Bulls' Derrick Rose leaves stadium on crutches after right knee injury

Derrick Rose was helped from the Bulls loss to the Blazers with an injury to his right knee. (David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated)

PORTLAND, Ore. -- An unspecified right knee injury forced Bulls guard Derrick Rose from action during Chicago's 98-95 loss to the Blazers Friday night in Portland. He left the arena on crutches and will undergo an MRI on Saturday.

Rose departed with 3:20 remaining in the third period. He finished with 20 points (on 6-for-19 shooting), five rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes.

The injury appeared to occur without contact as he cut toward the hoop to receive a backdoor pass.

"He has pain and felt like he couldn't push off the right knee," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. "We're not sure [of the specific diagnosis]. The doctor looked at him but he's scheduled to have an MRI [on Saturday]."

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The 2011 MVP had to be helped to the Bulls' locker room after Bulls staffers initially attended to him on Chicago's bench. The extent of his injury is not yet known but the Bulls announced midway through the fourth quarter that Rose would not return to the game.

Rose tore the ACL in his left knee during the 2012 playoffs and sat out the entire 2012-13 season as he rehabilitated.

"I don't want to speculate on what it is or what it might be other than my concern for him," Thibodeau said of the injury. "I know how much work he's put into his rehab, that's the type of person he is, that's the type of player he is. So concern for that, I feel for him because of all the things that he means to our team."

Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah both expressed hope that the injury wasn't significant.

"I didn't see the play, I just saw him limping," Gibson said. "I didn't think it was anything too serious. I was just hoping for the best. ... He's a strong guy. He worked extremely hard this summer trying to get his body right, working out every day. So it sucks that this has to happen but that's what happens in this league. It's a tough league."

Chicago is already without starting two guard Jimmy Butler, who is sidelined with turf toe.

The Bulls are currently in the midst of a six-game road trip and will play on Sunday against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

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