New York Knicks: 5 takeaways from 7-game road trip
5. Joakim Noah leaves team
There is an odd trend developing with the Knicks. For the second consecutive season, a player has left the team. This time it’s center Joakim Noah.
Now, this isn’t exactly the same. Last season, Derrick Rose disappeared prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He did not notify the team he was leaving, and the team did not know where he was. This time around, it sounds like Noah at least notified the team that he would be leaving.
Noah has reportedly left the team for personal reasons, according to Ian Begley of ESPN New York. Noah left the team prior to Thursday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. He also missed Friday’s game against the Suns.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek would not elaborate further, saying it was a personal matter and that Noah would miss a couple games. It was said to only be two games, but we will see what happens.
The signing of Noah has been a disastrous one for the Knicks. He battled injuries last season before being suspended. He finished serving that suspension to begin this season and hasn’t really been in the rotation since.
Noah has reportedly been upset at his playing time but understands the situation. Could that have played a part in leaving the team? We will have to wait and see as more information should come out once Noah returns to the team.