Drew Gooden is improving from his sprained right ankle on a daily basis, but the 6-10 power forward isn't yet ready to return to action and won't play tonight when the Bulls wrap up a four-game road stretch against the New Jersey Nets.

Small forward Luol Deng (sprained left ankle) also is out.

Andres Nocioni participated in the Bulls' morning shootaround and will play tonight despite continuing issues with his neck.