Chicago Bulls Point Guard Derrick Rose Returns After 12-Game Absence


Derrick Rose returned to the Chicago Bulls starting lineup agains the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon after sitting out 12 games due to a groin injury.

While Rose appeared on the teams roster Tom Thibodeau was quick to point out that the team would take it slow with Rose, pulling him from upcoming games if his injury hasn’t appeared to heal 100%.

“We’ll see,” Thibodeau said. “Probably a little shorter than normal. He’s handled practice well, but practice and games are totally different so we’ll see once he’s out there we’ll have a better idea what he can handle.”

The Bulls have dealt with injuries all season and Sunday’s game highlighted that point as the teams starting five started a game together for only the 11th time this season. The leagues MVP joined Richard Hamilton, Joakim Noah,Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng. As a group those five starters are 9-1 on the season.

Rose injured his groin on March 12 during the New York Knicks and he has missed 22 games in an already shortened season due to various injuries.

If Derrick Rose manages to stay healthy he may just be able to finish out the season which now includes just 10 games.

Speaking out his teams direction as the postseason approaches Thibodeau says:

“You only can control what you can control. Injuries are part of (the season). The good thing is that a number of guys had an opportunity to play and that’s the way you have to look at it. Derrick and Rip are fresh, so that’s good, and now they have to get their timing.”

Do you think the Chicago Bulls need Derrick Rose to make it through the NBA playoffs?

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