Injuries taking toll on New York

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Jalen Rose is out and Stephon Marbury is doubtful when the New York Knicks complete a home-and-home series at Philadelphia tonight.

The Knicks could be without three starters. Steve Francis didn't play in Friday's loss at New York because of a sprained toe on his right foot and is listed as questionable.

Although the Knicks listed Marbury as doubtful, the point guard said after Saturday's practice that he would not play today because of his injured left knee. He left Friday's game in the first quarter and an MRI exam Saturday revealed a strained left patella tendon.

Rose won't play because of plantar fasciitis of the left foot and a sore right knee. He won't travel with the team to Philadelphia and will have an MRI Monday. The Knicks hope he will rejoin them before Tuesday's game at Washington.

With Channing Frye out for the season and Quentin Richardson sidelined for the last four games with a sprained left thumb, coach Larry Brown said the Knicks may have to consider getting some help.

"We were even talking about it before Jalen got hurt, about maybe bringing somebody in, because we don't have enough guys to practice," Brown said. "So obviously, now you look at last night. We don't have Quentin, we don't have Stephon, we don't have Stevie, we don't have Channing Frye, and you've got a 14-man roster. It's pretty tough."

BOBCATS WAIVE RUSH: The Charlotte Bobcats waived guard Kareem Rush on Saturday.

Rush, who began the season as the team's starting shooting guard, eventually lost his starting position and fell out of favor with coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff. Rush did not play Friday night in a loss to Chicago, the second time in the past six games he did not play despite being healthy.

"The Bobcats are about two things — hard work and maximum effort," Bickerstaff said. "With that in mind, we think that it's best to go in another direction with Kareem."

The 6-foot-6 Rush, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2004, averaged 11.5 points with Charlotte last season. He was averaging 10.1 points this season, and had a 35-point game against Indiana on Nov. 16.