Joakim Noah frustrated he can’t help Bulls during trying times

Joakim Noah offered a clearer picture on the length of his absence after the team said his sprained left shoulder would be re-evaluated in two weeks.

“They told me two to four weeks,” Noah said. “The MRI showed a slight tear, so just letting it heal and hopefully I can get back soon.”

Noah said he felt much better Wednesday than he did Tuesday, which he took as an encouraging sign. He even attempted some right-handed shots without using his guide hand, which coach Fred Hoiberg joked would “maybe correct that spin a little bit on his shot.”

Noah’s shoulder popped out and then back in on its own after he became entangled with the Nets’ Andrea Bargnani. He said he’d begin strengthening exercises as soon as he can.

“Right now, it’s still very raw. So trying to let it calm down a bit,” Noah said. “Then I’ll do ice, stim, a lot of conditioning. We’re going through a lot right now as a team. I just wish I could be out there with my teammates.”

If Noah is out four weeks, he would miss 13 or 14 games.

“It’s tough. Jo is definitely our emotional leader,” Hoiberg said. “He’s a big reason for the success that second group has had offensively because of the movement he can generate. Looking at our possessions when Joakim initiates the offense, we’re very efficient with that. That takes that element away.

“He’s still going to be there for the guys, I know that. He’s going to be on the bench cheering as much as anybody we have, keeping them going, keeping them positive. But he’ll absolutely be missed. Bobby (Portis) got an opportunity the other night. He’ll probably be extended a little bit more now with Joakim’s absence. Niko (Mirotic), we’ll probably slide him back a little to some (power forward). Anytime something like this happens, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up.”

Taking a stand: Noah added to his long list of anti-violence actions when he joined Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Steph Curry in an anti-gun public service announcement that will air during the NBA’s high-profile Christmas Day games.

“I think it’s great the league decided to take a stance and be a part of it,” Noah said. “But the truth is it’s a PSA. It’s gonna take a lot more than a PSA to stop this gun violence issue. We’re losing right now. It’s just important to do as much as we can to change it.”

kcjohnson@tribpub.com

Twitter @kcjhoop