Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Likely Out On Wednesday But Staying Optimistic

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose continues to deal with a litany of injuries that have shortened his already lockout-abbreviated 2011-2012 NBA season, and at this point there's nothing to hold onto but hope. According to K.J. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Rose isn't expected to play on Wednesday against the Charlotte Bobcats as he deals with the pain from his latest injury.

Rose spoke with reporters recently and Johnson has the quotes:

I remember walking back to the locker room and it was kind of sore. I took my shoe off and felt throbbing. Walking was messed up.It’s tendons around my ankle that have fluid on them. The fluid causes pain. I’m waiting for fluid to get out as quick as possible. If you put things in the universe, they come true. I’m staying focused, positive.

For now, Rose says that he's optimistic about his health for the playoffs and he hopes to get back onto the court before the end of the regular season. At this point, Bulls fans just have to be crossing their fingers that a potential championship season won't implode due to the injuries of a single player.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls Point Guard Will Travel To Charlotte, Miami

The Chicago Bulls (46-15) find themselves once again without their superstar PG Derrick Rose, who is struggling with a right foot injury. The good news, however, is that the Bulls will bring their point guard with them as they visit the Charlotte Bobcats (7-53) and Miami Heat (43-17) this week, meaning Rose could be able to play in either of those games.

Rose, one of the league's top players, has played in only 37 of the Bulls 61 games in the 2011-12 NBA Season. He leads the team with 22.5 points and 7.9 assists per game, and in his absence, the Bulls have turned to PG C.J. Watson, who has scored a respectable 15.4 points per 36 minutes.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls Expect Star Point Guard To Play Vs. Heat, According To Report

The Chicago Bulls hold a three lead over the Miami Heat for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but with two of the eight remaining regular season games being matchups against Miami, Chicago's No. 1 seed in the playoffs is anything but assured. The Bulls still need wins if they want homecourt in a potential Eastern Conference finals rematch, and for that to happen, they'll likely need star point guard Derrick Rose on the court.

Rose missed 12 straight games with a groin injury before returning on Eastern Sunday against the New York Knicks in a loss at Madison Square Garden. Rose suffered an ankle injury during the defeated that kept him out of Tuesday night's rematch with New York at the United Center. With a game against the Heat looming Thursday night, everyone wants to know if the Bulls will have Rose in tow.

Here's what we know right now: the Bulls are expecting Rose to play, according to the Trib's K.C. Johnson.

This time, the surprise would be if DRose doesn't play. Ankle has improved 3 straight days. #Bulls expect him in vs. Heat.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 11, 2012

The Bulls defeated the Heat without Rose on March 14 behind 24 points from John Lucas III. Chicago also plays Miami on April 19.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Is Game-Time Decision For Thursday's Miami Game

The Chicago Bulls have already proven that they can beat the Miami Heat without starting point guard Derrick Rose in the lineup, but they may have to do it again as their star player continues to be plagued by injuries. According to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago, Rose practiced on Wednesday as the swelling in his ankle went away, but he's still a game-time decision for Thursday's game between the Bulls and Heat.

Rose has dealt with a variety of injuries all year, causing him to miss over 20 games in the abbreviated 2011-2012 season. The Bulls have had great success even without their star player, including an impressive victory over Miami last month, but they'll be pressed to maintain that success down the stretch as the playoffs near.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Chicago Bulls Point Guard Unlikely To Play Vs. Knicks On Tuesday (PODCAST)

Derrick Rose Injury Update: Bulls Guard Spotted In Walking Boot After Tweaking Ankle, Downgraded To Game-Time Decision Vs. Knicks

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose finally returned to action on Sunday against the New York Knicks after missing 12 straight games with a groin injury, but he tweaked his ankle during that 100-99 loss and his status is now in doubt for the rematch on Tuesday night. The reigning MVP looked rusty at Madison Square Garden this past weekend, and his 8-26 shooting performance with eight turnovers cast doubt on him being at 100 percent anyways, but K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Rose wore a walking boot on Monday and is a game-time decision for Tuesday's home game against Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks:

Rose, for starters, tweaked an ankle at some point in Sunday's game, which he finished. The extent of the injury is unknown, however sources said Rose wore a walking boot on Monday and his availability for Tuesday's shot at redemption against the Knicks is a game-time decision.

With a two-game lead on the Miami Heat for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, the Bulls could certainly afford to rest Rose down the stretch if they needed to do so. However, the real concern is that their star guard has had trouble staying on the court for any extended period of time this season. He has missed 22 games due to a litany of health issues, including turf toe, a back injury, a groin pull and now perhaps an ankle ailment.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Practices, Tom Thibodeau Encouraged

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose took contact while participating during the team's entire practice on Wednesday and coach Tom Thibodeau is encouraged by the progress, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. At this point, Rose is a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics.

While Chicago has had stunning success with C.J. Watson, John Lucas III and Mike James filling in for Rose at various points this season, it's obvious that the Bulls need their best player to compete at the highest level. Rose hasn't played since injuring his groin against the New York Knicks on March 12, with Wednesday's practice being the first time he's even taken contact since then.

If he can get on the court against Boston, he'll certainly be tested early by Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. In the 21 games that Rose has missed this season, the Bulls are 14-7.

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Derrick Rose Injury Update: Another Report Says Bulls Point Guard Is Still In Pain

Derrick Rose Injury Update: Bulls PG Will Not Play Sunday Against Thunder

The Chicago Bulls will have their only NBA regular season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, and it appears they will go without superstar point guard and reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday that Rose would not be playing in the game against the Thunder. McClure reports that Rose is still experiencing problems with his groin injury. McClure also relayed this quote from the star:

Rose on groin, "Just trying to stay positive. It feels the same."

Another quote reveals that Rose is being pragmatic about the situation.

Rose on being tempted to play against Thunder, "I'm not tempted at all. I'm worried about my health right now."

In the long term, it is best for Rose and for the Bulls to put his health first and foremost. The Bulls will enter the postseason no matter what. Far better to have the potential of a healthier Rose available at that time than a less-than-100% player immediately.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Discusses Groin Injury

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose told reporters over the weekend that he isn't sure when he'll be able to return to the court even though his groin is feeling better lately, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. He also noted that the injury, which he sustained against the New York Knicks on March 12, has proven to be worse than initially thought.

(I'm feeling) way better. (When the injury occurred) I was actually bleeding, my groin was bleeding, but now it's healed. It's just scar tissue and it's pretty hard trying to get that to move around, it's going to take little time.

It appears that Rose isn't making much contact yet in practices, mostly working in the swimming pool and on set jump shots. Given his aggressive approach as a player, it's hard to envision Rose looking similar if he's shying away from contact on the court.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG More Week-To-Week Than Day-To-Day

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has played in 34 regular season games during the 2011-12 season, and has produced at a very high level when on the court, but he has also missed 15 games due to various injuries. The latest ailment is his injured groin muscle, which has kept him out of five consecutive contests and will likely prevent him from playing on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors as well -- although he is officially listed as a game-time decision.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune has been trying to cut through the rhetoric presented by Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls organization regarding Rose's timetable for a return, and reported on Wednesday that the star guard is "more week-to-week than day-to-day."

Here is the meaty excerpt from K.C. Johnson's story:

"If someone is injured, regardless of where we are or who we're playing against, we don't want him to play," Thibodeau said before Wednesday's morning shootaround at Air Canada Centre. "If somebody is hurting and they can play, that's a different story. We want Derrick to be completely healthy. And when he is, he will play."

...Thibodeau continued his cat-and-mouse game of calling Rose a game-time decision with his groin injury, even though Rose hasn't begun running and is shuffling along rather than walking purposefully. There is no definitive timetable for either player's return, although Rose is more week-to-week than day-to-day.

The Bulls (39-10) still own the best record in the NBA and are currently 2.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, but Bulls fans have the right to be concerned about whether Rose can jump back into action and play as well as Chicago needs him to in order to knock off the Heat and get to the NBA Finals.

A nice night from John Lucas III makes for a good story every once and while, but the simple truth is that the Bulls depend heavily on Rose for offense and would be very vulnerable in the playoffs if he is anything less that 100 percent. This is a situation that should be monitored very closely by anyone rooting for the Bulls.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls Point Guard Expected To Miss Raptors Game On Saturday

Not much has changed with the status of Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who hasn't played since a March 12 victory over the New York Knicks at the United Center due to an injured groin. Rose has been day-to-day ever since, but the absence of the reigning MVP certainly hasn't slowed the Bulls: Chicago is 4-1 since went down with his latest injury in the season full of them. Coach Tom Thibodeau's team continues to have the best record in the NBA.

Rose is expected to miss his sixth straight game on Saturday when Chicago hosts the Toronto Raptors. According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Rose was scheduled to run for the first time on Friday evening since the injury. Earlier Friday, it was reported Rose ran in a pool and did shooting drills with Scottie Pippen, the Hall of Fame small forward who helped the Bulls to six championships in the '90s.

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Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Is Out Against Toronto

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose isn't playing against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night as he recovers from a strained groin. His back-up, C.J. Watson, is starting in his place, so expect him and John Lucas III to get significant playing time.

This is the 15th game that Rose has missed this season due to injury, as he's fought through a variety of ailments to lead the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference. He's now missed five straight games with the groin issue, which he sustained against the Knicks over a week ago.

The Bulls are 10-4 this season without Rose, so they should be okay against a lowly Toronto team. With a 2.5-game lead against the Miami Heat in the standings and 18 games remaining, the Bulls have the top seed for the playoffs in their reach.

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