Nerlens Noel feeling good and ready to help Knicks
Nerlens Noel of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Nov. 3, 2021. Credit: Getty Images/Andy Lyons
MILWAUKEE — It had become an odd tease, one that began with the first preseason game and continued through training camp and into the first six games of the regular season. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau would announce that Nerlens Noel was possible to play in the next game, and when game time came, would acknowledge that Noel was not suiting up.
The long wait for Noel finally ended on Wednesday night in Indiana when, with 4:08 left in the first quarter, he entered a game for the first time. He had recovered from what alternately had been called rest, a sore knee or a hamstring issue. The starting job he’d taken over last year was gone, but at least he was back in the rotation.
"It was the toughest thing to do," Noel said of sitting and watching as the team moved forward without him. "Be around my guys, day by day, and you’re just itching at the bit to get in the fight. I’m the type of guy that it’s really tough just to sit back and watch.
"I spent enough time through my first year learning, recovering from my injury. That’s enough time on the bench, so I don’t really enjoy that at all. It’s tough, but I do what I have to do for myself and my team for the long haul."
Speaking for the first time since the season began, Noel explained what the physical issue actually was: a hamstring problem, possibly stemming from the original knee pain. And while the healing was happening, he cautiously approached his return to game action, trying to avoid a setback.
"There were some things I had to take care of with it and make sure I was cautious," Noel said. "But me and the team worked collectively to make sure things were right before I came back. A little hamstring issue. But we definitely took care of it and I feel great. Just get the momentum moving forward.
"I’m very focused on having a great year and giving my best self to this team. I didn’t want to have any setbacks. I wanted to be 100% percent when I came [back]. I owe that to this team and myself, and that’s what I did, and I’m feeling great now. Hit the ground running."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
