Rose Injures Other Knee, Latest Star to Go Down
Gasol, Iguodala also go down limping on precarious Friday.
Derrick Rose has another knee injury – and he wasn’t the only NBA star to get hurt Friday.
Memphis center Marc Gasol sprained his left knee and Golden State guard Andre Iguodala limped off with a strained left hamstring, on another painful night for some of the league’s best players.
They added to a growing list of big names already sidelined this season by one ailment or another – a scroll that includes Deron Williams, Stephen Curry, Steve Nash and Tyson Chandler.
No team has played even 15 games yet in a season that’s three-and-a-half weeks old, and already trainers’ rooms are full. Not to mention that Kobe Bryant and Rajon Rondo, both still recovering from surgery, haven’t suited up all season.
Dwyane Wade has been held out of three games as part of Miami’s plan for handling his history of knee issues.
And it only got worse Friday night – especially for Rose and the Bulls.
The 2011 MVP injured his right knee in the third quarter and did not return during a 98-95 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, who won their ninth straight game.
Rose, who sat out last season following surgery on his left knee, was set to have an MRI in Los Angeles yesterday.
“He was in pain and felt like he couldn’t push off his right knee,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Rose was on crutches in the trainer’s room but was not made available to the media after the Bulls squandered a 21-point lead in their second consecutive loss.
The three-time All-Star led Chicago with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, but was helped off the court with 3:20 remaining in the third.
He lost his footing while trying to change direction to get back on defense when Nicolas Batum stole a pass from Joakim Noah and started the other way. Rose limped across the court and couldn’t put any weight on his knee. After the Blazers scored, he came out of the game during a time-out.
It didn’t appear there was any contact on the play, but Rose was unable to return.
“I’m concerned,” Thibodeau said. “Anytime anyone goes down, you’re concerned. But I don’t want to speculate until I have more information.”
Rose tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2012 playoffs. The 2008 top draft pick was averaging 15.4 points this season.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing serious,” teammate Taj Gibson said. “He’s a strong guy. He worked extremely hard this summer trying to get his body right, working out every day.”
Gasol was also expected to have an MRI yesterday, after leaving the Grizzlies’ 102-86 loss to San Antonio early in the second quarter.
The 7-foot-1 center grabbed at his knee while sliding toward the basket on defense, but never went to the floor. He gingerly walked off the court and into the locker room.