Jan. 13--Derrick Rose landed in the starting lineup Monday night as the Chicago Bulls faced the Orlando Magic at the United Center, returning after missing one game to left knee soreness.
Rose has missed 11 games this season, but Saturday night marked his first lost to knee soreness. That's the one surgically repaired in May 2012 after he tore the ACL. A torn right meniscus ended his first comeback last season after just 10 games.
"Feeling good, in good spirits," Rose said. "My knee is fine, so I'm not worried about it. It's nothing I didn't have before, just a little sore, so just trying to be cautious about it."
Indeed, Rose missed one exhibition game this summer when he played for USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup. The Bulls' guard said sitting one game and receiving treatment for a full day typically solves the minor soreness.
"It's not out the norm," Rose said. "Having two knee surgeries, it's just some type of soreness that came upon from playing in (Friday's) Washington game, and it held me back a game. If it was something that was lingering or I felt it the entire time along that stretch, that 15-game, 20-game stretch I would have been very worried about it. But I didn't feel it until after the Washington game."
Rose, who didn't require an MRI exam, said he spent Sunday getting acupuncture, a massage, icing the knee and using a stimulation unit on it. He participated fully in Monday's morning shootaround.
"I know exactly what it is," Rose said about experiencing soreness. "I know how to warmup my body. I think I've become a great pro, and having two knee injuries you really learn how to take care of your body. I think I'm doing a great job with it."
Mike Dunleavy missed his sixth straight game with his jammed right ankle, but coach Tom Thibodeau said he's improving. An MRI exam revealed nothing serious, and Dunleavy could return later this week.
Tony Snell drew his second straight start at small forward.
