New York Knicks' Joakim Noah suspended 20 games for banned supplement

New York Knicks center Joakim Noah was suspended 20 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, the league announced Saturday.

Noah tested positive for an over-the-counter supplement that is banned under the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement

"Joakim Noah of the New York Knicks has been suspended without pay for 20 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033 ... Noah's' suspension will begin with the first NBA regular season or playoff game for which he is eligible and physically able to play," the NBA's statement said.

Noah, 32, has not played since Feb. 4 and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Feb. 27 to remove a loose body. His suspension would carry into the 2017-18 season.

Noah would not have been penalized under the league's new CBA agreement that is set to begin next season, according to ESPN.

The National Basketball Players Association later announced that neither Noah nor the union would appeal the suspension.

"We believe that this isolated occurrence was a regrettable mistake," the NBPA said in a statement. "Joakim has offered his deepest apologies for this infraction."

The union said Noah "did not intentionally or knowingly" violate the CBA and that he was "completely forthcoming and cooperate" throughout the investigation.

Noah is in the first year of a four-year, $72 million free agent contract he signed last July after playing nine seasons with the Chicago Bulls, who drafted him ninth overall in 2007.

The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Noah is averaging 5.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 46 games (all starts) this season. For his career, he owns averages of 9.0 points and 9.4 rebounds.