While the Knicks are still more than a month away from their first preseason game, Isiah Thomas is virtually assured of being in court Monday to begin defending himself against a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Sources on both sides of the case against Thomas and Madison Square Garden continued to reject the possibility of a settlement Wednesday. Barring unforeseen developments, jury selection will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

Attorneys for both the Garden and plaintiff Anucha Browne Sanders declined to comment Wednesday on numerous pretrial rulings this week by U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch.