Knicks’ Noah banned 20 games for drug violation

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 overthe-counter supplements.

Joakim Noah of the New York Knicks was suspended 20 games without pay for violating the league’s antidrug 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 Knicks’ final 10 games this season because of a left knee injury. The NBA said Noah’s suspension “will begin with the first NBA 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, since Noah is not currently able to play.

The league cited Noah for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033. SPURS 106, KNICKS 98 >> At San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and San Antonio beat New York.

San Antonio has won four straight heading into home games against Cleveland on Monday and Golden State on Wednesday. The Spurs (56-16) are two games behind the Warriors (58-14) for the league’s best record.

Derrick Rose and Willy Hernangomez each scored 24 points and Hernangomez added 13 rebounds.