Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah may have started in his first game this season in their 111–88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Monday but decided to rest because of left knee soreness.
Noah has not started in any game this season and is coming off the bench for Bulls big men Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotić.
The game against the 76ers could have been his first start and despite the desire to play, Noah decided not to.
"I wasn't expecting it. I've been feeling great up to this point, and it just happened. I don't think it's [anything] too serious, but it was definitely a situation where I had to be smart. I wanted to play tonight really bad," Noah said, according to ESPN.
The 30-year-old center added that the injury has been hurting since the morning of Monday's game and believes he made the right decision of not playing.
In seven games played so far this season, Noah's numbers are far from last season as he averages 2.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 20.6 minutes of action per outing.
Last season, Noah was averaging 7.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 30.6 minutes played per contest, in 67 regular season games played and started.
Despite his absence, Chicago cruised to its fifth win to improve at 5–3 and currently be on the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference while Philadelphia remained winless at 0–7. Leading the way in the victory was the player Noah was supposed to replace in the starting lineup, Mirotić.
Mirotić had a double-double performance in the win over the 76ers tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds, with one assist, and two steals.
Another standout offensive performance came from second-year forward Doug McDermott who had 18 points.
The Bulls and Noah will have time to rest since their next game will be on Friday hosting the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center.
