Nate Robinson will return tonight from the 10-game suspension he incurred after the brawl against Denver, and the diminutive guard, typically a Garden favorite, is unsure how the faithful will greet him.

“I don’t know,” Robinson said after practice. “I’m definitely skeptical about how that’s going to turn out.”

While Robinson won’t have control over the crowd’s initial reaction, his play will determine whether he gets back in its good graces for the long haul.

“I’m excited just to get back,” Robinson said. “I can come in, contribute and bring energy. I can’t wait for [tonight].”

Robinson now has to prevent the overzealous lack of judgment that has hurt him in the past and still remain the energetic presence that has made him valuable to head coach Isiah Thomas.

He thinks he will be able to balance the two.

“I just have to learn from it,” Robinson said. “This has definitely changed me. It’s the first time I’ve sat out in my life. It’s about being more poised when you’re on the court. I’ll try it and see how it works. Anything is possible.”

The Knicks would undoubtedly like to see him cut down on his ill-advised dunks and mannerisms that infuriated Larry Brown and Thomas. Robinson said he would make an effort to alter his ways.

“I’ll try and see how it works,” Robinson said. “I’m just going to go out and play and hopefully don’t let my emotions get too high.”

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Thomas denied a Post report that he was trying to buy out the remainder of Steve Francis’ contract, insisting that the guard was rehabbing his ailing knee in Houston.

“It’s never been discussed,” Thomas said. “I do expect him back with the Knicks. If it was up to me, he’d suit up tomorrow.”

Francis’ agent, Jeff Fried, echoed Thomas.

“Isiah is right,” Fried said. “We haven’t talked.”