Bulls' Joakim Noah separates shoulder vs. Mavericks

— -- CHICAGO -- Bulls center Joakim Noah suffered a separated left shoulder during the second quarter Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks and was ruled out for the game.

The injury occurred with 9:41 left in the second quarter after he got tangled up with Dallas Mavericks center  JaVale McGee.

Noah immediately grabbed his shoulder and screamed as it appeared to pop out of place.

He went straight to the locker room to be evaluated by the Bulls' medical staff.

Noah initially injured the shoulder during a Dec. 21 loss to the Brooklyn Nets and missed almost a month of action. An MRI showed a small tear in the shoulder, but Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he was confident that surgery would not be needed.