Nov 22, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) walks out of the Moda Center on crutches after being injured in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers won the game 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Rose suffered a right knee injury in the 3rd quarter of tonight’s Trail Blazers game. There was no contact on the play and the Chicago Bulls fear that Rose may have torn his other ACL or possibly (conjecture) his right meniscus. The lesser of two evils would be the latter, but as of right now, we’ll hope for the best in neither.
Good source tells me #Bulls fear it's a torn right ACL for Derrick Rose. If so, unlikely he will ever be the same.
— Jordan Bernfield (@jordanbernfield) November 23, 2013
The injury occurred when Derrick Rose circled for the back-cut behind Nicolas Batum, who stole the pass from Joakim Noah. Rose’s knee buckled noticeably on the play and he did not re-enter the game after being helped to the locker room by a team trainer.
In his absence, the Trail Blazers recovered from a 21 point deficit to win the game 98-95. While the victory marks the Trail Blazers’ 9th in a row, it feels hollow. They certainly earned it, having done most of their damage before Rose’s exit, but I can’t walk away from the Moda Center entirely content.
When a player tears their ACL they are 10% more likely to tear their other upon return to action, because of instinctual favoritism. It would appear that Derrick Rose may have suffered this fate, but we will know more after his MRI tomorrow.
It doesn’t look good for the 2011 MVP. He was seen leaving the Moda Center on crutches and was reportedly unable to put weight on his knee in the locker room. Regardless of franchise affiliation, I would like to offer my condolences to Derrick, the Bulls, and the fans. I wish him the best.