Derrick Rose left in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' win over the Pacers on Monday with an ankle injury, and was unable to return.
Given his long history of injury over the past few seasons, Chicago fans may have been wondering if this is just the latest setback that will force him to miss time. But Rose himself doesn't seem to think it's all that serious.
Chicago plays on Wednesday in Phoenix, so we'll see if Rose's positive outlook allows him to return in time for his team's next contest.
You could see Rose wince seemingly more in annoyance and disappointment than pain. He spoke with reporters after the game. If it were serious, he obviously would not have. But anytime anything happens to Rose, including mosquito bites and bloody noses, he is pummeled with the here-we-go-again refrain. It apparently was a simple sprain that happens in just about every NBA game. But Rose has acknowledged given his injury history he knows everyone will react to any setback.
“Just a normal ankle injury; should be all right,” Rose said. “I’m just happy nothing’s torn or broken. I don’t think I’m going to need a walking boot. I’m used to twisting my ankles. When I was younger, that’s the injury I always had. I trust and believe in my teammates. I knew they could finish the game. I felt like if I (stayed) out there I could be hurting the team. Right now I’m able to walk on it. That’s a good thing. It’s just an ankle injury, nothing big and I should be back out there.”
