NEW YORK -- Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Saturday that Derrick Rose, who did not play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Brooklyn Nets, was "most likely out" for the rest of the postseason.
Rose, who tore the ACL in his left knee April 28 in the first game of last season's playoffs, has not played at all this season.
While Thibodeau and Rose kept open the option of Rose's return, it's become apparent that time is running out.
"He's most likely out but you never know," Thibodeau said before the team's 106-89 Game 1 loss. "The playoffs are stretched out, too, so you have to factor that in. So who knows another week from now where he is? You always want to leave that possibility open."
Rose sat on the bench at the start of Game 1 next to Taj Gibson and Thibodeau, and may start sitting on the bench more to support his teammates.
Thibodeau said the organization's stance on Rose playing will not change as it heads into the postseason.
"It's going to be the same," Thibodeau said. "We're not going to change that. It's gone this far so we'll see, we'll see if he can improve."
Thibodeau said he wouldn't hesitate to put Rose back into the lineup if the former MVP thought he was ready to play.
"That'd be fine," Thibodeau said. "Whenever he can come back, he comes back."
The Bulls started Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) on Saturday night after the All-Star center tested out his foot in pregame warmups.
Noah said he expects to play in Game 2 on Monday, too.
Gibson has shown signs of improvement as he continues to work his way back from a sprained MCL. He has played better over the last couple games and knows he will be expected to play big minutes in this series.
Gibson had a bench-high 23 minutes against the Nets, scoring nine points.
