Could Allan Houston be done for the season, and if so will the Knicks miss the playoffs once again?

The two might be inter related according to an article by Michael Morrisey in the New York Post, the piece revealing that Houston's knee appears to be worse than expected and that he wont be rushing back - even if it means the Knicks miss out on the postseason.

"I'm willing to delay it as long as it gets better," Houston said after practice. "If it's two games . . . if it is the end of the season. I don't want to think that, but it could be a possibility."

"Either you can play, or you can't," said Houston, who will miss his fourth straight game tonight. "And right now I just can't.

"So no matter what the standings are . . . it's just not really ready, no matter what our place is in the standings."

Four teams (Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Philadelphia) are chasing the injury-riddled Knicks, while three (Miami, Milwaukee and New Orleans) remain above them but within striking distance.

New York's injury woes do not end there, with Tim Thomas (listed as doubtful) and Anfernee Hardaway (listed as likely) missing practice with strained groins.

"Unfortunately, I have to say I've been there before," Knicks coach Lenny Wilkens joked of the injury plague. "Not that it helps any."

Houston, who has gutted out injuries in the past, has taken a public relations hit judging from some recent talk-show callers. The former All-Star shooting guard hasn't allowed criticism that he's suddenly soft get into his head.

"When I used to play with a lot of pain, it was different," Houston said. "This is something I just haven't really faced before.

"I haven't worried about people saying things about me in the past. Why would I worry about what they say now?"

Houston was a last-minute scratch against Chicago Saturday but says the injury hasn't gotten better. Officially, his injury is a left quadriceps contusion.

"The same thing's hurting when I try to really cut and plant on it," he said.

Houston is buoyed that it's not the same knee problem that sidelined him virtually throughout February. But many observers agree the problem is related because of his bad hinge.

"I know it'll be OK," he said. "I'm staying positive. When I do get back, I'll be rested."