National Basketball Association

Bulls' Noah remains sidelined

Published Apr. 2, 2011 8:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bulls held Joakim Noah out for the third straight game Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors because of a sprained right ankle.

The Eastern Conference-leading Bulls are taking a cautious approach with Noah, averaging 12.1 points and 11 rebounds. Their next game is Tuesday night against Phoenix.

Coach Tom Thibodeau says Noah is ''almost there.'' Kurt Thomas started in his place.

Meanwhile, All-Star guard Derrick Rose says he was feeling fine after hurting his left ankle in the second half Friday night in a win at Detroit.

The Raptors also were short-handed, with leading scorer Andrea Bargnani missing the game because of a sore right ankle and guard Jose Calderon staying home with a sore left hamstring. Rookie Ed Davis started for Bargnani, who's averaging 21.8 points, with Jerryd Bayless filling in for Calderon.