Hornacek: Derrick Rose To Miss Last 2 Preseason Games Due To Trial
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Derrick Rose will miss the Knicks' final two preseason games due to his rape lawsuit trial in Los Angeles, coach Jeff Hornacek said Wednesday.
The Knicks play at Boston on Wednesday night and at Brooklyn on Thursday. Hornacek told reporters he doesn't expect Rose to return to the team until Thursday or Friday.
Rose has been in Los Angeles since Oct. 5 for the civil trial, in which he and two friends are accused of gang-raping the NBA star's ex-girlfriend. The defendants say the sex was consensual.
MORE: Interpretation Of Consent At Center Of Derrick Rose Rape Case
A jury is deliberating the case Wednesday.
Rose has played in just one preseason game -- the Oct. 4 opener at Houston.
The time Rose is missing could hurt the Knicks early in the season. Hornacek is implementing aspects of the triangle to his offense, a system that Rose called "foreign" and "complicated" last month.
MORE: Keidel: Derrick Rose Rape Case Adds To Knicks' Misery
Once he returns, Rose is expected to participate in one informal workout and three full practices with teammates before the Knicks open the regular season Tuesday at Cleveland. Hornacek said earlier in the week that, as long as Rose gets a few practices in, he plans to start him in that game.
"It would've been nice if he was here and played and got in a rhythm with guys," Hornacek told reporters. "We do have some days of practice before the first game. Even after the Cleveland game, we'll have time to do things."
