NBA Playoffs 2015: Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose Says his Return ‘Felt Good’

By Cheri Cheng - 20 Apr '15 10:48AM

Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose played in a playoff game for the first time in almost three years.

Rose, who has been riddled with injuries these past few seasons after becoming the youngest player to win the Most Valuable Player award in 2011, made an impressive comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

The 26-year-old point guard scored 23 points and recorded seven assists in the 103-91 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Rose spoke about his return to the playoffs after the game.

"It felt good. It felt normal. I'm grateful to be playing again, playing with my teammates that I have right now. They're allowing me to play the way that I normally play, and it's an honor, man. I'm really fortunate because I think anywhere else it wouldn't be the same, and they're giving me motivation. They're pushing me, and it feels good," he said.

Bulls' center Joakim Noah added, "I think it as special to all of us. Derrick played really well, and I could just tell before the game he was just -- it was like more for the love of the game, you know? It was just good to see him out there competing the way he was competing. It felt really good."

Rose's last playoff game was on April 28, 2012 when the Bulls took on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs. Rose ended up tearing the ACL in his left knee. During that game, Rose also scored 23 points and helped the Bull get the 103-91 win.

"Time does go by quickly," head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "So you're talking about a guy now who's sort of in the middle of his career. He's been through a lot, so I think early on, you're 22 years old, you're the MVP of the league and there weren't many bumps in the road. He's hit a few bumps and he's gotten through those. So I think that's a good thing for him; the fact that he was able to get through it, I think it's made him stronger. And hopefully he can build on that and we can take off from here."

Game 2 of the Bulls-Bucks series will be on Monday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.