It’s happening again. Derrick Rose sustained a knee injury, underwent surgery, rehabbed and is ready to return to the court.
And the timing could hardly be better for the Chicago Bulls.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported the news, citing Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, who said Rose will log about 20 minutes of playing time.
Thibodeau said barring setback, Rose will play vs. Magic.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 8, 2015
Rose has missed the last 20 outings, during which time Chicago has limped to a 10-10 mark. The Bulls have still managed to remain one game ahead of the Toronto Raptors for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Nevertheless, the Bulls become a more dangerous team with Rose on the floor, since Kirk Hinrich was a beneficiary of the vacated minutes before his own injury. The veteran simply could not atone for Rose’s absence, tallying a meager 4.3 points and 2.0 assists per outing despite averaging 20.5 minutes.
Rose’s return comes with five contests remaining, so the explosive point guard has a terrific opportunity to sharpen his performance before the postseason arrives, as noted by ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
Rose acknowledged "relief" at being able to play some games before the regular season ends. Hopeful he can find some rhythm.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 8, 2015
If Chicago holds onto the East’s No. 3 seed and handles its first-round foe, the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely be the next opponent. And if the Bulls drop to fourth or fifth, they’d battle the Atlanta Hawks.
As if knocking out LeBron James and Kyrie Irving or a ball-movement-focused Atlanta squad isn’t already hard enough at full strength, accomplishing it without Rose would be nearly impossible.
Should he stay healthy for the remainder of the year, Rose will make his first playoff appearance since 2012—the first time he sustained a major knee injury.
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