NEW ORLEANS — This Knicks road trip started in Chicago with bad news for Joakim Noah. For the second time in 2 ½ weeks, he would not be dressing at the arena in which he was once an MVP candidate.
The trip ended with one of Noah’s finest moments of a strange season — with him playing the final 13 minutes in a 105-103 victory at Smoothie King Center.
It was only his fifth appearance and came about only because Kyle O’Quinn got into foul trouble. Noah was solid defensively against DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, scored two big fourth-quarter hoops and contributed to a key win.
“It felt really good,’’ Noah said. “It’s been a while. My situation, I’ve been through a lot. What it’s telling me is appreciating every moment I get to play out there, to be able to play in the fourth quarter, competing against the best players in the world and getting a much-needed W and being a part of it, feels great.’’
The game in Chicago on Wednesday — a last-second loss — was a bitter pill.
“Not playing is very hard,’’ Noah said. “But it’s a team game and not about me. It’s about this team. I’m not going to lie and tell you not being able to suit up in a place where I played for 10 years doesn’t sting. It hurts a lot.”
Noah is part of a four-center logjam and has no idea when he’ll get minutes — or even dress — again. He said he has copied the workout routine of veteran Ramon Sessions, who also is out of the mix.
“It’s not an easy task sitting there until the fourth quarter and wait until your number is called,’’ Noah said. “I’m happy I was able to contribute tonight.”
Jarrett Jack set Noah up for both his baskets and called his outing “phenomenal.’’
“All game long, he’s cheering, he’s helping guys, getting them in the right situation,’’ Jack said. “To come in at a moment’s notice, hasn’t played in a game in some time and came in and I thought he gave us the energy and the boost that we needed. Defensively just bringing a presence for us that we needed on the perimeter as well as in the paint.’’
Ron Baker received three stitches from a left cheek laceration after attempting — and failing — to block a high-flying Anthony Davis dunk and getting clocked by his elbow. Baker picked up a foul on the play to boot.