Chicago was hoping for a big break in Game 1 of the first round against the Nets with the return of All-Star center Joakim Noah, but all it got was a big tease.
Noah, who missed 12 of the Bulls’ final 15 games while battling plantar fasciitis, was inserted into the starting lineup at the last minute, but finished with four points and five rebounds in a little more than 13 minutes in Chicago’s 106-89 loss to the Nets last night at Barclays Center.
After not having practiced on Friday, Noah was listed as questionable for Game 1, but his status hinged on how his foot responded during the pregame shootaround.
“Yeah [the foot showed improvement],” Noah said. “It’s not great but I think it will get better. I’ll be all right, I’ll be fine. I’m just excited for Monday.”
Though Noah was anxious to play, there were signs of rust. Noah, who averaged 11.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and four assists in the regular season, did not score a basket until 11:41 in the third quarter, missing his first three attempts.
“I’m disappointed in the way we played,” Noah said. “We didn’t play well offensively and we didn’t execute. We’ve dealt with adversity all year and now we got smacked in the face and it’s on us to bounce back.”
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said there would be a “restriction” on the number of minutes his leading rebounder would play, and he live up to his word.
After subbing out with 5:35 to play in the first quarter, Noah wouldn’t return until the start of the second half, and even then, he played just seven more minutes before heading back to the bench for the rest of the game.
With Noah on the bench, the Nets continually attacked the low post with Brook Lopez, who finished with 21 points. Andray Blatche also played a solid inside game, scoring 12 points.
Without Noah, the Bulls allowed the Nets to score 106 points, a mark far higher than their Eastern Conference-best 92.9 points per game they held opponents to during the regular season.
“Everything we did was a half-step slow,” Noah said. “There’s no blaming anybody. This is us. This was our whole team. We have to find a way to play with more energy. We can’t let them score in the paint the way we let them score in the paint.”
Last night marked Noah’s first start since April 7 against the Raptors. The 6-foot-11 center came off the bench in the Bulls’ final two games of the season, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds in 28 total minutes against the Magic and Wizards.
“When he’s played the last couple games, he hasn’t had a problem playing, or after the game,” Thibodeau said. “It’s more the next day when the soreness comes into play. So that’s the big thing.”
Noah said he expects to play tomorrow, and get more minutes than the 13:27 he did in Game 1.
“Hell yeah [I expect to be out there on Monday],” Noah said. “I expect to get more minutes [as well].