Derrick Rose plays down hamstring injury

Rose lasted just 10 minutes of the opening quarter in his second game back from a hamstring injury, failing to return to the court due to tightness in his left leg as the Bulls lost 114-109 to the Nuggets in Denver.

The 26-year-old moved quickly post-game to dismiss talk of yet another prolonged stint on the sidelines, stressing that his early exit was precautionary.

"It wasn't nothing like I'm limping or I pulled it or anything, it wasn't any of that," Rose said.

"It was just that I wasn't moving the way I wanted to while I was on the floor. So why push through it when I wasn't able to affect the game the way I wanted to?

"I came in here and talked to [Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau] and we both agreed on just sitting out."

Rose, who had two points and three assists against the Nuggets, added: "It's frustrating. But I can't let it get me down.

"I know that at the end [the setbacks] are just going to be minor but it's a long season and we [have] just got to keep going and I know the team, they're not worried about me. I should be good."