Isiah Thomas has all but severed his ties to the Knicks – opting not to contact his bosses since popping too many sleeping pills last week and pinning the blame on his teenage daughter, team President Donnie Walsh said yesterday.
“I don’t expect to [speak to him]. It’s a private moment for Isiah and the family. I’ll respect their privacy,” Walsh said of his predecessor and ex-Knick coach.
He added that he’d be there for Thomas if he “wants to talk.”
The overdose prompted new Knick coach Mike D’Antoni to pull out of last night’s scheduled appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
“Not good timing,” said D’Antoni, who had been slated to read a top-10 list of Knick promises for the new season.
Thomas, 47, now a Knick consultant, was found unconscious in his mansion in Purchase, Westchester County, last Friday after swallowing about 10 Lunesta sleeping pills, sources said.
He claimed later that day that it was his daughter Lauren, 18, who was having a medical issue.
But Harrison Police Chief David Hall said Thomas was “trying to cover up . . . an accidental overdose [by] not telling the truth.”
Thomas remained holed up in his home as the team practiced yesterday in preparation for the season-opener tomorrow night against the Miami Heat at MSG.