National Basketball Association

Report: Noah out for must-win Game 5

Published May. 6, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah upgraded from crutches to a walking boot Sunday but will not be available to play in Tuesday's must-win Game 5 against Philadelphia.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is calling Noah day-to-day but he still cannot put full weight on his severely sprained left ankle, which remains swollen, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Bulls have fallen behind 3-1 after losing last season's MVP Derrick Rose to a torn ACL in their Game 1 win, and are facing elimination as the best-of-seven series heads back to Chicago.

Omer Asik replaced Noah in the starting lineup Sunday and had just one point with six rebounds in 23 minutes in an 89-82 loss in Philadelphia.

Thibodeau, though, insisted there was no issue with the performance of his big men, after they combined for 38 points, 29 rebounds and seven blocks.

"Our bigs were fine," Thibodeau said. "When you weigh defense, rebounding and shot blocking, they did a good job."

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