Joakim Noah was in the starting lineup after missing the previous two games with an illness. He had six points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes in the Knicks’ 113-111 overtime victory over the Hornets at Madison Square Garden.
Jeff Hornacek said the plan was to limit Noah’s minutes because he wasn’t able to do much while he was under the weather. He went through an abbreviated practice Thursday and shootaround Friday.
“He’s a guy that relies on his energy, and we need that,” Hornacek said.
Hornacek said he didn’t give any thought to resting Noah altogether and playing him more Saturday night when the Knicks complete the home-and-home in Charlotte.