Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will miss two weeks of action after a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) last Tuesday revealed a left shoulder sprain suffered in Monday's 105–102 home defeat to the Brooklyn Nets.
Noah injured the shoulder in the third quarter versus the Nets which forced him to leave the game.
In 16 minutes played in Monday's game, Noah had a great showing, tallying four points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two rejections.
In a report by ESPN, former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose said after Noah suffered the injury that it would be "devastating" if the veteran center misses action for an extended period of time.
Unfortunately, Noah is set to be out for some time and if the two-week absence allows him to recover, the earliest possible return date for him will be on Jan. 5, 2016 when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 25 games played this season, Noah is currently not having the best of production, averaging 4.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 22.3 minutes of action per outing.
The 30-year-old center is also playing the reserve role for the first time in his career since getting selected in the first round of the 2007 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft.
Noah's absence is an opportunity for other big men to step up, according to the veteran Pau Gasol, ESPN reported.
Gasol also said Noah is an important player that brings energy that is why not having him will be harder.
The Bulls are currently riding a three-game losing streak and are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with a 15–11 record.
Next for Chicago will be a two-game Western Conference road trip that starts with a Christmas Day showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, before the team heads back home on Dec. 28.
