Derrick Rose to Return Tonight vs Orlando Magic

The Chicago Bulls are expected to have Derrick Rose back in the lineup Wednesday night, as they take on the Magic in Orlando.

Rose says he’s happy to be back on the floor following a Feb.27 minor right knee operation.

Chicago has gone 10-10 without Rose, and the superstar point guard will be on a minutes restriction in his first game back.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

“I’ve been putting a lot of work in, busting my ass to get back,” Rose said before shootaround. “I’m just happy that I’m able to come back to a team where I think we’re playing all right basketball. I think defensively we’re playing good. Offensively, I shouldn’t have to worry about it, just come back and play the way I normally play.”

 

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose, who has missed 20 games since undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery on Feb. 27, will initially be limited to roughly 20 minutes. Neither Thibodeau nor Rose ruled out the guard also playing Thursday night as the Bulls finish a back-to-back set of games in Miami.

 

“I don’t have any expectations,” Rose said. “Just come out here and play the way that I normally play and see how things go. This will really be like a baseline. […] I’m going to be winded for sure. Just missing so many weeks, so many days, you’re going to be winded. That comes along with coming back from surgery and not playing the game in a couple weeks. (But there’s) relief that I got enough time to get some games under my belt and see where I am.”