New York Knicks Injury Report: Kristaps Porzingis (sore lower back) out vs. Bulls
Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis will sit out Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls with a sore lower back.

Carmelo Anthony‘s impending return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls meant the unfortunate possibility of a win was looming for the New York Knicks. Thankfully, Kristaps Porzingis sitting out due to a “sore lower back” gives them that good old tanking feeling again.

The Knicks have won the first two matchups against the Bulls this season (one in New York, one in Chicago). In New York on Tuesday, the Bulls are looking to avoid a season sweep against the lowly Knicks.

This series was expected to be a rivalry with former Bulls Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah both playing for the Knicks in 2016-17. The absence of the well-paid injury-prone stars is indicative of New York’s season. A lot of expectations without any real payoff.

The Bulls are currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference by one game ahead of the Miami Heat. Without anything left to play for themselves, New York will try to play spoiler to a team vying for playoff position.