A blanket of secrecy yesterday remained over Madison Square Garden and MSG Network following Friday’s brief announcement that affable Knick radio and TV analyst John (Johnny Hoops) Andariese had been placed on administrative leave by the Garden for the remainder of the season — if not longer.

Whatever the reason, it can’t be pretty. Preliminary indications are that Andariese was determined by MSG to be in violation of corporate policy.

Andariese has not returned calls and MSG refuses to provide specifics for its action. However, the Garden says that the matter likely will be addressed for public consumption in the near future.

Andariese, 61 and a Knick color analyst for most of his 28 years in sportscasting, did not work Tuesday’s game in Sacramento nor Wednesday’s in Seattle, having been called back to New York to discuss his standing with Garden executives. Prior to Friday’s game in Vancouver, the network issued a brief statement that Andariese was through for the season.

Ten games back from his right-knee njury, Marcus Camby is flying around the court and seemingly scoring at will inside. Three weeks ago, he was a shell of what he is now, sitll wearing the uncomfortable brace, still getting his timing back.

It is why Camby, coming off two spectacular games in the Pacific Northwest, can be the difference-maker today when the Knicks face the Lakers.

Camby was 1-for-8 in the first meeting March 19 at the Garden, missing several easy layups and complaining he still had no explosion in his legs. “I was there but I wasn’t close to 100 percent as I am now,” said Camby. “I hope I can make a difference in the ballgame. I go into every game trying to make a difference. Hopefully I can get the job and provide the energy we need to beat this team.”

In the past two outings, Camby has been the energetic force that has lifted the Knicks out of their first-quarter doldrums. The Knicks fell behind Seattle Wednesday 15-2 and Vancouver 15-6. Each time, Camby came to the rescue.