DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah did not practice Friday after being excused for bereavement.

Noah flew to New York on Thursday to attend to the personal matter. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he is hopeful Noah will be back at practice on Saturday.

A source with knowledge of the situation said Noah is expected to fly back to Chicago on Friday night.

"Jo's out for bereavement," Thibodeau said. "Hopefully he'll be back (Saturday). But everybody else is here ... he's back in New York but hopefully he'll be back (Saturday)."