New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Joakim Noah Suspended 20 Games for Violation of NBA Drug Policy. Alec Nathan 1. NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 16: Joakim Noah #13 of the New York Knicks plays against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2017, in New York City.
NOTE TO USER: By downloading and/or using this photograph, User expressly accepts and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108–107. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images.) Mike Stobe/Getty Images. The NBA punished New York Knicks center Joakim Noah for 20 games on March 25 for violating its anti-drug policy, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.According to Ian Begley of ESPN, Noah’s suspension will begin immediately after the NBA’s independent doctor deemed him physically competent to play. The 32-year-old reportedly tested positive for an over-the-counter substance that is prohibited by the league’s collective bargaining agreement. However, Wojnarowski reported that the National Basketball Players Association found Noah did not “knowingly or willingly” violate the CBA. He is also alleged to have completely participated in the investigation. Noah had arthroscopic surgery on February 27 to remove a loose particle from his left knee, and he was ruled out for the rest of the season. Before his suspension, he averaged 5.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 22.1 minutes per game.
Ime Udoka, an ex-Knicks player, is suspended for the entire season in Boston. Geoff MagliocchUdoka, the current head coach of the Boston Celtics, played eight games with the New York Knicks during his seven-year playing career.
The Boston Celtics announced on Thursday night that head coach Ime Udoka would be suspended for the whole 2022-23 season.
Udoka, who briefly played for the New York Knicks during his seven-year career, has been officially suspended for violating team rules, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, which included “an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff.”
The Knicks’ Atlantic Division foe has confirmed that Udoka’s suspension will begin immediately and that “a decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date.”
Udoka is coming off a successful 51-win season as the Celtics’ head coach, following nine seasons as an assistant in San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn.
Boston won its first Eastern Conference championship since 2010, but lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals. Prior to joining the Nets as an assistant coach, Udoka played eight games with the Knicks at the close of the 2005-06 season, averaging 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. As for the Celtics’ immediate future, assistant Joe Mazzulla will be promoted to temporary head coach. Mazzulla went 43-17 in two seasons at Division II Fairmont State and has been on the Celtics’ bench since 2019.
The Knicks and Celtics are scheduled to face off four times this season. New York hosts at Madison Square Garden on November 5 and February 27, while the Knicks go to TD Garden on January 26 and March 5 (the latter is nationally televised on ESPN). Geoff Magliocchetti’s Twitter handle is @GeoffJMags. Want the most recent breaking news and insider information on the Knicks?
