Chicago Bulls Update: Joakim Noah not available for Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards
Joakim Noah, the 26-year-old Chicago Bulls centre, whose season has been plagued with injuries, will not be available for Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Noah was expected to return to the Chicago Bulls’ line-up on Tuesday, but he has been sent home due to illness. His absence has further aggravated the injury woes of the short-handed Bulls, who are already without the services of power-forward Carlos Boozer.
Boozer has missed three consecutive games with sprained left ankle.
The Bulls starting centre, had hurt his thumb in a game against the Sacramento Kings on November 27. He did not seem to be bothered by the injury at that time and went on
to play against the Toronto Raptors in the next game, in which he contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 110-93 win. It was the seventh straight victory of Chicago.
However, Noah’s condition became serious later on and he had to undergo a surgery on Thursday, December 16. Dr. Mark Cohen and Dr. John Fernandez at Rush University Medical
Center performed the operation. The surgery was successful but the doctors advised Noah to take a rest for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks. Prior to injury, Noah was averaging a career high 14 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Known for his die-hard defending,
the loss of yet another big at the back is certainly a setback for the Bulls.
The Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was however upbeat and said that the Bulls roster has got the depth to cover up for Noah.
Thibodeau said, "It's disappointing for Jo." "But for us, we're confident in the ability of the guys that we have. Therefore, we have more than enough to win with. Taj has
played extremely well for us. Kurt [Thomas] has played well for us. Luol [Deng] has played well at the four. Therefore, we have a number of players that can step up. Omer. We keep moving."
The absence of Noah however has not affected the Bulls much this season and they have rather got used to the fact. The Bulls are 39-12 in his absence this season. With seven
straight victories on their back, the Bulls are at the top of the Eastern Conference. However when he returns, it will add a new dimension to the Bulls defence.
Derrick highlighted the very fact, "When he comes back, I think we will be very tough," "It should be very hard for people to try to go to the hole.
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