Knicks’ Marbury is suspended, loses pay

. -- The New York Knicks suspended Stephon Marbury a game and docked him nearly $400,000 in salary Friday after claiming he refused to play in Wednesday’s game when asked.

The disgruntled guard insists he never told Coach Mike D’Antoni “no” and plans to appeal.

Just another chapter in Marbury’s turbulent tenure with his hometown team.

Marbury was not at the team’s practice facility Friday.

The punishment likely accelerates a divorce between the Knicks and their one-time star.

While Marbury said his preference was not to play Wednesday, “he made it clear he was not refusing to play,” according to a players’ association official who requested anonymity because the appeals process had not yet begun.