In the ultimate two minutes of Monday’s loss to the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan requested to be taken off the courtroom.
It was a rarity for DeRozan, who prides himself on his resilience after taking part in greater than 90% of the potential video games in his 14-year profession.
But as DeRozan manages a lingering harm in his proper leg, the All-Star has confronted day by day evaluations of whether or not it’s price it to maintain taking part in by way of the ache.
“It’s been bad, to be honest with you,” DeRozan mentioned of the harm. “I’ve never been one to complain, but it’s just something I’ve been dealing with for a while.”
The supply of the ache is one thing of a thriller — even to DeRozan himself. He mentioned it dates to “10 games before the Boston game” on Jan. 11, which he exited with a strained proper quadriceps.
When he first incurred the harm, DeRozan mentioned he thought it was a bruised knee. He missed the following three video games with the quad pressure earlier than returning to the lineup Jan. 19. DeRozan additionally sat out final Tuesday’s recreation in Memphis with a sore proper hip.
This timeline means DeRozan has been taking part in by way of ache for eight weeks. Despite fixed discomfort when he strikes or engages his proper leg, DeRozan mentioned the supply of the ache has not been recognized as a tear, break or different tangible harm.
“It’s a weird feeling,” he mentioned. “I’ve never felt nothing like this. When I’m sitting doing nothing, I don’t feel anything. It’s just when I do anything to work that muscle in my leg, it’s just a lot of discomfort.”
DeRozan mentioned he’ll meet with the Bulls medical workers Tuesday to re-examine the reason for his discomfort. He wasn’t sure after Monday’s recreation if that would come with an MRI or X-ray.
Despite persevering with to steer the Bulls in scoring, DeRozan’s manufacturing has dipped for the reason that harm. He averaged 18.2 factors over his final six video games, a extreme drop-off from his season common of 25.5 factors. DeRozan mentioned the discomfort has impeded his means to shoot.
“It’s been tough to get explosion on a lot of my shots and everything,” he mentioned. “I’m just dealing with the discomfort of it, the pain, all that. Ain’t no excuse for me. I’m going to figure it out one way or another. As soon as I get back to myself, the rhythm part will come.”
The Bulls play back-to-back video games Wednesday in Indiana and Thursday at house towards the Milwaukee Bucks earlier than heading into the All-Star break. DeRozan mentioned he isn’t apprehensive concerning the All-Star Game and nonetheless plans to take part on this weekend’s festivities in Salt Lake City.
DeRozan mentioned it’s “too soon” to decide on sitting out both recreation this week, however he didn’t instantly shrug off the thought — a change of tempo from his usually dogged need to play each recreation.
Barring a critical harm, the choice to play will come all the way down to DeRozan. The veteran mentioned the medical and training staffs have given him company to determine how a lot discomfort he can deal with in any given recreation.
“It’s just a trust factor,” DeRozan mentioned. “If something’s not broke or torn or something, I’m going to figure out how to go out there and play every single night. It’s all about the tolerance of how much I can deal with, and they trust me with it.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com