MINNEAPOLIS — Joakim Noah’s chance at redemption will have to wait.
The Knicks starter center’s struggles hit another speed bump as a sprained left ankle prevented him from facing his former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau when the Knicks held off the Timberwolves 106-104 in the first game of a home-and-home series Wednesday at Target Center.
Noah hurt his ankle in the first quarter Monday against Oklahoma City and that could have factored into his awful fourth, when Thunder center Enes Kanter embarrassed him on the boards.
“You’d like to come into the season and just be healthy, never miss a beat,’’ coach Jeff Hornacek said. “It’s been up and down — ankle hamstring, sickness. Things are hitting him, but it’s a long season.”
Hornacek started Kyle O’Quinn — who had two points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes — at center against Minnesota’s big frontline, but had been counting on Noah to attempt to slow down 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns, who exploded for 47-point, 18-rebound night. When Noah missed two games with the flu last week, O’Quinn started and the Knicks didn’t miss a beat, winning both games.
Noah finished with two points and three rebounds Monday as the Thunder collected 18 offensive rebounds — with Noah the primary goat.
To his credit, Noah, who also has missed two games because of the flu and half of preseason with hamstring and right-ankle woes, wouldn’t use that injury as an excuse.
“Early in the game, I sprained it,’’ Noah said at the morning shootaround. “I was able to keep playing on it and it just got a little worse.”
Asked if it affected his jumping ability in the final period, when Kanter led the Thunder to victory with his massive play inside, Noah said, “It wasn’t too much of a factor. I was on adrenaline, playing on adrenaline. It didn’t go as we wanted.”
Noah, held scoreless the final three periods against Oklahoma City, is under the microscope after being Phil Jackson’s marquee free-agent signing, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal. He has had four scoreless games and if his defense and rebounding aren’t up to snuff, he’s a liability.
Lance Thomas (foot) may return in Friday’s rematch.
“That’s the goal,’’ Thomas said.