DEERFIELD -- It's gotten to the point with Derrick Rose's injury situation where even Tom Thibodeau is joking about it.
The reigning MVP has missed 23 games this season with a myriad of injuries, including the latest -- a sprained right ankle -- that leaves his status in doubt for Thursday's matchup with rival Miami.
"Who?" Thibodeau deadpanned when asked about Rose, a question he's received at just about every media appearance for the past couple of weeks.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"Game-time decision," the Bulls head coach said of Rose, who participated in Thursday morning's shootaround.
"He did some shooting and ran through some offense," Thibodeau said. "He did some of the defensive drills and he did the walk-through."
Rose sat out the last matchup with the Heat -- March 14 in Chicago -- with a strained groin. He has played in just one game since then, an overtime loss to the Knicks on Easter Sunday.
Thursday's game may have a big impact on seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs, as Miami (40-16) sits a couple games behind the Bulls (44-14) in the loss column. Chicago beat the Heat 106-102 without Rose in mid-March, thanks to a monster performance from backup point guard John Lucas III (24 points).
News
Will the Bulls have their MVP back for Thursday's rematch?
"We'll see," Thibodeau said.