Superstar Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and Knicks defensive stopper Iman Shumpert both see their playoff runs end after incurring ACL knee injuries.

In the first game of what was a potential championship run for the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose collapsed on the court; possibly ending the Bulls hopes for an NBA title.  With a little over a minute to go and the Bulls leading by 12 Derrick Rose drove through the lane, jumpstopped and landed on the floor in severe pain.  As he was helped off the court, it was later revealed that he had a torn ACL and would miss the rest of the playoffs.

Although the Bulls won the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, there wasn't much cheering going on in the stands or in the Bulls locker room.  The team was just regaining confidence as they had finally gotten their team leader back from a series of injuries that had forced him to miss almost a third of the season.  With Rose now unavailable for the balance of the playoffs many in Chicago and around the country have doubts that the Bulls can make it past the 76ers and out of round 2, much less past the much-predicted Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Miami Heat.

In a similar turn of events, Iman Shumpert sustained a self-inflicted knee injury that ended his playoff run with the Knicks.  As Shumpert crossed half court early in the second half he had his knee buckle and immediately went down, writhing in pain.

It turns out that Shumpert tore his ACL and sustained a lateral tear of his meniscus.  His absence is devastating to the Knicks who are suspect on defense and look to Shumpert as their defensive stopper. 

"It's tough, man." Carmelo Anthony said when asked about the injury "It's an unfortunate situation for us to lose a guy like Shump the way he'd been playing and what he brings to our team. We're definitely going to miss that. Most importantly now, guys in place of him have to step up. My prayers go out to him."

With or without Shumpert it didn't seem like the Knicks had any answers for the Miami Heat Saturday in Game 1.  After being down by as much as 37 points, the Knicks eventually lost 100 -67; one of the worst playoff losses in Knicks history.  Without Shumpert (and Baron Davis who appears will miss Game 2 with back spasms) the Knicks may be looking at an early playoff exit again this year.

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