Joakim Noah will be out for the Chicago Bulls for at least two weeks due to a shoulder injury he suffered in their most recent game, a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, 105-102 last Monday.

The official diagnosis is a slight tear on Noah’s left shoulder, and the 30-year-old centre is expected to return to play within two to four weeks, as confirmed by KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

The injury is considered minor but comes at a bad time for the Bulls, which is currently struggling at this point of the season. The Bulls has a 15-11 win-loss record through Wednesday’s games but has lost three in a row, with close losses to the Nets and Detroit Pistons and a blowout loss to the New York Knicks.

Noah injured his left shoulder in the third quarter of the game against the Nets when he was defending against Andre Bargnani, who came down on Noah’s arm. Noah admitted post-game that “something popped out” during the incident, and he was seen in an arm sling after the game.

Noah played 16 minutes against the Nets and had 4 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists before leaving the floor due to the shoulder injury. Noah, who has a new role for the Bulls this season as the primary big man off the bench, averages 4.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 26 games so far in the 2015-2016 season. The scoring average is the lowest for Noah since his rookie season.

Without Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, Bobby Portis and Nikila Mirotic are expected to have an increase in playing time and role with the team.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES