With Rose Out, Hornets Beat Bulls, 98-86

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Mo Williams scored 17 and the Charlotte Hornets beat Chicago 98-86 Wednesday night after the Bulls learned Derrick Rose will have yet another knee surgery.

Al Jefferson added 16 points to help the Hornets snap a five-game losing streak. But all that was overshadowed by the news that Rose needs another operation.

The Bulls revealed Tuesday night that their star point guard has a torn meniscus in his right knee, a big blow to the franchise and its fan base. That fueled more doubts about whether the 2011 NBA MVP will ever be the same, let alone lead Chicago to its first championship since the Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen era.

A similar injury limited Rose to 10 games last season and cut short his long-awaited comeback. He sat out the 2012-13 season recuperating from a torn ACL in his left knee. It's not clear exactly when he will have surgery or how much time he will miss.

Pau Gasol led the Bulls with 25 points and 13 rebounds — his league-best 38th double-double — but Chicago came up short after winning six of seven. Jimmy Butler scored 14.

Aaron Brooks, starting for Rose, had a rough night with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. He was 1 of 5 on 3-pointers and 3 for 8 from the foul line as the Bulls dropped into a tie with Cleveland for the Central Division lead.

Kidd-Gilchrist capped a seven-point spurt with a pair of dunks, making it 85-74 midway through the fourth quarter. Jefferson scored six in an 8-0 run that boosted the lead to 95-78 with 2:25 left.

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TIP-INS

Hornets: C Bismack Biyombo (bruised right knee) is expected to resume contract drills shortly but is doubtful for the game at Boston on Friday night. He sat out a 10th consecutive game Wednesday. "From what I saw (Tuesday), maybe trying to get (him back) in Orlando (on Sunday) would be a more realistic goal," coach Steve Clifford said.

Bulls: F Taj Gibson and G Kirk Hinrich were back after being sidelined by illness. Gibson missed one game and Hinrich sat out two. ... Coach Tom Thibodeau indicated any signings the Bulls make with Rose out probably won't impact the rotation much. He said the Bulls still have a versatile rotation, which "helps a lot."

UP NEXT

Hornets: Visit Boston on Friday.

Bulls: Host Minnesota on Friday.

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