[BigD]

Stephon Marbury has left the Knicks, according to a team spokesman.

"It's an in-house matter, we're going to leave it at that," Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas said repeatedly following the morning shoot-around in Phoenix.

Marbury apparently was told that he wasn't going to start tonight.

A published report today indicated Knicks officials have begun exploring ways to reduce the unpredictable playmaker's role or remove him from the roster.

Marbury was at the center of three controversial moments in the offseason. He appeared disoriented during an interview with Bruce Beck on Miked Up, which continues to get hits on You Tube. He compared dog fighting to hunting when asked about the legal problems of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Marbury's testimony during the sexual harassment trial of Thomas was also considered damaging.

He admitted using a derogatory term in reference to the plaintiff and detailed an affair with a Madison Square Garden intern.

Marbury was on the charter flight that left Westchester County Airport yesterday morning for a four-game road trip that starts in Phoenix, but team officials believe he returned home to Purchase this morning.

No other details were available.

Marbury, 30, is averaging 15.2 points and 6.8 assists in five games this season. He's got two years left on his contract, and is owed $42 million, which makes a trade difficult and a buyout a very expensive proposition.

[stump]

The Knicks need Isiah to walk out as well