Bulls' rookie guard Derrick Rose expects to be ready for the start of the regular season despite suffering a hip flexor on Friday night in the team's exhibition finale.

He suffered the injury in the first quarter, after which he left the United Center and did not return to the game.

"It's not a big deal at all," said Rose. "I could have played in the second half, but they told me to sit down."

Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said that they decided to be cautious.

"[Rose] wanted to go back in," Del Negro said. "But there's no sense taking a risk there. We got him some rest. He'll be fine."