Center Jerome James strained a left hamstring during yesterday's practice, which likely will lead to the reappearance of Penny Hardaway.

James will be sent to the inactive list today for at least a week if not more. Brown indicated the buried Hardaway will finally get a look against Golden State as the backup point guard. Brown used Hardaway, 34, at point guard during yesterday's practice at the University of San Francisco.

Brown claims he placed Hardaway on the inactive list because he was bothered by a calf injury, but that's not what the player has said privately. Hardaway had been out of the Knicks' picture and Isiah Thomas hoped to trade his expiring contract before February's deadline.