Knicks’ Anthony sits out game

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony did not play in Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls because of soreness in his left knee, and he said that people close to him are advising him to stay off the court for a few weeks.

“I have multiple people say kind of just shut it down,” Anthony said, according to ESPN.com. “Or just take time off. But at the end of the day, it’s hard for me to just do that right now in the midst of what’s happening with the team and this season. So just trying to be smart about that.”

Anthony said the knee started bothering him again in the loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

He did not make his decision about his status for Thursday’s game until he went through pregame warmups.

“It gets frustrating,” he said. “Not knowing what’s going to happen kind of with your body. So for me it’s just taking it as the days come.”

Anthony is averaging 23.4 points and 6.6 rebounds this season for the Knicks, who are 5-22 and have lost 12 of their last 13 games heading into Thursday’s game.

Knicks forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire was not expected to play in Thursday’s game so he could rest. But he was in the starting lineup against the Bulls.

Knicks guard J.R. Smith is not with the team as he continues to receive treatment for a plantar fascia injury.