Nerlens Noel returned Wednesday night against the Rockets after missing the last two games with a bruised right knee.
He went back to the starting lineup at center, where he posted 17 points, nine rebounds (eight offensive), four assists, two steals and a pair of blocks in 32 minutes of the Sixers' 118-104 loss (see game story).
While his coach Brett Brown noticed areas in which he could have tightened up his game, he earned praise from the opposing center, Dwight Howard.
From Howard’s perspective, though, he didn’t notice a player returning from injury. He was impressed by the tools Noel brings to the position.
“I would just say he’s pretty smart and crafty,” Howard said. “Every time I went for a steal on him, he would step way back. I’m looking for his body and trying to catch the ball. He would just come around and tip the ball away or something like that. He’s very smart and active as a big, that’s one thing I like. Hopefully he can keep that up, stay aggressive on both ends of the floor and he’ll be fine.”
Brown saw a strong start from Noel, who scored seven points and blocked both of his shots in the first quarter. As the game went on, Brown recognized moments that weren’t as effective.
“I thought he was good at times and then I thought he was rusty other times with either a pass or hands on balls or finishing around the rim,” Brown said. “He hasn’t played in a little while. I thought that he was really good at times, no doubt, the way he started the game, attacking offensive boards, making steals. His quickness, his athleticism when he decides to go after a steal in getting in a lane is elite.
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“When you look at his overall numbers … statistically that reads OK. But he would know like I know, there were periods in that game where we’re going to need a little bit more.”
As for Noel, he said was tired in the fourth quarter. He subbed out with just under five minutes to go and checked back in with over two minutes to play. He's confident he will be back in game form come Friday against the Nets.
“I definitely wanted to stay in through those couple minutes I came out in the fourth,” Noel said. “I was really winded and I didn’t want to hurt my team by just not having the energy. … I think I’ll be good by next game with a better wind from the four, five days.”