Derrick Rose Injury Return: May Play on Wednesday vs Magic?
The participation of Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bull's point guard, is deemed uncertain for the first time for the game against Orlando Magic on Wednesday, according to CBS Sports. On the injury update last Tuesday, Rose's team listed both him and his fellow guard, Kirch Hinrich, as "questionable."
Rose had an arthroscopic right knee surgery last Feb. 27 and is likely to be out for four to six weeks to recover from his condition. According to the Chicago Tribune, Rose is scheduled to play this week to mark his return after his surgical procedure. Rose's condition to play will be determined after Wednesday's shootaround.
It is also unlikely that Rose will participate in successive games on his return because of his condition. If he participates in the game against Magic, he would be on the bench on Thursday in the game against Heat.
Rose has been practicing the whole week with his teammates and his comeback will probably start come Thursday or Saturday against the 76ers. He has missed 20 games with the Bulls so far.
"It's steady. Each week he's gone through each phase of the rehab," Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls coach said Monday after practice. "He's progressed well. He hasn't had any setbacks. The next step is to play in the games. As soon as he's comfortable to do that, we'll get started with that," he said according to an article by CSN Chicago.
"Any time we can get him back, we're pleased to get him back," Thibodeau said. "We'll figure it out. We've done it enough times where we know he's going to start off slowly and we'll go from there. He'll get better as he goes."
Before next week's playoffs on April 18, Rose only has five games to accustom himself.
"Ultimately, he's got to feel comfortable enough to play," Thibodeau said Monday. "That's the big thing, so I think he's getting closer. He hasn't had any setbacks, so those are all positive signs. He's doing everything in practice. His conditioning is a work in progress, but it's improving."
"He's taking it day by day."
According to CBS Chicago, rumors of Rose's comeback were speculated after Rose's ex-girlfriend and mother of his son, Mieka Reese, posted a picture on Instagram that showed Rose wearing a hat with the word "Wednesday." After it caught news, the account has been set to private but not before getting screen-captured by many on social media.
Due to tearing a meniscus in his right knee, Rose was sidelined for the majority of last season. In 2012, while opening the playoff, he also tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.