Philadelphia, PA – Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is doubtful to play Sunday against Philadelphia due to a badly sprained left ankle.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said while Noah's status is considered day-to-day, he said Noah would "most likely be out" for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The top-seeded Bulls trail the best-of-seven series, 2-1.
Noah hurt the ankle in the third quarter Friday in a 79-74 loss. The Sixers ended the game on a 23-5 run.
Noah was driving down the lane in transition when he stepped on the right foot of Sixers forward Andre Iguodala, rolling his ankle badly enough that his foot buckled sideways underneath it.
He remained on the floor under the basket for several moments, in obvious pain and grasping at the ankle, but stayed in to make two foul shots with 7:57 left in the quarter.
Noah played another 1:11 before he was subbed out and went to the locker room. He returned to the bench minutes later and went back in the game in the fourth quarter, but left for good after that and scored 12 points.
The Bulls, of course, are already missing star point guard Derrick Rose, who was lost for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ligament in his left knee in Game 1.
Omer Asik could replace Noah in the starting lineup. Asik had four points and four rebounds Friday.