Knicks' Carmelo Anthony sits out game with illness

NEW YORK -- New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony sat out Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets due to an illness.

Anthony was originally in the starting lineup before the Knicks announced about 30 minutes before the opening tip that he would not play.

This is the first game Anthony has missed this season, and it comes after he scored all 11 of his points during the first quarter of Friday's blowout loss to the Miami Heat.

Anthony, who is returning from knee surgery, is averaging 22.1 points while shooting 41 percent from the field.