Derrick Rose Return Update: Rose to Sit Out Chicago Bulls Season Finale; Will He Strap On His Shoes And Return to 2013 NBA Playoffs On Schedule? [Video]

Chicago Bulls fans hoping to see the familiar No.1 jersey of Derrick Rose take the court tonight prior to the NBA Playoffs shouldn't hold their breath.

Rose, the franchise star for the Bulls, will not be playing in the Bulls' season finale Wednesday when they host the Washington Wizards in Chicago, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters Wednesday prior to the game.

The news should not be completely unexpected as Rose, the 2010-11 NBA MVP, has been cautious with his return, as has the Bulls, who don't want to rush him back before he is ready. Rose tore his left ACL almost a year ago during Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs on April 28, the culmination of injuries that the three-time NBA All-Star suffered during the lockout-shortened NBA season.

Thibodeau, who took criticism for how he handled Rose during the game where he tore his ACL, isn't taking any chances.

"Whenever he's ready we're going to welcome him back because obviously he adds a lot to the team," Thibodeau said, as reported by ESPN. "It's the same as (Joakim Noah) and Taj (Taj Gibson). They come back and they're playing limited minutes but it's a big plus to the team just because of what their strengths are. All those guys are team oriented and it makes your team a lot better."

Rose has been medically cleared to return to play, but told the team that he still didn't feel comfortable dunking on his surgically repaired left knee, and didn't want to return until that could be remedied. Rose has also said that he wouldn't be opposed to sitting out for the whole season.

However, he has also suggested in recent interviews that he wouldn't be opposed to making his season debut for Chicago in the playoffs, where he was injured in the first place. Already plagued by injuries to All-Star Noah (foot) and key players Gibson (knee) and Vladimir Radmanovic (back), health has been a problem for the Bulls all year, and they could surely use a boost from the return of their superstar.

Thibodeau, interestingly enough, didn't rule out the possibility of Rose returning for the playoffs.

"It could be; he's still not ready," Thibodeau said. "We feel good about the guys we do have and we just want to keep improving and let Derrick handle his rehab and just be ready for whoever we're facing."

Gibson has admitted to looking over at times on the floor this season and expecting Rose to be there.

"We feel like that every day," Gibson said. "He works out with us, he practices with us and it's like he never left. But it's just different when the game comes. We're still patient knowing that he could possibly play one of the games coming up but until that time we have to just stay sharp and be ready (for) whenever he's ready to come back."

However, with little time to prepare for the rigors of a real NBA game, team officials may have reservations about letting Rose get back into the game during the rigors and high stakes of the playoffs, when everything in on the line.

"It hasn't changed from the start of the season," Thibodeau said of Rose's status. "Our team has to get ready for whoever we're playing. Derrick has to handle his rehab and if he can join us great, and if not, we're going to make the most of our circumstance, and we feel good about where we are.

"We've had an entire season to prepare ourselves and I like our chances if we have the group that played all season."