Report: Rose won't play vs. Rockets due to nagging ankle injury

Derrick Rose is heading back to the sidelines.

The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard will miss Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets due to persisting discomfort in his left ankle, multiple sources told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Rose, 29, has already missed four games this season while recovering from a sprain in the same ankle, which he suffered during the second contest of the campaign.

The 2011 MVP is averaging 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 26.9 minutes with the Cavaliers, whom he joined this past offseason on a one-year deal. The team is 4-3 when he plays versus 1-3 without him.

Iman Shumpert is expected to start in the oft-injured Rose's place in Houston.