Derrick Rose still listening to his body, and it tells him to sit

TORONTO – Fred Hoiberg reminded the media on Monday that groin injuries are “tricky things.’’

Maybe that’s why Derrick Rose’s continued pulling off the vanishing act with such ease.

Despite participating in some of the morning shootaround, Rose was ruled out of the game with the Raptors, as the strained groin continued to be a problem for the point guard.

“He did a little bit [Monday], he still wasn’t moving great,’’ Hoiberg said. “He’s got trouble with any type of movement with the groin as far as defensive slides. Also any type of explosive movement he still feels something in there, so made a decision to sit him out [Monday].’’

It was the second consecutive game Rose missed with the injury, after he suffered the latest setback in the Thursday loss in San Antonio.

The Bulls were scheduled to practice Tuesday in Washington D.C., but Hoiberg was still uncertain what he would get from Rose heading into the Wednesday game against the Wizards.

“I hope not,’’ Hoiberg said, when asked if the injury could be more serious than first thought. “[Tuesday] we’ll get him a good workout in and make the decision on Wednesday, but he’s still got an issue in there. Groins, it’s a tricky thing just because obviously that’s an area of the body you use a lot on the basketball floor, as far as explosiveness, defensively, getting in a stance, moving.

“So it’s a tricky thing to try and put a timeframe on and determine exactly how long it’s going to be. But hopefully not. Hopefully he’ll get a good workout in [Tuesday], feel better, get a shootaround on Wednesday, and we’ll see how he’s doing.’’

It was the 12th game Rose missed this season, as the guard has insisted that he’s “listening to his body,’’ and when something isn’t right he’s not going to push it no matter how big the game.

The Bulls play three games in four nights starting Wednesday, so if Rose can return against the Wizards that groin will be tested.

Gasol update

Pau Gasol was absent from this two-game, three-night trip for the Bulls, as the center has been dealing with swelling in his right knee.

Hoiberg, however, was able to get an update from Chicago on Monday, and it was a positive one.

“Pau feels better,’’ Hoiberg said. “He had a good treatment with [team doctor] Dr. [Brian] Cole. The big thing is making sure that swelling goes down, keeping a close eye on that. As long as that continues to happen, hopefully we’ll get him back before too long.’’

The Bulls return home for a game with Brooklyn on Thursday, but Gasol’s status was up in the air.

“Don’t know that,’’ Hoiberg said. “We’ll get an opportunity to re-evaluate him when we get home.’’

Gasol, 35, had missed just three games this season before this road trip, with the Bulls going 1-2 without him. The veteran big man missed only three regular-season games last year, as well.