Knicks' Derrick Rose: Likely to start season opener

Coach Jeff Hornacek said Tuesday that Rose will "likely" start the Knicks' regular season opener even if he misses the team's final two exhibition contests, Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com reports.

As of Tuesday, Rose remains away from the team while attending his civil trial in Los Angeles stemming from an alleged sexual assault. The Knicks are hoping Rose can return to play Wednesday in Boston or Thursday in Brooklyn, but at this point his status for the final two preseason games is firmly up in the air. However, Hornacek indicated that the plan is for Rose to start the regular season opener Tuesday against Cleveland, assuming he's present at all practices after the preseason ends. In the event the trial drags on and Rose is unavailable, Brandon Jennings would move into the lineup at point guard.