Raptors' Lowry out again Sunday

Kyle Lowry will sit out a second consecutive game due to a back contusion when the Toronto Raptors host the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon.

Lowry suffered the injury on Wednesday, and though he was active in Friday's loss to the Chicago Bulls, the All-Star point guard remained on the bench for the duration of the game.

Lowry, who also sat out the previous meeting with the Knicks - an upset loss at Madison Square Garden - was rounding back into form following a one-week break to rest before this latest setback.

Lowry averaged more than 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals on a 43-49-91 shooting line over seven games following the three-game break.

Greivis Vasquez will once again start in Lowry's place.

The Raptors are clinging to the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed by mere percentage points over the Bulls.