Rose's return date for Bulls remains unclear

CHICAGO (AP) Derrick Rose's return date to the Chicago Bulls' lineup remains unclear with five games remaining. Rose has been taking contact in practice the

CHICAGO (AP) Derrick Rose's return date to the Chicago Bulls' lineup remains unclear with five games remaining.

Rose has been taking contact in practice the past week. But coach Tom Thibodeau would not say Monday when he will return from his latest knee operation.

He says Rose has not experienced any setbacks and that he just has ''to feel comfortable enough to play.'' He says the star point guard's conditioning is improving.

The Bulls visit Orlando and Miami on Wednesday and Thursday, host Philadelphia on Saturday and visit Brooklyn on Monday before finishing the regular season at home against Atlanta on April 15.

Rose had minor surgery Feb. 27 and was expected to miss four to six weeks. A torn meniscus in his right knee sidelined him most of last season.