Knicks’ Johnson Sits This One Out

Knick forward Larry Johnson missed Saturday’s game because he was serving a one-game suspension for punching Miami’s Keith Askins in the fourth quarter of New York’s 103-85 victory at Miami Friday night.

Johnson was also fined $5,000 by the NBA.

Rookie John Wallace started his first NBA game in place of Johnson and had six points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.

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Clipper guard Brent Barry, who missed the first 14 games because of a thumb injury, was held out of the game until the final minute by Coach Bill Fitch, who ended the game with five guards on the floor.

“I just had a good seat tonight and I didn’t have to pay $1,000 like Spike Lee,” Barry said. “I got mine for free.”

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The Knicks, who brought in seven new players, have struggled under Coach Jeff Van Gundy, who succeeded Don Nelson. Nelson lost his job after a loss to the Clippers last March.

The Knicks, who have three new starters, lost four of five games but now have won three in a row.

“We brought in seven new ballplayers and it’s taken us a while to get accustomed to playing with each other,” said forward Buck Williams.