Stephon Marbury was certain and emphatic after practice Monday.

"I'm playing Wednesday," he said.

Larry Brown, meanwhile, was cautious and diplomatic.

"I don't know," he said when asked if Marbury would play that night. "We'll see what happens [today]. But he's making progress."

Despite what Brown said, Marbury should be back in his accustomed place in the starting lineup when the Knicks host Sacramento on Wednesday. The Knicks certainly need him, as they are on a five-game losing streak that includes a loss to the Hornets on Saturday night in which rookie point guard Chris Paul embarrassed them with his playmaking ability.