The Chicago Bulls played well enough against the Washington Wizards to take a six-point lead into half, but the end of the second quarter offered a scary sight for Chicago. Center Joakim Noah went down fighting for an offensive rebound and had to be helped to the locker room.
Joakim Noah injury: Bulls star exits with apparent ankle sprain
Noah did not start the second half against Washington.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Noah won't return with sprained right ankle.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 15, 2015 Taj Gibson started the second half for Chicago in place of Noah.
Noah had already been dealing with discomfort in his knee from offseason surgery. The two-time All-Star hasn’t looked himself for Chicago through the 32 games this season, with his points, rebounds and assists all dropping noticeably. If Noah does miss time with the ankle injury, it might ultimate be a good thing for Chicago as it would allow his knee to heal as well.
Chicago has enough frontcourt depth to handle any short-term injury. Pau Gasol has been a revelation for the Bulls in his first season in Chicago, while rookie Nikola Mirotic and veteran Taj Gibson have also given the Bulls positive minutes.
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