Sprained ankle has Derrick doubtful

In Knicks news not actually contingent upon Carmelo Anthony, point guard Derrick Rose is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

Rose sprained his left ankle in Friday’s 110-107 win over the Hornets at the Garden. He landed on the foot of Hornets All-Star Kemba Walker, left with 4:19 remaining in the third quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative, but coach Jeff Hornacek said afterward that though he believed the injury was “nothing major,” he had no idea about a time frame for Rose’s potential absence.

Rose has missed five games as a Knick, four with a sore lower back and once when he left the team to deal with personal matters in his hometown of Chicago. The Knicks went 1-4 in those games.

The Hawks will be missing a starter as well. Forward Thabo Sefolosha is listed as out with a left groin injury.

When the Knicks played at Atlanta on Dec. 28, Sefolosha drew a flagrant foul 2 against Anthony that resulted in Anthony’s ejection. The Hawks won in overtime, then beat the Knicks, 108-107, at the Garden 13 days ago. The Knicks are 1-2 on the season against the Hawks.

While admitting there is some expected tightness after games, Kristaps Porzingis insisted his left Achilles tendon, which forced him out of seven games during two separate stints, is not bothersome when he plays.

“I do everything possible to keep stretching it and making sure nothing happens,” Porzingis said.

After a pair of clunker outings in which he shot a combined 7-of-22 at Indiana and Dallas, Porzingis had a strong 18-point, 8-of-11 shooting game against the Hornets. He eventually fouled out, but not until after draining a big shot with 50.7 seconds left in the game by to put the Knicks up by six points.