DEERFIELD, ILL. (AP) - One day after Derrick Rose went down in a heap at the United Center, the Chicago Bulls got some relatively good news.
Rose was listed as day-to-day Tuesday by the team after he suffered multiple injuries in a win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. He has a sprained right wrist, a bruised right elbow and a sore right hip, but will travel with the team to Toronto for Wednesday’s game against the Raptors.
“It was very tough last night getting to sleep,” said Rose. “Right now, it’s just a little sore. Hopefully I’ll be playing tomorrow.”
X-rays on the wrist after the game were negative and Rose said the hip was actually more sore than the wrist or elbow.
“My hip is really messed up,” said Rose. “I just have to get treatment on the plane, and hopefully by tomorrow I’ll be all right. If it’s up to me, I’m going. If it’s sore, usually I can play through soreness.”
Rose did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, but was shooting around _ left-handed _ when reporters were allowed to watch. Rose is a right-handed shooter.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said that he anticipates Rose will play against Toronto.
“He’s a little nicked up,” said Thibodeau. “His ankle is fine. He’s got a little soreness in the elbow and a little soreness in the wrist. If he says he can play, he’ll play. He’s moving around pretty good today.”
If Rose is unable to play, Thibodeau said C.J. Watson will start at point guard. Watson started for Rose (sore neck) at Denver on Nov. 26 and scored 33 points in a loss.
“The way this team has played all year is that if one person can’t go, then someone else steps up,” said Thibodeau. “C.J. has done a really good job for us.”
Rose was hurt with just under two minutes left in the Bulls 92-73 win over the Pacers when he drove into the lane, jumped high in the air and tumbled over Indiana’s Brandon Rush. He was able to finish the game.
Rose also has a sore left ankle, injured in a separate incident earlier in Monday’s game. Despite the bumps and bruises, Thibodeau said he doesn’t want Rose to change his style.
“I don’t want him to change the way he plays,” said Thibodeau. “I want him to attack.”
The Bulls have won a season-high six straight games. Rose is fifth in the NBA with a 24.7 scoring average and his 8.3 assists per game rank ninth.
Rose was asked what went through his mind when he knew he was about to hit the floor.
“I thought ’This is going to hurt,’” Rose said, laughing. “I’m just happy and blessed that I didn’t break anything.”
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