Nov. 14 (Bloomberg) -- New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury rejoined the National Basketball Association team in Los Angeles, one day after he missed a practice and last night's loss to the Suns in Phoenix.

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said before tonight's 84-81 loss to the Clippers at the Staples Center that Marbury would play but not start.

``We had a conversation,'' Thomas told reporters in remarks shown by MSG Network. ``I'm satisfied he's capable of leading this team, and he's capable of playing great defense, and those are the two things I demand from that position.''

Marbury, who had 13 points and four assists in 33 1/2 minutes off the bench against Los Angeles, said before the game he wanted to apologize to his teammates.

``I plan to tell them this is between Isiah and myself,'' Marbury told reporters.

Marbury's return comes after the Record of Bergen County, New Jersey, said he and Thomas might have exchanged punches during the team's flight to Phoenix two days ago.

Marbury, who left the team before yesterday's practice, said later that he had permission from Thomas to return to New York. Reports in the New York Post and elsewhere suggested Marbury's departure was spurred by Thomas's decision to start Mardy Collins in his place against the Suns.

The Record, citing an unidentified NBA player familiar with the situation, said punches were thrown on the team plane. Someone on the flight woke up to a commotion as Thomas ``discussed his dissatisfaction with Marbury's play and a possible demotion from the starting lineup,'' the newspaper said.

`No Truth'

``Punches thrown? Of course not,'' team spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said in an e-mail. ``No truth to it whatsoever.''

Thomas declined to comment on whether he had given the two- time All-Star permission to leave. After the game, he answered ``we'll see'' when asked if Marbury's punishment was done.

``I've played with people I don't like and I've won with people I don't like,'' he said to reporters in remarks shown by MSG Network after the Knicks lost their fourth straight game to fall to 2-5. ``My job is to try to win the basketball game. However I feel about a person doesn't matter. Whatever happens in the past is in the past and we move forward.''

The Knicks fined Marbury $180,000 for missing last night's 113-102 loss to the Suns, the Associated Press said, citing a person with knowledge of the penalty who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss it.

Gary Hall, general counsel of the National Basketball Players Association, said in an interview that the fine would likely be appealed.

Marbury told the Post yesterday that he wouldn't attend tonight's game.

$42 Million Left

Marbury has $42 million and two years remaining on his contract with the Knicks. He has said he wants to play in Italy when the deal expires.

Thomas acquired Marbury, 30, from the Suns in 2004 in his first move as the Knicks' president. Marbury, a Brooklyn native, feuded with former coach Larry Brown during the 2005-06 season and supported Thomas when he took over as coach, even after accepting a smaller role in the team's offense.

This offseason, Marbury testified in the sexual-harassment lawsuit filed by a former Knicks executive against Thomas. Marbury, who is married, admitted in testimony to having sex in his truck with a Madison Square Garden intern.

Marbury has averaged 15.2 points a game and 6.8 assists in five games this season, and averaged 19.8 points and 7.9 assists for his career.

To contact the reporters on this story: Dan Bollerman in New York at dbollerman@bloomberg.net; Larry DiTore in New York at lditore@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 15, 2007 02:12 EST