Ex-Knicks Coach Reportedly Has Leukemia

Former Knicks coach Red Holzman has leukemia, according to a report published by the New York Post.

Holzman, who coached the Knicks to their only two NBA championships, was admitted to Long Island Jewish Hospital on Wednesday and may be released during the weekend.

Holzman said he didn’t want to talk about the nature of his illness when reached in his hospital room. “I don’t want to say anything right now,” he said.

Holzman, who coached the Knicks to their only two National Basketball Association championships in 1970 and 1973, had a 613-484 record in two stints as coach. He also coached the Hawks, first in Milwaukee, then in St. Louis.

In 1990, the Knicks honored the Holzman, the 1970 Coach of the Year, by retiring the number 613 in honor of his win total.

Holzman, a member of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, ranks 11th on the NBA’s list of winningest coaches with 696 victories in 18 seasons.

Around the league

With Hakeem Olajuwon out, a lot of Houston Rockets - like slow point guard Matt Maloney and very small forward Mario Elie - are being exposed, and coach Rudy Tomjanovich is ready to deal. The Houston Chronicle reported that Charles Barkley told the team he was unhappy and would like to be traded, but a Rockets official took Barkley to lunch and assured him they’re making changes that won’t include him. When Olajuwon returns, they’d like to swap Kevin Willis for Toronto’s Damon Stoudamire.

The San Antonio Spurs, after waiving Charles Smith, have applied for a disabled player’s exception. If the league grants it, they’ll have $1.9 million to spend. … Starting point guard Mookie Blaylock and rookie Ed Gray were placed on the injured list by the Atlanta Hawks. Blaylock is expected to miss 10 days to two weeks.

On the courts

Michael Jordan scored 44 points, surpassing 40 for the fourth time since Christmas, and the Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 90-89 Friday night in New York. The Knicks missed a chance to win the game when Chris Childs’ 3-point shot fell short at the buzzer.

At Minneapolis, Stephon Marbury scored 27 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 44.4 seconds left, to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 96-91 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.