Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said after practice Thursday that Ewing had decided he is ready and will start at center against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ewing's last game was June 1, when he partially tore his Achilles' tendon in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Indiana.

"I asked him before practice and he said he hadn't made up his mind, but after practice he said he's going to play," Van Gundy said.

Ewing, an 11-time All-Star, brushed past reporters after practice -- an action that drew him a $10,000 fine from the Knicks.

Ewing has repeatedly refused to speak to the media this season, a violation of league rules that earned him a $10,000 fine from the NBA on Wednesday. In addition, the Knicks were fined $25,000.

The players' union plans to file grievances over both $10,000 fines, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said Friday.

Ewing will replace Andrew Lang in the starting lineup. He has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons, first with a broken wrist and then with his Achilles' tendon injury.

Ewing, who has averaged 23.3 points in his 14-year career, has been practicing for weeks.

"I expect him to get better over time," Van Gundy said. "I expect him to probably struggle for a couple of weeks."