For the first time in more than a month, Rudy Gobert won’t be wearing one of his custom suits on the Jazz bench.

The 7-foot-1 center has been cleared to play Friday night against the New York Knicks, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. And Gobert couldn’t be happier to make his return to the Jazz (18-26) lineup.

“Very happy,” he said with a wide smile after Friday morning shootaround. “It’s been tough.”

Rudy Gobert talks about his return to action tonight against the Knicks — he’s a little excited to see Enes Kanter, it’s sounds like. pic.twitter.com/xOkvDEqXvQ — Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 19, 2018

Gobert missed the last 14 games after injuring his left knee on Dec. 15 against the Boston Celtics. The injury came just as he was coming back from another collision — in his right knee — earlier in the season.

The all-NBA center has only been able to play in 18 games so far this season, in which the Jazz are 7-11. But without him on this most recent stretch, the team is just 4-10 while toward the back of the playoff-contending pack.

“The first time, I think I missed 10 games,” he said. “When it happens again, you’re like, ‘I just want to play.’ And watching my team lose, it’s tough.”

Gobert is averaging 11.6 points and 9.6 rebounds, but his greatest value comes on defense where the Jazz have been struggling in his absence. Without him in the last 14 games, the Jazz have ranked 27th in defensive rating (111.3). With Gobert — who led the league in blocks last season — the Jazz figure to toughen up their defense inside the paint.

Coach Quin Snyder said he expects an adjustment period when the team starts playing with Gobert again, but he hopes the learning curve is tighter, given that this is his second comeback of the season.

“It’s something we’ve talked about, it’s happened once before,” he said. “Hopefully it requires our guys to have excellent concentration.”

Gobert said he doesn’t expect to have a hard-and-fast minutes restriction, but will go through the game and see how he feels. It’s also unclear how the Jazz will handle him in the lineup with a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers coming up on Saturday night.

The last week has seen Gobert ramp up his physical activity in the public eye after returning to non-contact portions of practice a week ago. He’s been spotted doing conditioning prior to games, and doing two-on-two scrimmages with rookie Tony Bradley.

Is he ready to dunk on someone else after all this time?

“Definitely,” he said. “And [New York Knicks forward Enes] Kanter, also.”

Jonas Jerebko (back spasms) remains listed as questionable for Friday night’s game.