Five years ago, Derrick Rose looked like the player destined to lead the Bulls back to greatness. Now he's just trying to get back on the court to make an impact.
Just before the Bulls tipped off against the Raptors on Sunday, the team announced that Rose will undergo an MRI on his right knee, according to ESPN. The Bulls would win that game 115-113 behind 42 points for Jimmy Butler, who broke Michael Jordan's Bulls record with 40 points after halftime. It was the Bulls' fourth win in a row but the third without Rose.
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At one time it was unthinkable that the Bulls might be better without Rose. Now, that doesn't seem to be such a wild assertion. The Bulls are 4-1 without Rose this season, with the lone loss coming to the Warriors. Even with Rose on the floor, Butler still has the ball in his hands for much of the time.
The 2010-2011 NBA MVP has missed significant time with injuries to both knees since he tore his left ACL in 2012, as well as other injuries. He came into the season hoping that those injury troubles were behind him, but he's dealt with injuries to his eye and hamstring in addition to the soreness that will force him to have the MRI.
Whether the Bulls are a better team without Rose for the long haul remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that he is no longer as intregal to the team's success as Butler or Pau Gasol, and maybe even a few others.
Tweet of the Night
At this point, the Suns could use any optimism.
FINAL: Lakers 97, Suns 77. The Suns did give up 45 fewer points than yesterday. #SunsAtLakers
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) January 4, 2016Studs of the Night
Jimmy Butler replaced Michael Jordan in the record books, scoring 40 of his 42 points after halftime as the Bulls beat the Raptors 115-113.
Aaron Afflalo was just as impressive Sunday, scoring 38 points as the Knicks beat the Hawks 111-97. Afflalo was 7-for-8 from the 3-point line.
Dud of the Night
The Wizards could not find the basket Sunday, shooting just 34.1 percent in a 97-75 loss to the Heat. They were even worse from the 3-point line, hitting just 4 of 29 attempts from long-range for a miserable 13.8 percentage.
Looking Ahead
Raptors (21-14) at Cavs (22-9) 7 p.m.: The Raptors won't have long to lick their wounds from Jimmy Butler's second-half scoring binge Sunday afternoon, as they head to Cleveland to battle LeBron James and the first-place Cavs.