Kristaps Porzingis misses game versus Rockets with sore Achilles

HOUSTON --New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingismissed Saturday's 129-122 loss to the Houston Rockets with a sore left Achilles.

"I woke this morning and from walking around and it was sore and tight," Porzingis said. "I tried to get it going and warm it up but it didn't feel right. This is the first time -- I don't even know how it happened. It wasn't one situation, it just kinda got a little sore from playing."

Porzingis said his Achilles started to bother him before the Atlanta game on Wednesday.

"Once I warmed up, I was good to go, but in the warm-up I feel it and the pregame workout I feel it," he said. "But then after last [night's] game it was pretty sensitive."

In 33 games, Porzingis has averaged 20.1 points and 7.9 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per game. In Friday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Porzingis went 8-for-20 from the floor to finish with 21 points.

"It hasn't been a real big complaint," coach Jeff Hornacek said of Porzingis, who has played in every game this season. "I think he just missed some shots the other night that typically he might make. So again, these guys, back-to-back games, sometimes when its sore like that you got to be a little careful, especially somebody as young as KP, and he's tall."

Hornacek said the Achilles was bothering Porzingis going into Friday's game.

The Knicks also were minus guard Courtney Lee (sore right wrist) and center Kyle O'Quinn (flu) against Houston.

"They're a tough team to play, but you got to play defense," Hornacek said. "Don't worry about the scoring. It gives other guys opportunities to step up there and play and show what they have. When you get that opportunity off the bench, when somebody is out, you usually expect them to play pretty hard."

Rockets guardPatrick Beverley sat out with right wrist pain.

The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony missed the second half due to left knee soreness. He first felt the soreness on Friday when he banged knees with an opponent