Joakim Noah close to return after 'clean' ankle MRI

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will not play Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to recover from a sprained right ankle.

The good news for the Bulls, however, is that the MRI taken Saturday on Noah's ankle came back "clean," and coach Tom Thibodeau hopes the All-Star center can return soon.

"It's clean, so it's good," Thibodeau said after Monday's shootaround. "He's making progress, so we'll see where he is when we get back."

Noah has missed the past three games and continues to get treatment on the ankle.