Rose (elbow) returns for Bulls against Grizzlies
MEMPHIS — Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose says he will play Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing the last two games because of a left elbow contusion.
“I’m playing tonight,” Rose said after the Bulls’ shootaround. “Playing tonight. Elbow feels a lot better so just trying to get back there as quick as possible. But being smart, being patient at the same time.”
Rose initially injured the elbow in a March 28 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He tried to play through the pain, but did not play in the second half of Thursday’s win over the Houston Rockets. He says there is still pain in the elbow but not enough to keep him off the floor.
“It’s some,” Rose said. “I just didn’t want to come back, and if I was to get it or something was to happen while I was out there like it is, like getting bumped and stuff that I wasn’t back at zero. Just wanted to get past that point. And I think I’m past it right now.”
Rose, who played one season at Memphis University from 2007-08, is excited about playing in the same arena he played in during college. It is bittersweet for the former MVP given that the NCAA made Memphis vacate its record from that season because of several infractions, including a fraudulent SAT score.
“It means a lot, man,” Rose said of playing in Memphis. “Even though the records say I didn’t play here. It feels good. Just coming back here, being in the environment, being in the city, makes me feel a little bit bad about coming to the league because I miss college so much, being around my teammates. But I had to make a decision for my family.”
As for the rest of the Bulls’ injury woes, power forward Taj Gibson is doubtful to play because of ongoing issues related to a rib fracture. And backup guard E’Twaun Moore is a game-time decision after tweaking a hamstring injury again.
“Derrick looked good this morning,” Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We’ll monitor him throughout the day. We’ll get treatment, warm him up tonight and see how he’s doing, similar to what’s happened the last few games, but I would say he’s in a better position than he was the last couple games. Taj is still very sore, he’s going to come out and shoot tonight and see how he’s doing but I’d say he’s doubtful. E’Twaun’s still nursing that hamstring, he tweaked it a little bit late in the game the other night so we’ll see how he progresses throughout the day as well.”
