Report: Noah's 20-game suspension to start Wednesday
Joakim Noah will start serving his 20-game suspension Wednesday after an independent doctor from the NBA determined he's physically able to play, ESPN's Ian Begley reports.
The NBA officially suspended the New York Knicks center Saturday after he tested positive for a selective androgen receptor modulator, which mimics the effects of anabolic steroids.
Noah will miss the final eight games of this season, and the first 12 of the 2017-18 campaign.
The 32-year-old has apologized to both the team and Knicks fans, saying he was only trying to accelerate his rehabilitation from a left knee injury.
"I tried to take a supplement to help me," Noah told reporters. "I've gone through a lot of injuries. I tried to take something to help me and it backfired. It didn't come from a bad place."
Noah has struggled during his first year in The Big Apple after signing a four-year, $72-million deal with the team last summer. The former ninth overall pick is averaging five points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 49.5 percent shooting this season.