Thunder C Noel cleared to play against Lakers

Oklahoma City center Nerlens Noel has been cleared to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering a concussion earlier this month, the club announced.

Noels took an inadvertent elbow to the head from Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins on Jan. 8.

Noel lost consciousness while being knocked to the floor at the 5:16 mark of the third quarter. He was taken off the court on a stretcher and was held overnight at OU Hospital for tests and observations.

Noel was released from the hospital the following day and was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol.

Noel, 24, is in his first season in Oklahoma City after four seasons with Philadelphia and Dallas. He has appeared in 39 games for the Thunder, averaging 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. He has posted 20 straight games with a blocked shot.

--Field Level Media