Truant Marbury: Zeke Okayed Departure

Stephon Marbury's career with the Knicks may be close to over, as the mercurial point guard left the team in the midst of a West Coast road trip and flew back to New York, saying Isiah Thomas had agreed that he could do so. Thomas disputed Marbury's account, saying he wanted the five-year Knick on the floor that night. The two allegedly feuded over the struggling Marbury's starter status.

In his absence, Phoenix dismantled short-handed New York, posting a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. Said Thomas before the game, "Make no mistake about it, we do want him as a member of this basketball team. He is welcome back...." Marbury is averaging a career low in scoring, and plans to sit out thenext Knicks game against Los Angeles, as well.