The New York Knicks played without Derrick Rose Monday and were blown out by the Pelicans. Nobody knows why the point guard isn’t there.
- New Orleans Pelicans 110 (15-24)
- New York Knicks 96 (17-21)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
The New York Knicks have reached such a pathetic level that two of their best players didn’t even want to be at tonight’s game.
Carmelo Anthony took a more subtle approach. The supposed leader bailed when he was ejected after receiving two technical fouls for cursing out a referee with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter and his team down 82-63.
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Derrick Rose was more direct. He didn’t even show up to the arena. In fact, the point guard wasn’t in contact with the team today at all.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical began the speculation after Tweeting that many people with the Knicks knew why Rose wasn’t at the game.
Rumors started that the reasons behind Rose’s absence were his fourth-quarter benching Friday night in Milwaukee or an unfortunate family-related issue.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek’s post-game comments made it appear that he knows the reason Rose wasn’t with the team tonight. But he’s decided to remain tight-lipped about the situation.
Barbara Barker of Newsday tweeted the coach’s comments (and no comments) on the Rose situation.
Brandon Jennings, who started in Rose’s place, said the team still hasn’t heard from the former MVP.
Courtney Lee stated that Rose was with the team this morning.
The situation is odd and a little scary. Hornacek’s comments indicate that he knows something, but wants to wait for the reasoning to come from Rose himself.
The Knicks were embarrassed on their home court tonight, but nobody was talking about the result.
We all just want to know where Derrick Rose is.
Update: Joakim Noah says his former teammate is okay.
Good news.