Bulls center Joakim Noah had the pin taken out of his right thumb on Tuesday and was back at practice Wednesday.

He wore a protective white guard over the thumb and hand.

"He's in good spirits," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's working out. [He] still can't do anything on the court, but he's doing his conditioning and his strength stuff, but [he's in] very good spirits."

Thibodeau was non-committal on a timetable, but is hopeful it will be sooner rather than later.

"The encouraging thing is everything's fine," said the coach. "He's on schedule, maybe a little ahead of schedule. But now he has to strengthen the hand and we go from there."

Noah is expected to accompany Chicago on their West Coast swing next week and continue his rehab.

"I know he's anxious to get back," Thibodeau said. "He's doing everything he can. He's done a great job with his conditioning while he's been hurt, so he just has to be patient and do the right thing."