Few in the NBA are as much a creature of habit as the Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.

The former Bulls coach preaches routine every day. No exceptions.

This is something special Derrick Rose is for Thibodeau.

He was the exception on Saturday.

Although Thibodeau had played an emotional game in Oklahoma City less than 24 hours earlier, his routine was thrown off balance on “Derrick Rose Night,” including an extended 25-minute halftime in which Rose was honored in front of a sold-out crowd at the United Center.

“All of his teammates came back to celebrate him, the city, the fans, but also the entire NBA,” Thibodeau said. “You have to have a strategy for everything, be it a late start, an early start or an extended half-time.

“As for Derrick, we are thrilled that he is being honored. Thankful Jerry And Michael (Reinsdorf) for acknowledging him the way they did.”

This extended half time was worth every minute. Rose teammate and long-time Bull Joakim Noah captured the moment by speaking from the heart and moving Rose to tears during the ceremony by telling him, “You’re not just the MVP, you’re the people’s champion.” There was a video tribute and then of course the usual chants of “MVP, MVP” from the fans.

Rose then spoke and thanked everyone for the evening, hugging family members, teammates, friends and even the Knicks guard Jalen Brunsonwhom Rose looked after when Brunson grew up with his father, the former assistant coach of the Bulls, in the Bulls family environment Rick Brunson.

But when all the pageantry was over, there was still an NBA game to finish, and boy, did the Bulls finish it. After seemingly sleepwalking in the first half, the Bulls defense fought back in the third quarter. The Bulls outscored the Knicks 41-17 in the quarter and took control.

Zach LaVine And Coby White led the Bulls (16-19) with 33 points each in a 139-126 victory over the Knicks, but White had a career-best nine three-pointers. He hit 9-for-11 from distance.

Josh Giddey continued his turnaround with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and was plus-10.

Not in the cards

There have been rumors in recent seasons that Rose and the Bulls would try to reunite or at least have Rose announce his retirement as a Bull, but Rose said the timing never worked out.

He broke up with the Grizzlies and has no regrets.

“No, I let myself drift,” Rose said. “At the time (I decided to retire) I was preparing for the next season and the time I had off with (son), PJ and the children changed my life this summer. You started to see what each child needed.”

Resign

Before the game against the Knicks, coach Billy Donovan gave an update Ayo Dosunmus injured right calf. It wasn’t great news.

Donovan said they tried to increase Dosunmu’s activity in rehab, but he was in pain so they stopped.

He wouldn’t call it a setback, just a sign that Dosunmu wasn’t ready to take the next step in the process.

The hope was to try again midweek. It was the fifth straight game Dosunmu missed due to injury.

Other than Dosunmu, the Bulls were without Torrey Craigwho was still struggling with a bruised right leg. Donovan did not give a specific timetable for his return.