Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah suffered a severe-looking ankle sprain during the Bulls' Game 3 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and has not played since. After warming up before Thursday's pivotal Game 6, Noah has apparently been cleared to play.

Bulls PR said Noah is available to play. Whether he will remains to be seen.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 10, 2012

Omer Asik gets the start at center. Pregame reports had Noah moving gingerly. His entrance in the game still seems suspect.

Chicago needs a victory at the Wells Fargo Center tonight to force a Game 7 on Saturday in Chicago. The Bulls trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 and are trying to avoid becoming the fifth top seed in the NBA Playoff history to lose in the first round.

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