Nagging elbow injury shelves Rose
Derrick Rose is proud of playing more games this season than in any season since his 2010-11 MVP campaign — but the little injuries are starting to add up.
He missed his 13th game Saturday — and sixth in the last 20 — because of a sore left elbow that has been bothering him since Monday against the Hawks.
Rose is day-to-day after an MRI exam revealed swelling on his bursa sac that is causing the pain.
“Every day, it’s getting better,” Rose said. “I’m able to push off a little bit more. But right now it’s still real tender. I can’t dribble the ball — or every time I get hit, just the vibration of getting hit [on the left arm] aggravates the spot.”
Rose said he suffered the injury when he fell and hit his elbow in the 102-100 loss to the Hawks at the United Center. He continued to play in that game and “tried to play through it” in a 98-96 victory Tuesday over the Pacers “and kind of reaggravated it, and it flared up then.” Rose played 12 minutes Thursday in the 103-100 victory against the Rockets but couldn’t put up a shot and sat out the second half.
This has been a season of rejuvenation for Rose, who’s averaging 16.5 points and 4.7 assists in 63 games. But he has not played more than 17 consecutive games.
He said he’s not letting this string of injuries get him down — not after what he has been through.
“Nah — I’m too blessed, man, too blessed,” Rose said. “I played in numerous games this year. Still got a chance to make the playoffs. I’m not worried about being down [mentally].
“It’s just reality. The reality is that I’ve got to deal with an injury. I fell on the floor. You’re going to fall here and there. You’re going to have injuries. You just have to try to get through it and get back on the floor.”
Blossoming Felicio
After barely playing token minutes for most of the season, 6-11, 275-pound rookie center Cristiano Felicio played a key role in the victories over the Pacers (eight points, five rebounds in seven minutes) and Rockets (five points, four rebounds, three assists in 15 minutes).
“I’ve been telling the coaching staff all year, they did a good job [finding him],” Taj Gibson said. “Cris is a sleeper. People don’t understand. He’s a talented, young big man. He’s one of those guys you just have to leave him out there, and he’ll adjust real quickly. I think the sky’s the limit for him.”
Back-to-back stats
The Bulls play the Bucks on Sunday at the Bradley Center. They’re 6-10 in the second game of back-to-backs. The Bulls are 2-1 against the Bucks — winning 117-106 and 100-90 at the United Center and losing 106-101 at the Bradley Center.