The NY Knicks will have Arron Afflalo out on Sunday with a hamstring and that means Sasha Vujacic will likely start again for Derek Fisher. Kristaps Porzingis has started the season well, but Jose Calderon has struggled in the backcourt and he could be benched for Jerian Grant or Langston Galloway at some point soon.
Afflalo has not suited up yet for the Knicks this season while dealing with a hamstring injury and the team wants to be cautious so the guard does not have a setback. The team needs Afflalo back with the guards struggling this season, but the Knicks also don't want Afflalo to continue dealing with the hamstring injury all season. according to the New York Daily News, Afflalo will be out on Sunday for the game against the Lakers.
Afflalo said earlier in the week that Sunday was a target for his return, but now it looks like Tuesday against the Houston Rockets could be an option. The Knicks have lost three in a row and the Lakers come in after getting their first win of the season against the Nets on Friday. Stefan Bondy at the New York Daily News reported that Jose Calderon and Sasha Vujacic worked with the first team unit in practice and they are in line to start Sunday.
Fisher hinted to reporters that he may consider a lineup change soon, but that does not appear to happening for Sunday. Afflalo returning will help change things up and Fisher also could think about making a move with Calderon. The Knicks have been getting solid play from rookies Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis and both players could end up in the starting lineup eventually. Porzingis has been starting for the team and he has impressed while averaging 12 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Porzingis has had some issues staying out of foul trouble, but he has shown some great potential already and has been an energetic rebounder and defender. Porzingis has talked a lot about playing a team game and he has performed well for the Knicks through five games. Carmelo Anthony has struggled a bit offensively, but he is still getting his legs back from surgery last season.
Anthony is averaging 21 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but he is shooting 36 percent from the field and comes in after missing 12 shots on Wednesday. Anthony said he is not worried about his early struggles and that he is confident in the shot selection he has had this season. The Knicks are not contenders this season for a title, but the team has played well despite losing three straight and they can bounce back with a win at home on Sunday against the Lakers.