DeMar DeRozan has a triumphant return from a quad injury and is determined to play in the second game of a back-to-back

Deebo ended up missing just one game due to the quad injury.

Even though DeMar DeRozan was absent for just a game, his significance to the Chicago Bulls is so substantial that it felt like an eternity before he was able to return. He had suffered a quad injury that kept him out of the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers as well as the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he recovered just in time to help the Bulls take down the Los Angeles Lakers, 118-108, on Sunday afternoon.

Couldn't get any elevation

DeRozan reported he was just as sore as he could possibly be, especially in the game against the Sixers where he couldn't get any lift on his shots, resulting in an 0-for-7 shooting night that culminated in him leaving the game for good early in the third quarter. With Philadelphia in front by a wide margin, DeRozan thought it was best to just call it a night and get his injury treated immediately.

"I just couldn't get no lift on anything," DeRozan said. "It just was extremely sore. I was trying to fight through it to loosen it up and see if I could catch a rhythm. It just didn't give way, so I didn't want to risk it. We were already down."

DeRozan added that he's been bothered by the same injury since January, but he's just been gutting it out to try and help the team return to the playoffs.

"I've been feeling it since January. I just find ways to get through most of the games."

Compton's in the house. pic.twitter.com/P3imtRUcsi

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 26, 2023

Back at home

A proud native of Compton, California, DeRozan relished in the familiar surroundings and put on a show at the Crypto.com Arena, putting up 17 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds against the Lakers.

"There's always a motivation factor just because it's home. I love coming home, playing against any historic team regardless," said DeRozan.

DeRozan may have played just one season at USC, but his connection to the Trojans remains strong.

"Me being from here played a big part," DeRozan said. "It just didn't end after I left here. I work out here every summer. I come back all the time. I've been to a couple games. Every year, I try to make it to at least one football game. I stay locked in to the school even though I went for a year."

DeRozan is also determined to play in the second game of a back-to-back on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Clinical by Deebo.@DeMar_DeRozan | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/KuWT7qWElH

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 26, 2023