Derrick Rose has neck injury, 'for sure' will play in home opener vs. Knicks

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau called Derrick Rose a game-time decision for Chicago's home opener because of a stiff neck, but Rose put any fears to rest by saying he would "for sure" play Thursday, according to Aggrey Sam of CSN Chicago.

Rose didn't practice on Wednesday and also sat out Thursday's shootaround as the Bulls prepared to host the New York Knicks. On Thursday, Rose was confident he could get up for his first regular-season game in front of his home crowd since leaving a 2012 playoff contest with a torn ACL.

In Chicago's 107-95 loss to Miami on Tuesday, Rose scored 12 points and dished out four assists but shot only 4-for-15 from the floor and had five turnovers.

Rose didn't know when he injured his neck but noticed stiffness following Tuesday's opening game against the Heat, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. The one-time MVP added that the stiffness has gone away in the past day and that his knee is fine.

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