comment much on it except for the fact that I thought we would get him here toward the end of the season," Hornacek said before the Knicks played the Spurs last night. "He was working to get back, get some games. Obviously that won't happen, dealing with that situation. Hopefully the doctors can get him cleared and maybe some of those games come off this year."
After the Spurs matchup, the Knicks have nine games remaining. Hornacek said Noah had been doing some cardiovascular work, but he hadn't graduated to doing any on-the-court activities.
It's been a disappointing season for Noah, whose signing looks even worse now. The Knicks gave him a four-year, $72 million contract last summer to be a leader and defensive anchor. But he never was that player.
Noah suffered nagging injuries throughout the season before requiring surgery on his left knee to remove a loose particle Feb, 27. He appeared in 46 games, and averaged 5.0 points and 8.7 rebounds.
"I'm sure it's been just like all of us a frustrating year," Hornacek said. "He's had a lot of minor things with the hamstring and the knee. He was never able to get going. It started in training camp. It's been frustrating for him and for all of us this year."
The NBA Players Association released a statement saying Noah "did not intentionally or knowingly violate any policy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement" and "we believe this isolated incident was a regrettable mistake."
Under the new CBA, which takes effect July 1, Noah could have contested the suspension because it was an "unintentional ingestion." But the union said, since that clause does not appear in the current CBA, they won't appeal it.
"Joakim has offered his deepest apologies for this infraction, and neither he nor the NBPA will pursue an appeal," the statement said.
Noah will forfeit between $2 million and $3 million in salary because of the suspension. The wide gap is because the formula in the new CBA for determining lost pay changes and is less taxing on the player.
Noah hasn't traveled with the Knicks since undergoing the surgery. Derrick Rose, who played with Noah in Chicago, reached out to him to see how he's doing amid this situation.
"That's my brother more than anything," Rose said. "I'm with him through the good, the bad and the ugly. And I think the franchise is too. But if anything, I want him to be at peace.
"He's alright. It's just a tough time for him. But he got loved ones around him. And I just told him if he needs anything from my end, just let me know. ... There's nothing you can do about it now but just take it and ride with it."
Rose has had multiple knee surgeries, and he wasn't expecting Noah to return this season.
"I didn't think so just knowing how tricky knee injuries are," he said. ". I was going through rehab and just trying to get comfortable on the court while you're playing the way that you want to play. I didn't think he was coming back but that's my personal opinion."
Hornacek said the Knicks would still try to get Noah back this season. Either way, Noah will serve more than half the games of the suspension next season, if not all of them. If it's all 20 next season, it could impact some of the moves the Knicks make this season. But they have Kristaps Porzingis and rookie Willy Hernangomez to play center.
"We'll kind of approach that when it happens," Hornacek said. "It's something you have to consider going into the year if it's 20 games. I shouldn't comment on the actual rules. I'm not sure what they are. But I'm sure he can practice with us, go through exhibition and do all that stuff. It will be something we have to deal with."
