Derrick Rose expects to return Sunday against Knicks

Barring a setback, Chicago Bulls guard and reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose, who missed his 12th consecutive game Thursday with a strained groin, will play Sunday when the Bulls take on the New York Knicks, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"I'm dying to play, but we're being smart," Rose told the newspaper. "I guess a couple of more days rest will be good for me."

Chicago (42-13) has been without Rose for 22 games this season but is 8-4 in the latest stretch and 15-7 overall in his absence. The Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics, 93-86, Thursday to snap a two-game losing streak, the first time this season they had lost back-to-back games.

According to the Tribune, Rose—who returned to full practice only Wednesday—likely will play Sunday in what could be a preview of a first-round NBA playoff series with the Knicks, who are 1½ games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

Rose took contact in that midweek practice for the first time since the most recent injury and afterward was optimistic he would be able to play this weekend.

He was a game-time scratch Thursday by coach Tom Thibodeau after participating fully in the morning’s shootaround and working out before the game.

Thibodeau said the opponent doesn’t factor into the decision to play or sit Rose.

"If he's healthy and can play, he'll play," Thibodeau said. "If he's not, he will not play. We just have to be smart about it. You're cautious because of where you are in the season too. He has to be healthy. We're not going to rush him back just to have him back."

To that end, Rose admitted Thursday that he still was feeling a little discomfort in the groin, saying he's “not able to run at full speed.”

When he returns, that won’t be the case.

"I'm not going to hold back at all," Rose said, according to the Tribune. "My game is to be aggressive and try to get people going."

Rose did say he is "a little bit" concerned about reinjuring the groin, "but every day it's improving, the less I think about it. I'm running more, feeling better. I know it will be different if it's a game-type experience."

Rose said he isn't concerned about being affected by the injury during what could be a long playoff run for the Bulls.

"I should be fine," Rose said. "Taking all this rust off with all the other injuries I had, being nicked up. They're gone. The only thing I'm worried about is my groin."

Rose last played March 12 in a victory against the Knicks. C.J. Watson has started at point guard in place of Rose.