Bulls say Noah out 5 days with eye injury

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)— Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah is out with an eye injury.

The team says Noah will likely miss five days after being poked in the left eye during practice on Wednesday.

The team said on Friday that the injury left Noah with blood in the front chamber of his eye. He’ll be monitored daily by the Bulls’ medical staff.

Noah averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 74 games as a rookie last season.

The Bulls take on Dallas at the United Center on Thursday in their preseason opener.

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Gordon accepts 1-year deal with Bulls

CHICAGO (AP)—Chicago guard Ben Gordon accepted the Bulls’ one-year, $6.4 million tender offer just before the deadline Wednesday night.

A restricted free agent, Gordon was looking for a long-term deal that never materialized. He led the Bulls in scoring last season with an 18.6 average.

“He’s very happy to be able to go back and play basketball,” agent Raymond Brothers said. “He looks forward to talking to the Bulls next summer about an extension.”

Chicago’s leading scorer the past three years, Gordon can not be traded this season but could leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer. He had few options this time.

He was unable to work out a sign-and-trade deal and rejected the idea of playing overseas since the Bulls would have retained his rights. The only other option would have been a multiyear deal.

The fifth-year guard was present but did not participate in a morning practice at the Bulls’ suburban training facility, a team spokesman confirmed. He was a no-show for a late afternoon session, but he will be there on Thursday.

“Absolutely,” Brothers said.