An MRI revealed no significant injury to Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who fell hard to the court during Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic.
The MRI on Rose's lower back and right hip was taken on Wednesday night at Rush University Medical Center.
Rose will be re-examined by team physician Brian Cole on Saturday in Dallas, where he'll be attending All-Star Game festivities.
Rose was driving for a layup in the first quarter when Dwight Howard fouled him, dropping Rose flat on his back. Rose eventually shot his free throw and left the game. An X-ray in the United Center showed no structural damage, and that was confirmed by the MRI.
The second-year guard was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team, becoming the Bulls' first All-Star since Michael Jordan in 1998. Rose also is scheduled to defend his Skills Challenge title during All-Star festivities Saturday in Dallas.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said there is no deadline for Rose to decide whether he'll able to participate in this weekend's activities.
"The guy earned his chance to be here, and we want to give him every chance to play," Frank said from Dallas. "I wouldn't say we have a contingency plan, but I'm sure [NBA vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson] has a list of players who he could replace someone with if someone can't participate.
"We're optimistic he'll be here."
Derrick Rose's All-Star Game Appearance Is Now in Question
Derrick Rose was shocked to hear that he would be joining the Eastern Conference All-Stars as a reserve.
"I was in awe just thinking about it," Rose told Bulls' reporter Adam Fluck after the announcement was formally made just under two weeks ago.
Now it seems that Rose will have a decision to make. After coming down awkwardly on his backside Wednesday night against the Magic, he left the game and reports are that he will not return after suffering a bruised right hip.
Rose will now have a similar dilemma that is facing the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant. Should they play in the All-Star game amidst a little bruising and soreness, or take the weekend off and concentrate on being healthy for the second half of the season?
My answer for both players is to just sit this one out. For Kobe, this would be his 12th All-Star game, for Rose, just his first. But both would clearly benefit from a few days off, especially in a league where regular season play is constant and where three days off is almost non-existent.
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