INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks got back their top shot-blocker and a key force to last season’s league-leading defense Wednesday night.
Center Nerlens Noel, who missed all four preseason games and the first seven regular-season games, made his 2021-22 debut Wednesday versus the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
It didn’t amount to guiding the Knicks to any victory, but he got his feet wet with 17:48 of action, registering two points, six rebounds and an early block. Noel was a plus-2 in a 111-98 loss.
Noel had missed the season with vague hamstring and knee soreness, though the Knicks had cleared him to play in recent games. Noel chose to wait — until Wednesday.
“For the first game I thought he gave us some really good minutes,’’ Tom Thibodeau said. “Good activity. Rim protection. Effort plays. A lot of good things. So it’s good to have him back.’’
Noel signed a three-year, $32 million deal in August and made headlines suing former agent Rich Paul for mismanaging his affairs.
During his contract year last season, Noel finished third in the NBA in average blocked shots at 2.2.
Noel’s last game had been against Atlanta in Game 5 when the Knicks were eliminated from the first round. He’d done a few five-on-five scrimmages the past week. He was the first center off the bench as Mitchell Robinson retained his starting role. Taj Gibson did not play.
“We saw how valuable he was to us last year, in terms of when Mitch got hurt. He stepped in and was terrific as the starter,’’ Thibodeau said. “He’s great coming off the bench. I love what he brings to that bench group. Taj is terrific in whatever role we ask him to play. And that’s the value of having the depth that we have. Everyone’s team-first and everyone is willing to sacrifice, and that’s important.’’
Ex-Net Caris Levert, in his third game back from kidney cancer, erupted for 21 points, five assists and three blocks. The key piece to the James Harden trade is also friends with Kyrie Irving and can’t wait to see him back on the court.
Levert said they recently spoke.
“I think it’s unfortunate what’s happened,’’ LeVert said of Irving, who is not playing after choosing not to take the COVID-19 vaccine. “Everyone wants to see Kyrie play basketball, I think Kyrie wants to play basketball. I know Kyrie wants to play basketball. I think it’s just unfortunate what’s happened. Hopefully, everyone can come to a conclusion and come back to the court soon.’’