Chicago Bulls again preparing to stay in contention without injured star Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose walks to the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. Rose injured his right knee late in the third quarter and left the game. The Trail Blazers won 98-95.(AP Photo/Don Ryan) (The Associated Press)

Derrick Rose will have surgery on his right knee Monday, and the Chicago Bulls don't yet know how long they'll be without their star guard this time.

Rose headed home to Chicago while the Bulls went back to work Sunday, facing the Los Angeles Clippers in their first game since Rose tore cartilage in his knee in Portland on Friday night.

Chicago coach Tim Thibodeau says the Bulls won't know how long Rose will be out until surgeons decide how to fix Rose's knee.

The Bulls' core has plenty of experience playing without the 2011 NBA MVP. Rose missed all of last season recovering from a torn ligament in his left knee.

Thibodeau says he can already sense a determination from Rose to return from his latest injury.