After going through a practice Sunday, it appears Derrick Rose will be available for Tuesday’s game in Portland after missing the last two with a left ankle sprain, saying “that’s what we’re aiming for”.
Rose went through a full practice at the Golden State Warriors practice facility in Oakland and aside from general fatigue, feels the ankle is recovering the way it should.
“The ankle feels alright. Just working on my game every day,” Rose said. “My body’s a little fatigued from sitting out so long but thank God we got today and tomorrow I think we’re gonna go pretty hard.”
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Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Rose looked good in practice and with Aaron Brooks out with a hamstring injury, Rose’s presence will be that much more crucial. Had Rose been healthy enough to play Friday against the Warriors, they very well could’ve ended the champs’ undefeated streak to start the season but came up short in the final five minutes.
“Well, today was a step in the right direction for sure,” Hoiberg said. “He got a good workout in [Saturday]. Still had a little soreness, but he wanted to try and push through, get through a full workout, and it was good to see him back out there again.’’
The Bulls left the Bay Area for Portland Sunday afternoon where they’ll practice again Monday before Tuesday’s game. Rose assumes going a full week without playing won’t be long enough to accumulate real rust.
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“I can keep (rhythm) for a little bit,” Rose said. “I’m loving the way I work out. Loving the way I’ve been running in practice, just my conditioning. The pace I’m playing with, the workout sessions. Everything’s going well.”
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Rose had been chasing a good performance and finally caught it in the last game he played, their last-second win against the Indiana Pacers where he missed the last half of the fourth quarter with the ankle injury.
Hoiberg believes games like his 23-point, six-assist showings will become more the norm than exception.
“Well hopefully,” Hoiberg said. “Again, his last game was a really good one. He was in a great rhythm, played a very good game, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off.’’