Joakim Noah scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 110-93 Bulls blowout over the Raptors on Wednesday night. He entered the game knowing he was on his way to the disabled list due to a torn ligament in his right thumb. He'll have surgery Thursday morning and will be sidelined until after the All-Star break in late February or early March.
"It's sucks," Noah said. It's not what I want but I have to get back to playing at a high level."
Noah originally injured his thumb Nov. 27 against Sacramento. The injury was aggravated after a hard hit against the Rockets on Dec. 4. He played with tape for the next few games and used a brace against the Raptors. He's also been playing with sprained right index and middle fingers, but those injuries won't require surgery.
"It's hurting," Noah said. "I have to take anti-inflammatories every time I play. I can't practice. I have to get right and get back to this team."
Noah's teammates have ben impressed by his toughness while battling through injuries.
"He hasn't said a word about it all year," Kyle Korver said. "We've all seen the wrap on his hand. You look at it and it's swollen. You ask how it is and he just says it's fine."
"We knew (about the upcoming surgery) a few days ago but he wanted to play tonight and he did a great job," Carlos Boozer said. "He's a warrior. I say we take our hats off to him for playing through the pain he's had for the last two or three weeks. We wish him a speedy recovery to get back because we're going to need him down the stretch."
"I'm gonna miss playing with the guys," Noah said. "It's frustrating because I feel like we have a chance to be really, really good, and I've never been in a situation where we're winning like this. But I know in the long run this is what needs to be done."
Noah is currently fifth in the NBA in rebounds with 11.7 per game. He's tied for sixth in double-doubles with 14. He may have been on course for his first All-Star game. He's the Bulls' glue guy and energy leader and is a big part of why they are currently third in the Eastern Conference.
Noah bounced back well from plantar fasciitis last spring. He's to another strong recovery as the Bulls build toward the playoffs after the All-Star break.
