If you’re watching Monday night’s Knicks game, you probably noticed that New York is without the services of Derrick Rose. News of this came out earlier in the evening, and the team did not specify why their big-name point guard would be out on Monday.
As it turns out, the reason the Knicks did this was because they legitimately do not know why Rose didn’t show up for the game, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Not only is the Knicks’ front office unaware of what’s happening, but apparently, those close to Rose don’t know what’s up, either.
Sources: There are team officials, teammates and close associates unclear of reason for Derrick Rose's absence for Knicks-Pelicans at MSG.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2017
Additionally, Wojnarowski and Ian Begley of ESPN reported that team couldn’t reach Rose before the game.
At least one team official who tried to reach Derrick Rose before the game on Monday was unable to do so, league sources told ESPN.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Sources: At tip-off, Knicks still hadn't been in contact with Derrick Rose. Unclear if they've reached him — or kept trying — during game.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2017
It is very possible Rose could have a legitimate reason for missing game — family-related or otherwise — but that's yet to be determined.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2017
The scarier part may be that, unsurprisingly, no one knows if Rose is ok or not. According to Wojnarowski, Rose was unhappy with the organization, but there’s nothing to prove or disprove that this led to his absence.
As you'd expect, sources say Rose was unhappy with fourth quarter benching on Friday in Milwaukee — but unclear if that's impacted absence.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2017
This is easily one of the weirdest stories of the year. It’s possible that Rose is angry that the team benched him down the stretch during last week’s game against Milwaukee, but it would be something else if that made him so mad that he just straight up decided that he wasn’t going to play in a game. We’ll let you know when there are more details available.
UPDATE: Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek spoke after the game. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to provide too many details as to what happened with Rose.
Hornacek on Derrick Rose: "Right now we don't have enough information to give you anything." #NYKvsNOP #Knicks
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 10, 2017
He did, however, specify that he thinks Rose will come back, and he did imply that he knows what went down and will let that come out later this evening.
Hornacek said Knicks expect him back. Says he can't say any more. "We’re not going to go into it. Everything will become clear later on."
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) January 10, 2017
Jeff Hornacek says he believes Derrick Rose will back with the team.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Hornacek speaking didn’t make this story any clearer, but hopefully he’s right and we’ll know what went down sometime soon.
UPDATE 2: ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne has more information on what happens to Rose. The team has reportedly gotten in touch with him, and one source told Shelburne that a family issue kept him from making tonight’s game.
Re Derrick Rose: Sources tell ESPN he left w/out permission but has subsequently been in touch with team officials.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 10, 2017
According to sources Rose told the team he had a family situation.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 10, 2017
There’s still nothing official regarding Rose’s absence from the team.
