Maybe Derrick Rose’s 2014-2015 isn’t quite over after all. The day before the star point guard goes under the knife to fix a torn meniscus, Chicago Bulls officials said “the hope” is that Rose will play before this season ends.
The Bulls announced details of Rose’s surgery on their website earlier today:
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is scheduled to have a meniscectomy tomorrow morning to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. Head team physician Dr. Brian Cole will perform the surgery. A timetable for Rose’s return will be determined after tomorrow’s procedure.
Speaking with reporters this evening, Paxson and general manager Gar Forman expressed optimism that the 2011 MVP will play later this season following rehabilitation. Coach Tom Thibodeau stressed a similar measure of confidence.
Obviously, Pax and Gar are waiting to see what Dr. Cole sees tomorrow, but Bulls remain optimistic he'll be able to play again this year.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 27, 2015
Pax: "Nothing's an easy procedure but there's an area that's going to get taken care of. And the hope is that [Rose] will [play this year]."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 27, 2015
Pax sounds very optimistic. "This will be something that's hopefully easily corrected and he'll be better than ever …"
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 27, 2015
Thibs on Rose: "He's gone through a lot and that's our concern. We're hopeful that he'll be back soon."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 27, 2015
Though Chicago hasn’t specified a timeline for Rose’s recovery since news of his torn right meniscus broke Tuesday night, most assumed this latest setback would end his season. But the surgery the 25 year-old will undergo tomorrow could render that widespread assumption wrong.
A meniscectomy is the removal of all or a portion of the meniscus, and offers a quicker recovery time than a full repair of the torn cartilage. Rose opted for the latter procedure after tearing the same meniscus last November.
We’ll keep you updated as information on Rose’s status becomes available tomorrow.
