Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich listed as game-time decisions against San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday

Jan 25, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) complains to referee Eli Roe (44) during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bulls win 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Even with a roster weakened by multiple injuries and a major trade exile, the Chicago Bulls are playing incredibly effective basketball. However, their fully stretched roster could be put to the test in an entirely new way when Chicago takes the floor against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Kirk Hinrich (right hamstring) and Joakim Noah (illness) are both a game-time decision tonight vs. Spurs. #CHIvsSAS
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 29, 2014

The Bulls could be without two starters, as both their best player (Joakim Noah) and best point guard (Kirk Hinrich) are game-time decisions on Wednesday night. Chicago has won 10 of their last 14 games even after the trade of Luol Deng, but at a certain point, the talent level drops too far off, and without Noah and Hinrich, that would probably be the breaking point for the Bulls.

The 28-year-old Noah has taken a step back from a production standpoint offensively this season (11.7 points per game), but he is their defensive/rebounding anchor (11.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks per game) and Noah is a fringe All-Star candidate. In the case of Hinrich, he would be much easier to replace with guys like D.J. Augustin filling in admirably, but Noah is the one guy that Chicago can’t afford to be without at this stage.

Stay tuned for more coverage as the game arrives.

Home/Chicago Bulls