The Knicks grabbed a much-needed win on Tuesday night, but they continue to lose players to the COVID surge currently overtaking the NBA.
The latest victim is center Nerlens Noel, who entered the league’s health and safety protocols on Wednesday. Noel played 23 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Pistons, logging two points and three rebounds.
Fortunately, the Knicks announced Wednesday that Obi Toppin is rejoining the team after his 11-day stay in the league's protocols. Toppin has provided a big spark of the New York bench this season and makes up a Knicks second unit that had been clicking before many of them wound up sidelined due to COVID protocols.
Noel joins RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, Kevin Knox and Immanuel Quickley on the long list of Knicks currently in health and safety protocols. Barrett has been out for 11 days and could return to the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Wizards, but Tom Thibodeau had no updates on any of his players after Tuesday’s win. He entered protocols around the same time as Toppin.
On Detroit’s side, rookie Cade Cunningham has also entered health and safety protocols after Tuesday’s game at The Garden.
COVID cases continue to surge throughout the league, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that there are no plans to postpone the season, though games continue to be postponed, and contingency plans will be put in place for the potential of games being disrupted on Christmas Day, when the Knicks are slated to take on the Hawks.
With Noel out, center Mitchell Robinson will likely see a return to the starting lineup, especially after enjoying his best game of the season on Tuesday night.
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