CHICAGO (AP) Derrick Rose crumbled to the floor, clutching his left knee. His season is over and the Bulls' title hopes just might be finished, too.
Rose will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in
Chicago's 103-91 victory over the
Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's playoff opener, casting big cloud over a team eyeing a championship run.
He scored 23 points and was playing more like the league's reigning
MVP after missing 27 games because of injuries during the regular
season, but his injury-plagued season came to an end as the Bulls were
wrapping up an impressive victory.
Rose crumbled to the ground after he drove the lane with about 1:20
left and the Bulls leading by 12. He was going for a layup when he came
to a jump-stop and seemed to change his mind as the 76ers' Spencer Hawes
and Lavoy Allen rotated over, passing off to a teammate before an
awkward landing.
Team medical personnel immediately rushed out and tended to Rose for
several minutes as he was writhing in pain near the baseline before
helping him to the locker room. Rose was taken to the hospital, and the
results of the MRI were not good.