With Rose missing at Garden, Knicks lose against Pelicans
Derrick Rose missed the New York Knicks’ loss to New Orleans on Monday night at Madison Square Garden for reasons that remained unclear.
The Knicks would not comment on Rose’s whereabouts or his absence, though a source told ESPN that the point guard later reached team officials, telling them he had a family situation and had returned to his hometown of Chicago.
Center Joakim Noah said after the game that he spoke to Rose and his longtime Chicago teammate was OK.
“Obviously, Derrick’s one of our better players and when he’s not here, it’s tough, but just happy that everything is OK with him,” Noah said.
Rose practiced with the team during its morning shootaround, and head coach Jeff Hornacek gave no indication shortly before the game that the point guard would not be available.
Brandon Jennings started at the point, and the Knicks said only that Rose was not with the team. Even New York players weren’t aware of the details after a 110-96 loss to the Pelicans.
“We don’t know what is going on,” forward Kristaps Porzingis said. “I hope Derrick is fine. I have zero information about what is going on.”
Rose has played in 33 of 37 games during his first season with the Knicks, averaging 17.3 points. New York acquired him from Chicago on the eve of the NBA draft in June. He will be a free agent after this season.
In the game, the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis had 40 points and 18 rebounds before leaving with a left hip injury. He was fouled hard by Kyle O’Quinn, who was ejected for swinging his arm down on Davis, who was dribbling on a fast break and was knocked into the front row behind the baseline.
Thunder 109, Bulls 94:
Russell Westbrook had 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, helping visiting Oklahoma City take control. Steven Adams scored 22 points and Enes Kanter had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City. Dwyane Wade led Chicago with 22 points.
Timberwolves 101, Mavericks 92:
Karl-Anthony Towns had 34 points and 11 rebounds, Ricky Rubio added 13 points and 15 assists, and host Minnesota snapped a four-game skid. Harrison Barnes scored 30 points for the Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki had 26, including five three-pointers.
Bennett waived:
The Nets waived Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft. Bennett played in 23 games for the Nets, his fourth team. He averaged 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game.