Derrick Rose all set to play in game-2 against the Atlanta Hawks in spite of a re-aggravated ankle injury
On Monday night, the Chicago Bulls lost the game-1 of their Eastern Conference semi-final series against the Atlanta Hawks. With the win, Atlanta also neutralized the home-court advantage for the rest of the series.
However, those were not the only bad news that came out of the game. Chicago’s All-Star and now the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the regular season, Derrick Rose provided the most alarming concern for the Bulls on the night, as he re-aggravated his left ankle sprain. Rose twisted his left ankle just seconds before the Hawks registered a 103-95 victory in the second-round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2011 playoffs.
Rose aggravated his injury when he was looking to steal the ball and during the process he came close to Hawks guard Jamal Crawford. In a scramble form the ball, Rose inadvertently landed on Crawford's foot and immediately started limping after that.
Subsequent to the injury Rose said, "Don't know [what happened], just came over, tried to steal the ball. Twisted it somehow."
Rose was immediately taken to the hospital for x-rays, which came negative. The good news for the Bulls is that despite of the strained left ankle, Rose took full part on Tuesday’s practice session.
After receiving the NBA's MVP Award on Tuesday afternoon Rose said, "It's fine. Actually the medicine they gave me yesterday on it was great. I woke up this morning feeling great. Practice, worked out afterwards so I'm great."
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was also buoyant, on Derrick’s chances for the game-2.
Thibodeau said of Rose, who wore an ankle brace during practice "He did everything. He's fine. He's good. He came in today, he didn't have any swelling, and he said he was fine. He went through everything so that's encouraging."
Rose had also twisted the same ankle against the Indiana Pacers on April 23 in game-4 of the first round playoff series, which the Bulls won 4-1. He managed to make a comeback in that game and also took part in game-5.
Rose is all set to grasp the court for now. However, if his ankle continues to trouble him right through the Bulls' playoff run, it surely is going to affect Chicago's single-driven offense. The Bulls, who actually had experienced extraordinary trouble in racking up points against the eighth seeded Pacers, scored quite belligerently against the Hawks on Monday, who have slightly feeble defence in comparison to the Pacers.
Although the Bulls lost the first game and may perhaps struggle if Rose fail to recuperate in time, but still, one cannot rule out the Bulls so early from the contest, as they are greedy and have proved time and time again, that they have the power to overcome any odds.
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