In a statement last night, MSG said Thomas "spoke with members of the New York Knicks organization" before last night's preseason game against the New Jersey Nets at the Garden and "is OK."

"He is dealing with a family matter, and we will have no further comment," the statement added. "He has asked that we respect his privacy, and we will."

Yesterday, Knicks players were worried about their former coach. Thomas brought most of the current Knicks to New York, and some said they have spoken to him since last season ended. Forward Quentin Richardson said he has called Thomas from time to time.

"This is our former coach, still a good friend and somebody I still look up to to this day. I mean, a Hall of Famer and all those different things," Richardson said.

"This is life, this is something that happened. It's an unfortunate situation, and we still don't know the exact story or whatever happened. But I don't look at something like this as a distraction; this is an unfortunate incident."

Forward David Lee said he sent Thomas a text message "just to let him know I'm here for him if he needs me, just like he'd do for me. Even though he's not here, he's a friend."

Head coach Mike D'Antoni said: "I just feel bad about it, like everybody else."

Thomas, born in Chicago, bought a home in the exclusive suburban enclave about 30 miles from Manhattan, four years ago for $4.075 million.

In 2006, Thomas' reputation hit the skids when he lost a sexual-harassment suit to Anucha Browne Sanders, a team executive. Garden brass settled with her after a jury awarded her $11.6 million. Thomas, however, has insisted he did nothing.

"I'm innocent! I'm very innocent!" he proclaimed at the time. "I did not do the things she has accused me in this courtroom of doing. I'm extremely disappointed that the jury did not see the facts in this case."

In January 2006, Thomas' son told The Post he had seen his father weeping.

"He cried," said Joshua, recalling the emotional moment when he spotted his dad in his private home study. "He's hurt."

The pain didn't end there for Thomas.

He was fired as the Knicks' president and coach last April 18, though he remains employed by the team as a consultant and scout.

Thomas spent part of the spring in Europe scouting for the Knicks. It was his first assignment since being fired as head coach and reassigned to a role with no title.

In Milan, Italy, Thomas scouted 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward Danilo Gallinari, who was drafted No. 6 overall by the Knicks this year and signed to a two-year contract.

During the four seasons Thomas ran the team, the Knicks never won more than 33 games. Last season, Thomas was regularly serenaded by fans with boos and chants of "Fire Isiah!"

Thomas was finally canned after amassing an abysmal 56-108 record in two ugly seasons as coach. Disappointing showings as coach of the Indiana Pacers and as an executive with the Toronto Raptors also haunt Thomas, who was inducted eight years ago into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Thomas was one of the NBA's great point guards — winning league titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. He also led Indiana to an NCAA title in 1981.

The Knicks open the NBA regular season at home Wednesday against the Miami Heat.

Additional reporting by Brigitte Williams-James.

News » Report: Isiah, police clash on OD drama details 2008-10-25
Report: Isiah, police clash on OD drama details 2008-10-25
Former Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was hospitalized yesterday after overdosing on sleeping pills at his Westchester mansion, sources said. The troubled basketball great — whose failed years as Knicks coach prompted crowds to chant "Fire Isiah!" — downed 10 Lunesta pills before becoming sick, sources said. New-look Knicks open Wednesday Giants DE's rehab ahead of schedule Sherman: Rain gives Series juice More from The New York Post