Knicks’ Noah handed 20-game suspension
Joakim Noah of the New York Knicks was suspended 20 games without pay for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
He tested positive for a substance found in some over-the-counter supplements, the league said Saturday.
Noah has not played since Feb. 4 and likely was to miss the team’s final 10 games this season because of a left knee injury. The NBA said Noah’s suspension will begin with the first regular-season or playoff game for which he is “eligible and physically able to play.”
At minimum, that means the suspension will carry over into at least the first 10 games of next season and likely longer, because Noah is unable to play.
The players’ union believes the 6-11 player committed an unintentional mistake.
“Joakim was completely forthcoming and cooperative throughout the investigation and we believe that this isolated occurrence was a regrettable mistake,” the union statement said. “Joakim has offered his deepest apologies for this infraction, and neither he nor the NBPA will pursue an appeal.” SPURS 106, KNICKS 98
Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 as San Antonio beat visiting New York. RAPTORS 94, MAVS 86
DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka scored 18 points apiece, and Toronto won its fifth straight game, defeating host Dallas. WIZARDS 127, CAVS 115
John Wall scored 37 points, Bradley Beal added 27, and Washington won at Cleveland.
Washington’s victory cut Cleveland’s lead in the Eastern Conference to a half-game. CLIPPERS 108, JAZZ 95
Jamal Crawford scored 28 points off the bench, and Los Angeles beat visiting Utah to clinch a playoff berth. BLAZERS 112, T-WOLVES 100
CJ McCollum scored 32 points as host Portland continued its playoff push with a win over Minnesota.
From wire reports