Stacy Revere/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — When the Knicks hit the court to face the Pelicans Monday night, one key team member was missing — point guard Derrick Rose.
Though his absence initially appeared mysterious (Knicks staff and players grew concerned and even checked Rose’s apartment), sources later told ESPN the Chicago native had returned to his hometown for a family matter.
The team last saw the 28-year-old point guard earlier Monday for the shootaround, but Rose failed to show up to Madison Square Garden before Monday night’s game. Ahead of tipoff, team officials released a statement that Rose was not with the team, but didn’t comment further.
Teammate Joakim Noah told reporters Monday night that Rose’s health is “OK,” which was “a relief for all of us.”
Immediately after Monday’s night’s game, reasons for Rose’s absence appeared to remain unknown.
“Right now we don’t have information to really give you anything,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said in a post-game news conference, according to ESPN. “So that’s just going to have to wait until we hear something from Derrick himself.”
The Knicks lost to the Pelicans 110-96.
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