NEWARK, N.J. -- Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose left Monday night's 108-87 win over with the New Jersey Nets because of lower back spasms.
"It was tight the whole game," Rose said. "It was just something where I've got to get a massage and stretched the right way and hopefully it will be gone.
"For right now, I'll be playing next game. It's nothing like I'm going to be sitting out. I always want to think positive and just try and keep things going that way."
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau hinted before Monday's game that Rose was struggling with a back injury, but he was confident he would be on the floor. Rose started and had four points on the night.
Thibodeau said Rose's conditioning should help him overcome the issue, and that the Bulls would see how Rose feels on Tuesday.
"Health is a big concern," Thibodeau said. "We're hopeful. He's done a great job of taking care of himself this year, doing a lot of extra conditioning, lifting, rehab, massage, rest. So we're hopeful that this is a very short-term thing."
Rose was treated for back issues during Saturday night's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He said that he didn't remember when he initially hurt his back.
Rose didn't feel their busy schedule was to blame.
"I think Thibs has been doing a great job with managing us, making sure that we're getting the rest," Rose said. "We haven't been practicing that much and when we do practice, we don't move around as much. He tells us it's more like a mental practice, where he challenges us mentally. And knowing what we have to do when we're going into whatever game we're playing."
Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.