When the Knicks face Maccabi Elite of Tel Aviv in an exhibition game on Thursday night, Isiah Thomas will be back on the bench for the first time since a jury found that he sexually harassed former Garden executive Anucha Browne Sanders. The three-week trial tarnished the image of the Knicks and damaged Thomas' reputation.

"I think I'll get a warm reception," Thomas said yesterday. "I don't think that the things that have gone on will affect the way people feel about me. Just from walking around New York and being in the city and even getting back I've received a lot of love so to speak, letters and support from different people."

In her testimony, Browne Sanders claimed that Thomas made a derogatory comment about season-ticket holders. When Browne Sanders reminded Thomas that most of the season-ticket subscribers are white, Thomas allegedly replied: "I don't give a ---- about these white people." Thomas has vehemently denied making that statement.

Also, in a videotaped deposition, Thomas said: "A white man calling a black female 'bitch,' that is wrong with me. I am not accepting that. That's a problem for me."