Jason Kidd might still have to get surgery on his left knee before the playoffs, a worried Rod Thorn said yesterday.

"We're going to have to see," the Nets CEO said when asked whether surgery had been ruled out after an MRI on Friday revealed a bone bruise. "We're treating him and we'll have to see what happens."

"You have to be concerned," Thorn added before the Kidd-less Nets went out and beat the Bulls, 84-81, last night.

The franchise is concerned about whether Kidd will be available for the playoffs. Thorn said doctors will evaluate Kidd's progress as the point guard gets treatment. Kidd's knee has fluid built up in it, and the Nets want to see how the joint looks in a week.

Thorn said surgery is "always a possibility, but we'll just have to see what happens. I don't think it's natural that you get fluid in your knee. He had a real bad bruise and never really shook it off."

The All-Star point guard said Sunday he wants to avoid surgery at all costs and that if he is advised to have an operation he'll put it off until the offseason.