NBA Update: Shaquille O’Neal hopeful to return; Derrick Rose day-to-day with several injuries
Boston Celtics’ giant Shaquille O’Neal is optimistic about his return back to play on Wednesday when the Celtics get ready to play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
On account of a sore left calf, O’Neal was rested for two straight games as the Celtics met the Philadelphia 76ers last Thursday and then the Charlotte Bobcats last Saturday.
Before practice on Tuesday, O’Neal was optimistic that he is ready to play. However Celtics’ coach Doc Rivers said that he would see O’Neal through practice first before deciding to play him or not.
The giant’s absence from the court put extreme pressure for the Celtics in the centre. O’Neal’s absence coupled with Jermaine O’Neal’s absence and Kendrick Perkin being out until February recovering from knee surgery has put the
Celtics in much danger, though the team has done its best to keep their ten games winning streak alive.
Although the Celtics’ giant is hopeful for a return, Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose is listed as day-to-day now plagued with injuries.
Rose went down in a heap on Monday after he suffered multiple injuries during the Bulls’ game with Indiana Pacers. He has a sprained right wrist, a bruised right elbow and a sore right hip. Rose also has a sprained left ankle.
The point guard is however, hopeful that he will see some action on Wednesday when the Bulls visit Toronto to take on the Toronto Raptors.
Rose is reported to have said, "It was very tough last night getting to sleep. Right now, it's just a little sore. "My hip is really messed up. I just have to get treatment on the plane, and hopefully by tomorrow I'll be all
right. If it's up to me, I'm going. If it's sore, usually I can play through soreness."
Bulls’ coach Tom Thibodeau anticipates that Rose will be able to play. However, he has also stated that C.J. Watson will start if Rose is unable to play.
Talking about Rose’s injuries and Watson playing, Thibodeau said, "He's a little nicked up. His ankle is fine. He's got a little soreness in the elbow and a little soreness in the wrist. If he says he can play, he'll play.
He's moving around pretty good today...The way this team has played all year is that if one person can't go, then someone else steps up. C.J. has done a really good job for us."
Should Rose play against the Raptors and O’Neal against the Knicks, the two teams will surely keep their winning streaks intact.
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