Hornacek: Rose will miss rest of preseason for rape trial

The absences are already starting to pile up for embattled point guard Derrick Rose.

New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek informed ESPN.com that Rose will not play in the team's final two preseason games, as he is attending his civil trial for sexual assault in a California court.

"I don't think he'll be back until (Thursday) at the earliest," Hornacek said.

Having only appeared in one preseason game due to his court appearances, the Knicks will have to get creative to integrate their starting point guard into their offense. Hornacek initially said he wouldn't implement the offense until his starting point guard returned, but that became unrealistic due to Rose's extended absence during the preseason.

Further complicating matters, the Knicks are expected to include elements of the Triangle Offense this season, a system Rose described as "difficult" and "foreign" early on in training camp.

Rose is expected to return to the team on Friday for an informal crash course on the offense. The Knicks also have three practices before their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers to bring him up to speed.

"It would've been nice if he was here and played and got in a rhythm with guys," Hornacek said. "We do have some days of practice before the first game. Even after the Cleveland game, we'll have time to do things."