Knicks' Derrick Rose still out despite multiple negative COVID-19 tests

New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose won't be returning to the club before the All-Star break, after all. 

Per Alex Smith of Yahoo Sports, Rose won't be available for Thursday's game versus the Detroit Pistons due to the NBA's health and safety protocols related to COVID-19. The 32-year-old missed Tuesday night's matchup at the San Antonio Spurs following an inconclusive coronavirus test result but, as Peter Botte noted for the New York Post, there was hope Rose would be able to play Thursday after he provided multiple negative tests and returned to New York. 

Smith added that Rose needed to continue testing negative for the virus through Thursday to be cleared to play. While the Knicks haven't confirmed, this latest development suggests Rose either provided another questioned test or a positive result. 

Rose began his second stint with the Knicks last month and, according to Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media, is averaging 12.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds with New York. 

Frank Ntilikina scored 13 points in place of Rose in the loss at San Antonio and could again receive the nod from head coach Tom Thibodeau on Thursday evening if available: