Derrick Rose
Chicago's Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of in the first round of last year's playoffs and was expected to miss a minimum of eight months. Reuters

Derrick Rose has not played in an NBA game this season.

Even with the playoffs set to begin in less than two weeks, the point guard hasn’t officially been ruled out to make his return.

On Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reported that Rose could still play for the Chicago Bulls this season. The former MVP said he hasn’t yet accepted that he’s done for the year.

Chicago has clinched a playoff spot and will likely face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. They have six more games remaining on their regular season schedule.

Rose has repeatedly refused to give a target date for his return, claiming that he’ll play once he is “ready.” He tore his ACL just under a year ago, and the original timetable for his comeback was expected to be eight to 12 months.

Bulls’ fans have been forced to watch other players return from the same injury. Iman Shumpert tore his ACL on the same day that Rose suffered his injury. The New York Knicks guard returned in January and has played in 39 games this season.

Publicly, Chicago has supported their star player during his recovery. There are rumors, though, that the organization hasn’t been happy with Rose’s progress. According to Dan Bernstein of 670 The Score in Chicago, the Bulls expected to have Rose back for some time, now.

“Sources say the team was surprised and disappointed by Rose’s uncharacteristic reluctance, and decided a month ago to remind him privately of the agreed-upon timetable that included a return to the court when cleared medically,” said Bernstein. “They also leaked an internet story that indicated that the Bulls expected him to play in mid-March.”

Almost two months after participating in a full-speed scrimmage, Rose has still yet to play in a game. With just six games left on their schedule, the 24-year-old is running out of time to have an impact on Chicago's season. The Bulls are currently in the No. 5 spot in the East, but are just one game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 4 spot, and only one game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks, who are at No. 6.

The NBA Playoffs begin on April 20.