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          Derrick Rose scored 50 points and NBA players loved it

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          Wolves shower D-Rose after 50-point night (0:33)

          After scoring 50 points vs. the Jazz, Derrick Rose walks into the Timberwolves' locker room to celebrate with his teammates. (0:33)

          • ESPN.com
          Oct 31, 2018, 10:32 PM ET

          To say Derrick Rose has had a rough few years would be an understatement. The former league MVP saw his run with the Chicago Bulls come to an unceremonious end, played one disappointing season with the New York Knicks, then signed on to join the Cleveland Cavaliers' star-studded lineup last season, only to end up taking a leave of absence from the team before eventually being traded.

          When he signed on with the Minnesota Timberwolves late last season, it was seen as a coach doing a favor for his former star player. But Rose never lost faith in himself, telling The Undefeated's Marc Spears, "Anything that comes my way I am going to grab it."

          He did that in a big way Wednesday night, scoring a career-high 50 points to lead the Wolves to a three-point win. He made the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds left, then gave Minnesota a three-point cushion with a pair of free throws with 13.8 seconds left to reach the 50-point mark.

          Rose's 50 points are the fourth-most scored by an NBA player this season, and tied for the second-most ever scored by an NBA player on Halloween. That Rose recaptured the form that earned him league MVP honors in 2010-11 also captured the attention of his NBA colleagues on Twitter, who expressed their excitement upon seeing the 30-year-old Rose look like his prime self again.

          Rose's 50-point night came against the Utah Jazz, the team that released him after it acquired him from Cleveland in a multi-team trade at last season's trade deadline. Rose never suited up for the Jazz, and spent nearly a month out of the league before being picked up by Minnesota.

          In addition to his 50 points, Rose also blocked a potential game-tying 3-point attempt by Dante Exum in the final seconds to preserve the Timberwolves' win. Rose is now averaging 18.8 points per game, his most since 2011-12 -- the last season before his torn ACL.