Derrick Rose accidentally ditches protective mask

Much has been made of the struggles of Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. The fallen star, bent and broken by injuries, has looked like a shell of himself.

But the former MVP rose to the occasion during Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers. After going scoreless in the first half, Rose poured in nine points in the fourth as the Bulls weathered a torrent 3-point fueled comeback attempt.

What was the difference in Rose's play? He ditched his protective mask at halftime after he "forgot" it in the locker room.

Rose had been wearing the mask since the preseason after the oft-injured guard caught an errant elbow during the first day of training camp. It left him with double vision in one eye, and a painful orbital bruise injury.

The injury has apparently healed enough to where Rose was given clearance three days ago to remove the mask. However, he stuck with the added protection in Wednesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. He had 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting in that game.

Going forward, Rose said he hadn't made a final decision on the mask. But based on Thursday's results, it's probably best that he plays without it.