Noah set to return for bulls

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, who has missed 30 NBA games after surgery on his right thumb, will return on Wednesday when the Bulls play at Toronto, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said on Monday.

Thibodeau said Noah was cleared to play last week but was rested until after the break for the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

Noah, the son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah, was averaging 14 points and 11.7 rebounds a game before undergoing an operation to repair torn right-hand and thumb ligaments. he has not played since Dec 15.