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Rose leaves Cavs for 'personal matter'

 
FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Derrick Rose, left, drive against Atlanta Hawks' Dennis Schroder (17), from Germany, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. Rose has left the Cavaliers to attend to a personal matter, a team spokesman said Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File) NY905
FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Derrick Rose, left, drive against Atlanta Hawks' Dennis Schroder (17), from Germany, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. Rose has left the Cavaliers to attend to a personal matter, a team spokesman said Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File) NY905
Published Nov. 24, 2017

CLEVELAND — Derrick Rose's injuries might have pushed him to a breaking point.

The 2011 league MVP, who has been trying to revive his career with the Cavaliers, left the team Wednesday to handle a personal matter. A team spokesman said Friday that Rose had been excused, and there was no timetable for his return. The team did not offer any other details about his absence.

Rose, 29, is taking personal time "to evaluate his future in the NBA," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue told ESPN. Rose has not been with the team since Monday in Detroit, ESPN reported, when he was seen wearing a walking boot.

Rose's agent, former player B.J. Armstrong, did not immediately return messages from the Associated Press.

Speaking before Cleveland's game against Charlotte on Friday, Lue acknowledged that Rose is dealing with a personal matter but said he does expect him back at some point.

"I don't have a time frame," Lue said. "You know, I want him to take his time. Like I said, it's a personal matter. Just know the team, the coaches, the organization, we all have his back. I wish him well, and we expect to have him back."

Rose has been limited to seven games this season because of a left ankle injury the point guard sustained on Oct. 20 in Milwaukee. He's averaging 14.3 points with Cleveland.

After winning the MVP award with the Bulls, Rose's career has been slowed by knee injuries, which have required surgeries. He sat out the entire 2012-13 season in Chicago and played only 10 games the following year due to injury.

After spending last season with the Knicks, Rose signed a one-year, $2.1 million free agent contract this summer with the Cavs. The Cavaliers edged the Hornets 100-99 on Friday. LeBron James had 27 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists, and J.R. Smith made the tie-breaking free throw with 48 seconds left.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Kyrie Irving scored 17 of his 30 points in the first half and the host Celtics coasted to a 118-103 win over the Magic. Jonathon Simmons scored 14 for Orlando, and Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 11 rebounds. … Andre Drummond had 17 points and 14 rebounds and the Pistons overcame a 15-point deficit on the road to beat the Thunder 99-98. Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook had a triple double of 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds. … Damian Lillard scored 34, Jusuf Nurkic added 29 and the visiting Trail Blazers rallied to edge the Nets 127-125. … The Heat hit a season-high 19 3-pointers in a 109-97 win over the host Timberwolves. … Dennis Schroder scored 26 as the host Hawks beat the Knicks 116-104.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Sixers point guard Ben Simmons will not play when the Magic visits Philadelphia today. After the team's game Wednesday, Simmons noticed swelling in his left elbow. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated Sunday. … Wizards point guard John Wall had an MRI exam on his sore left knee, NBC Sports Washington reported.