All the pain. All surgeries. All rehabilitations. All the frustration and setbacks. And overcoming all this, a renewed joy and triumph in the game moved Derrick Rose Wednesday night.
Tears ran down his face as he came out of the court. Given the ups and downs of his career, he can not be held accountable for his emotion after the 50-point evening of his career, which allowed the Minnesota Timberwolves outnumbered to take it 128-125 over. Utah Jazz.
For good measure, Kia's most valuable player in 2011 made two free throws in 13.8 seconds to seal the win and secure his 50 points. He scored when he counted, losing 34 points in the second half, including 15 in the tight fourth quarter.
Derrick Rose is moved after his 50-point game, his career high.
"I put a lot of hard work into my job," Rose said at the post-game press conference. He said he was comfortable with his coach Tom Thibodeau and the Wolves. According to him, Thibodeau predicts that the last stages of his career will be special. "It's all about rhythm … playing basketball and being a happy player, actually."
Derrick Rose speaks to reporters after his high career performance.
It was a rewarding and joyous, if not justifying, moment for a player who was planning to retire less than a year ago, after suffering an ankle injury, the Cavaliers having knee problems.
Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers, came off the bench to go 12-12 on the field and 6 of 7 on the free throw line to lead the Pacers beyond the 107-101 Knicks.
Rookie Wendell Carter Jr., the No. 7 draft of the 2018 draft by the Bulls, had his best scoring night with 25 points and eight rebounds in the Bulls' one-point loss to the Nuggets.
Andre Drummond of the Pistons had another great doubles double with 24 points and 23 rebounds in the 120-119 defeat of the Pistons in overtime against the Nets.
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