Derrick Rose is having a resurgent year for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the oft-injured guard has missed the last five games with an ankle injury. Rose will also miss Tuesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he plans to return on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Derrick Rose is OUT against Oklahoma City on Tuesday. His plan is to return at home Friday against Dallas. — Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 7, 2019

After a disappointing 2017-18 season in which Rose only played in 25 games, the former MVP is playing like the old Derrick Rose. His career was nearly derailed by injuries, but he’s having one of the best years of his career.

The point guard is averaging 18.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Furthermore, Rose’s longtime struggles from the 3-point line appear to be a thing of the past. Rose is shooting 46.2 percent from deep — a career-high mark.

The Timberwolves were looking to build off of last season’s playoff appearance, but this year has not gone as planned. Jimmy Butler demanded a trade and was sent to Philadelphia. Moreover, the team recently fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose and Thibodeau have always had a close relationship, and their pairing was a factor in Rose’s resurgence.

The Timberwolves are only two games out of a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. Despite the team’s struggles, they have the talent to make a run at the eighth seed. Rose is playing as well as he has in years while Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins still have sky-high potential.