National Basketball Association

Knicks' Chandler to sit out against Hawks to rest

Published Apr. 22, 2012 7:08 p.m. ET

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Knicks center Tyson Chandler will sit out New York's game against the Hawks to rest up for the playoffs.

Chandler has a sore left knee, but coach Mike Woodson said before Sunday's game that the day off had more to do with fatigue. With a playoff spot clinched and Amare Stoudemire back after missing nearly two months with back issues, Chandler asked Woodson for some down time.

New York (33-30) is tied with the 76ers for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference; one team will draw the Bulls in the first round and the other will play the Heat. That matters less to Woodson than healing up Chandler after playing seven games in 11 days.

Stoudemire will move from his usual power forward spot to center for the Knicks, who will slide Landry Fields into the starting lineup.