Rose expects to return Sunday

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Derrick Rose missed a game for the second time as a Knick on Friday against the Kings, but said he expects to face the Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center.

“The back is good — no pain, just stiffness,’’ Rose said at Golden 1 Center, the Kings’ new downtown arena, before the Knicks’ 103-100 win. “I’ll try to give it a go Sunday. I moved around the court a little bit. I’m still being patient with it, taking my time.’’

Rose, who had an MRI exam that came back clear, also missed Wednesday’s game, when the Knicks were bludgeoned by the Cavaliers in a 32-point loss.

“It’s just tightness and getting used to moving around again,’’ Rose said.

Coach Jeff Hornacek is cautiously optimistic about Sunday, but Rose could be playing limited minutes.

“It’s a matter of loosening it up and getting him to feel like he can do all the torquing and the moves he does and not aggravate it,’’ Hornacek said. “I think Sunday probably right now. He says he’ll thinks he’ll be able to go Sunday. Hopefully that’s the case.”

The Knicks have had their eye on bringing back point guard Chasson Randle, who broke his orbital bone in training camp, was cut and hooked up with D-League Westchester. The Knicks don’t have a roster spot, and 10-day contracts start Jan. 5. The Kings’ Matt Barnes, under NYPD investigation for a nightclub fight last Sunday, was given a “rest” night. Sacramento coach David Joerger said it was due to him not being “a spring chicken.’’ Barnes reportedly is on the verge of being arrested.