Walsh said he would probably talk to Marbury and his representation from the players' association Monday to address a stalemate that turned ugly this week. Walsh has said he's opposed to buyouts and agreed that it's difficult to trade Marbury because of his salary of approximately $21 million, but it seems obvious the Knicks have to do something soon.

"I think everybody came into it with good intentions and it hasn't worked out, so we've got to acknowledge that," Walsh said.

Walsh didn't criticize Marbury directly but was bothered that the former All-Star wouldn't play when the Knicks were short-handed after trades and injuries.

"I'm definitely disappointed in a refusal to play because I think that's Central to a player's contract," Walsh said. "There's nothing in there that says, 'You will provide your services.' It doesn't say you will play if you have the playing time you want or you like the coach or don't like the coach.' It doesn't say anything about that."

Rockets GUARD MCGRADY SIDELINED BY SORE LEFT KNEE

Houston guard Tracy McGrady missed the Rockets' game Saturday night against San Antonio because of a sore left knee.

McGrady also sat out Wednesday night against Indiana and will miss the Rockets' game today in Denver. He played Houston's first 15 games, but said before training camp that his knee hurt and needed time to heal after arthroscopic surgery in May.

Houston guard Brent Barry also missed the game and will be out again today in Denver. He has a strained right calf.

Magic LOSE GUARD PIETRUS FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS

Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus will be out three to five weeks because of a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Pietrus averages nearly 13 points and is one of the Magic's main 3-point shooters.

He hurt his thumb against Philadelphia last week. Pietrus played with the injury against the Wizards on Thursday but an MRI revealed the damage Friday.

The Magic are already missing backup guard Keith Bogans because of a broken thumb, and starting point guard Jameer Nelson is nursing a pulled groin.

AROUND THE NBA

Golden State scoring leader Stephen Jackson missed the Warriors' game against New York on Saturday night because of a sprained left wrist. Jackson was hurt sometime during the Warriors' five-game trip and aggravated the injury in a 112-97 loss at Cleveland on Friday night. ... The Milwaukee Bucks activated scoring leader Michael Redd, sidelined nearly a month by a sprained right ankle, before their game Saturday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Redd averaged 21.3 points in the first four games this season before injuring his ankle against New York on Nov. 2. The Bucks went 5-9 in his absence.

CAMDEN LOSES COIN FLIP FOR FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME

Camden County (Ga.) has played its last home game this season, losing the coin flip for home field in its Class AAAAA state semifinal against unbeaten Newnan.

The Wildcats (13-0) will take on the Cougars (13-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Drake Stadium.

Camden coach Jeff Herron called tails and the quarter landed heads.

It will be the third meeting between the schools in history -- Camden County won each of the first two meetings.

AROUND THE NHL

Brian Burke took over as president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He received a six-year deal, worth a reported $3 million annually, to replace interim GM Cliff Fletcher. ... Josh Bailey, the No. 9 pick in this year's NHL Draft, will remain with the New York Islanders for the entire season instead of returning to his junior team.

ELSEWHERE

Florida State's women's soccer team (17-3-3) lost to host Notre Dame 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. ... Florida's volleyball team (25-3) beat host UNLV 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-21).