Once a significant figure for the Chicago Bulls, now center Joakim Noah is losing prominence and, along with the reduced role he has, will have to deal with a left shoulder injury that could keep him out for months.
Noah dislocated the shoulder in the second quarter of Friday's 83–77 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks after getting entangled with Mavs center JaVale McGee, ESPN reported.
ESPN added that the Bulls stated in a news release that the injury was "reduced" in the locker room, and Noah was evaluated at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago where it was determined he will need surgery.
Because of the surgery, it is likely that the 30-year-old will be out for the season since it is expected that he needs four to six months to recover.
The recent injury is a tough setback for Noah who is struggling this season with his new role coming off the bench.
Noah is averaging 4.3 points (career-low), 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and one block per contest in 29 regular season games played (two starts) this 2015–16 season.
Even before hurting his shoulder, Noah has been heavily involved in trade rumors because of his lessened playing minutes and offensive inefficiency. Now, the injury will drag his name further to the rumor mill.
However, Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said that the absence of Noah is tough for the team.
"Jo, he's such a passionate kid. A big-time leader of this team. He has so much energy — even when he wasn't playing, he was always keeping guys' spirits up being around here, and I know he'll continue to do that," Hoiberg said, according to ESPN.
He added, "But I really feel bad the fact that he's going to have to have a surgical procedure to fix this. But at the end of the day, I know Jo's going to be fine."
Getting a chunk of playing time in Noah's absence beside veterans Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson are young big men Cameron Bairstow and rookie Bobby Portis.
