As the New York Knicks’ season continued to spiral away from the playoffs and into the mediocrity Knicks fans have come to know like an old friend, Derrick Rose disappeared on Monday night. The Knicks were hosting the New Orleans Pelicans, and right before game time, word got out that Rose was not with the team. Even as members of the Knicks assured everyone that Rose was okay, the mystery behind his absence only grew — but now we have a little more of an idea about what’s going on.
While the Knicks were getting blown out by the Pelicans, Rose was in Chicago for what he described to the team as a “family situation,” according to ESPN. By Tuesday morning, Rose was spotted speaking to Knicks GM Steve Mills at the team facility. Tuesday, in case you’re wondering, is an official off day for the team.
Derrick Rose said he returned to Chicago because he needed to be with his mother.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) January 10, 2017
For his disappearance, he has also been fined but is expected to participate in Wednesday’s game:
The Knicks just announced Derrick Rose has been fined for missing Monday's game and is expected to be in uniform Wednesday against Philly
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 10, 2017
Prior to the Pelicans game, Rose had been benched in the fourth quarter for the Knicks’ two previous games, a decision he was understandably upset about. Yet every source reporters seem to have talked to denies that any anger over his role on the team, or the team’s losing streak, had anything to do with his absence.
(Via ESPN)
