PLAYER NOTES:

--C Brook Lopez admittedly became passive Saturday when he got into foul trouble against the Knicks. Still, Lopez finished with his fifth double-double of the season, which ranked second among second-season players. "There were some offensive rebounds I wanted to go after but I could only tap at," Lopez said.

--G Devin Harris returned Saturday from a right groin strain that kept him out of 10 games. In his first action since Oct. 30, Harris played 26 minutes, scored 12 points and passed for seven assists off the bench in the Nets' 98-91 loss to the Knicks. "I feel great. I did everything I wanted to do. I got to the rim. I wanted to control the pace as much as I could," Harris said. "Other than trying to get my legs back, I feel good."

--G Rafer Alston had seen extended playing time in Devin Harris' absence at point guard, and the veteran may finally have begun wearing down after averaging career-high minutes. Alston shot 1-for-7 Saturday -- when Harris returned -- but that gave him a three-game total of 4-for-29.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Eduardo Najera is out indefinitely with a sore lower back. He missed his third consecutive game on Nov. 21.

--G Courtney Lee remains day-to-day with a strained groin. He missed his seventh consecutive game Nov. 21 but hopes to play Nov. 24.

--F Yi Jianlian is out with a sprained right knee. He will miss several more weeks.

--F Jarvis Hayes remains out indefinitely since straining his hamstring in the season opener.

--G Keyon Dooling (hip surgery rehab) underwent an arthroscopic procedure after last season. His return has been delayed until early December.

--F/C Tony Battie could return during the Nets' Thanksgiving Week road trip. He has been out since preseason with a sore right knee.