Knicks' Joakim Noah: Out three-to-four weeks following knee surgery

Noah underwent an arthroscopic procedure Monday to remove a loose body from his left knee and will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis:

It was reported earlier in the day that Noah, who had missed the last seven games with a strained hamstring, would require a likely season-ending knee scope, but the timetable provided at the Knicks suggests it's not out of the realm of possibility for the center to return before the season draws to a close in mid-April. However, given that Noah previously had trouble with the same knee in 2014 -- along with the fact that the Knicks aren't in playoff contention -- it still seems unwise to bank on him returning this season. In any event, Noah's extended absence will give Willy Hernangomez some more long-term security as the starting center, and he'll likely continue to occupy the larger portion of a timeshare at the position with Kyle O'Quinn.