Knicks guard Derrick Rose misses 2nd straight game with back issues

Knicks point guard Derrick Rose missed Friday night's 103-100 win over the Sacramento Kings because of discomfort related to lingering spasms in his back.

Rose has missed the past two games because of the ailment, but he told reporters that he expects to return Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brandon Jenningsstarted in his place against Sacramento and had 13 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

Rose had an MRI on Wednesday evening to determine the nature of the injury, and it revealed no structural damage, the team said. He is expected to return at some point on their five-game West Coast road trip and is considered day-to-day.

Rose first suffered the back spasms during the Knicks' win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday. He left the game in the third quarter and did not return.

Rose had been healthy and productive for the Knicks before the back spasm flare-up on Tuesday. In his first 20 games of the season, Rose averaged 17 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds for the 12-10 Knicks.

Rose has a long injury history, though not related to his back.

Entering this season, Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, had played just 39 percent of his games in the previous four seasons because of various injuries, including three significant knee ailments.