BOSTON -- Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah did not play in Friday night's 119-103 win over the Boston Celtics and is scheduled to have an MRI on Saturday on his sprained right ankle.
Despite not being active for the game, Noah was assessed a technical foul from the bench in the third quarter.
Noah, who initially sprained the same ankle Dec. 2, is hopeful that he won't have to miss much time. He was not wearing a walking boot after Friday's shootaround as he rebounded balls for his teammates and put up a few shots in street clothes. He re-injured his ankle near the end of the first half of Wednesday's loss to the Washington Wizards and did not return.
"It's better," he said of his ankle. "Just going to keep working at it every day and get my MRI. It is what it is. Keep pushing."
Noah, who has been dealing with issues stemming from arthroscopic left knee surgery last May all season, doesn't sound too concerned about his latest setback and "hopes it's a short absence." He already missed four games in December because of the knee and ankle injuries.
"I've had worse ankle injuries," Noah said. "[It's the] same one, it is what it is. I sprained my ankle. I'll be out for a little bit. I'll put my work in and get back to the court as soon as I can."
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Noah is "day-to-day." Mike Dunleavy (right ankle) and Doug McDermott (right knee) were also out against the Celtics.