Knicks’ Nerlens Noel to return from injury against Rockets

The Knicks can’t seem to have all three centers healthy at the same time this season.

Coach Tom Thibodeau revealed Saturday that Nerlens Noel will return to action from a sprained knee against the Houston Rockets. This will be the first time Noel will see the court since suffering the injury on Nov. 8 during the Knicks win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Noel has missed four straight games after missing the team’s first seven games of the season. In the four games that he’s played, Noel has averaged 4.8 points and 6.8 rebounds.

In his stead, veteran Taj Gibson has made the most of his increased minutes backing up Mitchell Robinson. Unfortunately, Thibodeau also announced Saturday that the 36-year-old will be out for Saturday’s game with a groin injury. Thibs said that there wasn’t one moment when he sustained the injury and is day-to-day.

In 10 games this season, Gibson has averaged 20 minutes a game off the bench and contributed to the team’s defense in ways that won’t show up in the box score.