Carmelo Anthony questionable Thursday

The New York Knicks could be forced to trot out their 13th different starting lineup of the season Thursday when they take on the Chicago Bulls on TNT.

Already without Iman Shumpert (shoulder) and J.R. Smith (foot), the Knicks will sit Amar'e Stoudemire for a day of rest, as is part of the plan for the 32-year-old.

Worst of all, Carmelo Anthony is listed as questionable for the nationally televised tilt, as his troublesome left knee is sore. He will warm up ahead of the game and make a determination at that time, as has been the case on days the soreness flares up.

Anthony may eventually need surgery on the knee but is unwilling to shut it down for a few weeks of rest right now, if he can manage. He missed just a single game last week before returning to the lineup, and the Knicks have done little to manage his workload, with the superstar averaging 36.3 minutes. He's also averaging 23.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists, which is precisely why the 5-22 Knicks can't afford to lose him for long.

Stoudemire's day off will be just his second of the season, as he's been remarkably durable by his standards. He's averaging 26.4 minutes, his highest workload since 2011-12, and putting up 13.3 points with 7.4 rebounds while shooting 56.5 percent. Stoudemire's return to productivity over the last two seasons has been a great story.

Should Anthony sit, the Knicks will trot out an entirely new starting lineup once again. The only starting lineup that hasn't included both Anthony and Stoudemire had Shumpert in it, so this will be a new look without all three.