Chicago: Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair his fractured left eye socket after being hit in the face by an elbow in his first NBA preseason practice.
The 26-year-old playmaker, the NBA’s 2011 Most Valuable Player, is expected back in a couple of weeks.
“At this time it is estimated he will be able to resume basketball activities in two weeks,” a team statement said.
First-year Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said earlier that he hopes to have Rose in the line-up for the October 27 opener against Cleveland.
“The surgery went as expected,” Hoiberg said. “It’s not structural damage that will keep him out. Once it’s healed, he’ll be ready to go.”
The injury took place on Tuesday as Rose was driving to the basket along the baseline and took an elbow to the face from a teammate.
Rose likely will need a mask when he returns to the court.
In the past four seasons, Rose has managed to play only 100 games because of various injuries, including surgery on both knees.
“He’ll be back in no time,” teammate Joakim Noah said.
The Bulls are already without Mike Dunleavy Jr for at least another two months following back surgery last week.