Isiah Thomas left open the stunning possibility Tuesday that Stephon Marbury - despite losing his father just three days ago - might play Wednesday when the Knicks visit the Nets.

The veteran guard was expected to miss at least a week after Donald Marbury Sr. died of a heart attack Sunday night during the Knicks' loss to the Suns at the Garden.

But Thomas didn't rule out the prospect of Marbury rejoining the team in time to face the Nets tonight at the Izod Center, and a family friend indicated last night that Marbury is considering the notion even though his father has yet to be buried.

Donald Marbury's funeral is 11 a.m. tomorrow at Coney Island Gospel Assembly, and Thomas already canceled that day's practice so the Knicks' players, coaches and front office can attend.

Asked if Marbury might play tonight, Thomas said: "We don't know that yet."

"A lot of what we do revolves around him," Thomas said of Marbury. "The leadership, trust, the play-calling, a lot of that comes from the point-guard position. It's the most critical position in the game."

Thomas has spoken with Marbury since Donald Marbury's death and said the reaction was what he expected.

"It's safe to say he's still in the same way all of us have felt when we lost a parent," Thomas said.