Derrick Rose fined by Knicks, expected to play Wednesday

The point guard did not tell the Knicks he would miss Monday’s game, sending the team into a frenzy.

Knicks guard Derrick Rose has been fined by the team upon returning from an unexcused absence on Tuesday, the team announced. He is expected to play in Wednesday’s game against the 76ers. 

After attending morning shootaround on Monday, Rose was a late, unexpected scratch the team’s game against the Pelicans later that day after the Knicks repeatedly failed to reach him in the hours leading up to tip-off. ESPNlater reported that Rose had left the team without permission to deal with a family situation​ in Chicago.

Speaking with reporters after practice, Rose said his absence had nothing to do with basketball, and that he had to go see his mother.

Rose says he flew out to Chicago Monday afternoon. Got back this morning. First talked to the Knicks, thru Steve Mills, midgame. pic.twitter.com/PY1LMItvur

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) January 10, 2017

Derrick Rose said he spoke to both GM Steve Mills and team president Phil Jackson to explain his absence; they accepted his explanation.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017

He explained that he didn’t answer the Knicks’ calls on Tuesday because he needed “space to process what was happening with his family.”

It was reported on Monday night that Rose could face a suspension for not informing the team he would be absent, and has put his long-term future in New York in jeopardy. He was also reported to have been “privately fuming” over coach Jeff Hornacek’s decision to bench him in the fourth quarter on Friday in favor of undrafted rookie Ron Baker.

The 28-year-old has averaged 17.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds after coming over from the Bulls this summer in a trade. New York has now lost 8 of 9 after a 110–96 home loss to the Pelicans.

– Kenny Ducey