Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah could miss all or part of the first round of the NBA playoffs because he is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
The Bulls’ first round series against the Brooklyn Nets starts Saturday.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that Noah might not play.
“It’s possible, yeah; he’s still day to day,” he told ESPN radio on Thursday. “If he has soreness, we’re going to take it as it comes.”
Noah appeared briefly in the final two regular season games and has played in just three overall since March 21.
If Noah is able to play, it is not known how limited he will be.
“I don’t know and that’s the unfortunate part,” Thibodeau said. “All I know is that we’re better with him on the floor. I prefer for him to be out there extended minutes but whatever he can give us we would like him to do it. But if he can’t go he can’t go and we have to go to the next guy.”
Nazr Mohammed will likely get additional minutes in place of Noah if he cannot play.
Noah averaged 11.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 66 games this season.