Joakim Noah returns to lineup, will come off bench vs. Hornets

CHICAGO -- Bulls center Joakim Noah will play Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets after missing Monday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of left knee soreness.

"It was bothering me, so I think I felt like I needed some rest," Noah said after Friday's shootaround. "It was disappointing. I hate sitting out games, but I feel better today."

Noah had surgery on his left knee after the 2013-14 season. He admitted it was bothering him throughout last season, but this appears to be the first time he has had any kind of issue with pain since the 2015-16 season began.

He isn't sure if the knee soreness will be a lingering issue, instead trying to focus on being back on the floor with his teammates.

"I just got to stay focused, listen to my body," Noah said. "I'm just working hard and just trying to get back to where I need to get to."

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Noah will start Friday's game on the bench. Hoiberg initially said before Monday's game that he would keep the same starters -- Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic -- but acknowledged after the game that Noah was scheduled to start before he told the Bulls training staff that his knee was bothering him.

Hoiberg said matchups are part of the reason Noah isn't starting against the Hornets, although the first-year coach has been consistent about the fact that he has not landed on a full-time starting five yet for the season.

"I'm not surprised about anything," Noah said when asked about Hoiberg's decision to bring him off the bench again. "I'm just focused right now on trying to help us win a game."