Bulls PG Derrick Rose (knee) will start Wednesday vs. Magic

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will return for Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will start Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic, head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.

Rose, 26, has not played since undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in late February. He has missed the last 20 games.

Rose will be limited to about 20 minutes on Wednesday, Thibodeau said. 

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The February surgery was Rose's third knee surgery in the last three years, following ACL surgery in 2012 and meniscus surgery in 2013. The Bulls have gone 10–10 during Rose’s most recent absence.

Chicago has five games remaining in the regular season, and Rose said he is optimistic about being ready for the playoffs.

Is 5 games enough for Rose to find rhythm? "I got a lot of confidence in myself. But who knows how many games it’s going to take me?"

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 8, 2015

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In 46 games this season, the former MVP has averaged 18.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 40.7% from the field and 28.7% on three pointers.

The Bulls are 46–31 this season and are in line to be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

- Paul Palladino