Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has sustained a left orbital fracture that requires surgery after being struck in the face by an elbow during practice, the team has announced. He was taken to Rush University Medical Center for evaluation immediately after the incident.
A timetable for Rose’s return will be determined once he undergoes surgery, which is expected to take place Wednesday at Rush University.
Rose, who has had a history of knee injuries that have kept him out for extended periods of time, recently spoke about the upcoming season and reassured fans about his ability to still play at a high level.
“I know I’m still great. I know I can hoop,” Rose said during media day.
Although this current injury may not be too serious, it could still cost Rose quite a few regular season games, which at this point, he cannot afford to be sidelined with injuries since he is attempting to showcase his ability to play at a star level.
Last season, Rose accumulated 51 games, averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per night. Since his MVP season in 2011, the three-time All-Star has played a total of 100 games, sustaining multiple serious knee injuries.
This is certainly another setback for the Bulls, who last week discovered that starting small forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. requires back surgery and will miss a couple months of action.
In any case, with the absence of Rose, Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks will once again handle most of the minutes left behind by the 26-year old. Jimmy Butler may also need to play heavy minutes now with the team’s starting point guard and small forward out.
The unfortunate career of Derrick Rose continues. He just cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries. Thankfully, this injury is not as severe as his previous knee ailments.
