Report: Rose contemplated extended break from basketball

The reason for Derrick Rose's mysterious absence on Monday night could be much more serious than originally thought.

Rose was apparently so distraught Monday that he briefly debated taking an extended break from basketball to "clear his mind," Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports, citing two independent sources.

That was not the explanation Rose gave reporters Tuesday, revealing that he missed Monday's New York Knicks game to be with his mother.

"It was a family issue," Rose said. "It had nothing to do with the team or basketball. That's the first time I ever felt like that emotionally and I had to be with my family."

Whatever the reason, Rose's absence did not sit well with the Knicks organization, which is reportedly less willing to give its starting point guard a lucrative extension this summer.

New York ultimately fined the 28-year-old for his actions.