LOS ANGELES: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose is on leave and in the process of assessing his future with the NBA team, US media reported Friday.
Rose has missed the past seven games due to a sprained left ankle, the latest in a long list of ailments he has suffered during his all-star career.
American sports broadcaster ESPN quoted a team source as saying that Rose is “tired of being hurt and it’s taking a toll on him mentally.”
Rose was the 2011 league MVP as a member of the Chicago Bulls before multiple knee injuries interrupted his career.
The 29-year-old Rose is in his first season with Cleveland. The Cavaliers said Rose’s current absence is excused.
“Take as long as he wants to take, and we wish him well and we want him back,” coach Tyronn Lue said.
Rose originally suffered the ankle injury on October 20. He returned to play in five games but suffered a setback on November 7 and has not played since.
Rose, a three-time all-star, is averaging 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.7 turnovers in seven games this season.
Derrick Rose leaves Cavaliers due to personal reasons
Derrick Rose leaves Cavaliers due to personal reasons
Last-gasp Lukaku saves Napoli’s blushes at rock-bottom Verona
- Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to give third-placed Napoli all three points
- He gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing
MILAN: Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward’s first goal of the season.
Lukaku forced home Giovane’s cross to give third-placed Napoli all three points with the last kick of the game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Napoli had looked like dropping points in northern Italy when Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro levelled Rasmus Hojlund’s early opener in the 65th minute.
But Lukaku, who only played his first game of the season in late January, gave Napoli a huge win with both Como and Atalanta pushing for a top-four placing.
However Napoli’s title defense is all but over as they trail runaway league leaders Inter Milan, who host Genoa in Saturday’s late match, by 11 points after an injury-ravaged season.
Napoli were missing key midfielders Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa on Saturday, as well as captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Verona, under interim coach Paolo Sammarco following the sacking of Paolo Zanetti earlier this month, are 10 points from safety after a 12th straight match without a win.
Como, who face Inter in the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday, strolled to 3-1 victory over strugglers Lecce to continue their push for a first-ever qualification for European football.
Cesc Fabregas’s team are two points behind Roma, in fourth and Juventus’ opponents on Sunday, and five behind Napoli.
Star man Nico Paz started on the bench for Como ahead of that clash with Inter, the Argentine starlet coming on midway through the second half with the hosts already two goals to the good.
Como went behind early to a fine Lassana Coulibaly header, but Tasos Douvikas, Jesus Rodriguez and Marc Oliver Kempf all netted before half-time to secure a simple three points.
Como moved two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe’s elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.
