CHARLESTON, S.C. -- New York Knicks president Scott Layden refused Tuesday to discuss details of Latrell Sprewell's hand injury, just one of the problems the team faced as it opened training camp.

	Sprewell

While most of the team went through the first of two-a-day practice sessions, Sprewell was in New York undergoing successful surgery to repair a displaced fracture below his right pinkie. He will wear a cast for a month and be sidelined at least six weeks.

''He told us he banged his hand two weeks ago. The focus now is to get him healthy and back with the team,'' Layden said.

Sprewell's hand injury caught the team by surprise. He showed up at the Knicks' practice facility Monday with a swollen right hand and complained that it hurt. X-rays revealed a broken bone.

It was unclear whether Sprewell gave the Knicks a detailed explanation as to the cause of the injury. The team refused to make Sprewell available to the media Monday, the team's media day, and neither Layden nor coach Don Chaney offered any details.

Layden, pressed on the issue of exactly how Sprewell injured himself, would not or could not provide an answer.

''What we know is he banged the hand two weeks ago. That's the comment,'' Layden said.

Layden, in the habit of giving non-answers to even the most basic questions, also would not comment on whether Sprewell had an obligation to notify the team when the injury occurred.

Sprewell's agent, Robert Gist, did not return calls seeking comment. A day earlier, Gist was unaware Sprewell had injured his hand.

Sprewell was one of three projected starters who were absent as the Knicks began camp. Allan Houston missed practice for personal reasons, while center Kurt Thomas was in Connecticut being arraigned on charges of third-degree assault and risking injury to a minor stemming from an altercation with his wife Monday at his Connecticut home.