Despite stern warnings from a federal judge, both sides in the sexual harassment lawsuit against Knicks coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden are holding firm in their insistence on going to trial.

In a 55-page opinion filed last week, U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch dealt blows to both sides in the lawsuit by former Garden executive Anucha Browne Sanders, who claims Thomas sexually harassed her and that she was fired for complaining about it.

Lynch's opinion rejecting motions by Thomas and the Garden for summary judgment was not surprising. But the tone of his upbraids was not lost on either side, according to a source familiar with the case.

"You can clearly read that opinion and think that he's trying to send a message to one or both sides about the wisdom of going to trial," one such source said Monday.