Things have been so bad for the Knicks lately that even the wins hurt.

Stephon Marbury needed a strong game and a victory like never before and the Knicks' point guard got both last night. But there may have been a costly side effect. Marbury suffered a bruised left hand in the second half of the Knicks' 98-90 win over the slumping Utah Jazz, an injury the Knicks believe will not keep him out of Monday's game against the Nets.

X-rays taken immediately following the game were negative and Marbury reported no pain in his nonshooting hand. However, there was some minor swelling near his left pinkie and there is a possibility that Marbury may need an MRI to determine whether he suffered ligament damage.