Chicago Bulls hopeful Joakim Noah can return Monday

ATLANTA -- Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is expected back Monday night against the Washington Wizards as he continues to recover from a left shoulder injury.

Noah initially suffered a slight tear in his left shoulder in a Dec. 21 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He did not travel with the Bulls in advance of Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, but coach Fred Hoiberg is hopeful that if Noah can make it through Sunday's practice, he will be ready to face the Wizards.

"Hopefully we'll get him back on Monday," Hoiberg said before Saturday's game. "He's doing some activity today. We'll get him doing some live stuff [Sunday]. Hopefully he'll get through a full practice. That's the biggest thing…