Derrick Rose is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having put an end to his self-imposed separation from the team days ago. He has been dealing with a sprained left ankle for much of his first season with Cleveland, but is doing rehab work with the team now.
On Friday, Rose spoke to the media for the first time since his departure. In that conversation, he revealed his left ankle issues are due to a bone spur that may require him having a procedure if the rehab work he is doing doesn’t help it.
Derrick Rose, speaking to the media for the first time since his return to the Cavs, revealed he has a bone spur in his left ankle and acknowledged that a procedure may be necessary if his rehab does not take.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 8, 2017
Rose had been in contact with coach Tyronn Lue and general manager Koby Altman in recent days. The conversations were described as “positive,” and the team said he will report to its Cleveland Clinic Courts training facility.
There is no timetable on when he’ll play.
Rose, whose career has been dogged by serious knee injuries, initially hurt his ankle on Oct. 20 in Milwaukee. He’s made seven starts and is averaging 14.3 points and 26.9 minutes with the Cavs, who signed him to a one-year, $2.1 million free-agent contract this summer.
The three-time defending Eastern Conference champions anticipated using Rose as a backup to Isaiah Thomas. However, with Thomas continuing to recover from a hip injury, Rose was thrust into the starting lineup to start the season and showed flashes of his All-Star form while dealing with the sore ankle.
“Everyone’s happy that he is back,” Lue said. “All the players are happy and excited that he’s back, as well as the coaches and the front office. We’re just glad that he’s in a good place right now. We’re just happy to have him back. No hard feelings.”
The 28-year-old has averaged 19.4 points, 5.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds since being taken as the No. 1 overall pick in 2008.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
