Larry Brown's brief but tumultuous tenure as coach of the New York Knicks is over. Brown was fired and then replaced Thursday by Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas.

In a disturbing scene that was a testament to the Knicks' long, stressful season, 65-year-old coach Larry Brown was wheeled out of Quicken Loans Arena on a gurney last night and taken to a local hospital.

Steve Francis made five free throws in the final 20 seconds of his first win with New York, Eddy Curry had 20 points and 11 rebounds, as the Knicks ended a six-game losing streak.

Separate trades with Portland for Theo Ratliff and Darius Miles and with Orlando for Steve Francis were among the most realistic scenarios under discussion yesterday.

Stephon Marbury poured in 28 points and Jamal Crawford chipped in with 25 off the bench to lead the surging New York Knicks past the Dallas Mavericks 117-115 in overtime on Wednesday.