Derrick Rose expected back on-court in two weeks, on track for opener
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is expected to resume practicing with the Bulls in two weeks, the team announced Wednesday.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said earlier in the day that he hoped Rose would be back from orbital-bone surgery in time for opening night.
Hoiberg told reporters Rose was “still in great spirits” after undergoing the procedure in wake of a wayward elbow to the face during Tuesday’s practice. He said Rose playing opening night against the Cavaliers Oct. 27 hasn't been ruled out, the surgery went “as expected,” and that there was no structural damage to his face.
“When he comes back ready to go, he should be able to go right back into it 100%, which if you have something going on with one of your other body parts it’s going to be you gradually get back,” Hoiberg said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “You know, 50% load and then move all the way up from mid-restriction. I don’t anticipate that in his case this will happen with this eye injury as soon as he’s cleared to play.”
Rose will remain with the Bulls during training camp and continue learning Hoiberg's schemes. Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks and E'Twaun Moore will handle Rose’s duties as long as he's out.
Injuries have severely limited Rose over the past four seasons. Various knee issues have prevented Rose from playing more than 51 games in a season since 2010–11. After missing the entire 2012–13 season and playing just 10 games in 2013–14, Rose played 51 games for the Bulls last year and averaged 17.6 points and 4.9 assists per game.
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- Jeremy Woo
