Knicks to hire Walsh

The New York Knicks will turn their basketball operations over to Donnie Walsh today.

The Knicks will announce the hiring of Walsh as their new president at a news conference, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.

Walsh, the longtime Indiana Pacers executive, will replace Isiah Thomas as president. Thomas is also the Knicks’ coach.

Thomas’ future remains unclear. He has repeatedly said he expects to be with the Knicks next season, but that probably will be up to Walsh -- who hired Thomas to coach the Pacers in 2000. The Knicks (20-54) haven’t won a playoff game since Thomas arrived as president in December 2003 and could be headed for their first 60-loss season. Walsh, 67, recently announced he was leaving the Pacers after 24 years.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, sidelined since suffering knee and ankle sprains March 23, was upgraded to day to day by the team, which said he would be re-evaluated today to see if he can play tonight against the Warriors. The Mavericks are 2-2 without him.