Greenburgh, N.Y. -- Stephon Marbury was excused from shootaround this morning, meaning he won't play tonight against the Dallas Mavericks because he needs more time to deal with the death of his father.
Marbury rejoined the team for the disastrous back-to-back losses to Philadelphia, returning to the lineup only one day after his father, Don Sr.'s funeral. Steph pulled himself at halftime of Friday night's game in Philly and also was ineffective in a 24-minute stint during Saturday night's 105-77 blowout loss.
In two games since rejoining the team, Marbury is 2-for-7 with eight points and five assists.
"I don't think he'll be playing tonight," Isiah Thomas said. "Again, we'll give him as much time as he needs. It's a tough thing for him to overcome right now and he's fighting his way through it."
Presumably, Thomas will go with the same starting lineup he used during Marbury's absence tonight against the Mavericks, who already have eight losses after going 67-15 last season. Dallas has lost three of its last four on the road, but have won 10 of 11 at the Garden.