The strange saga of Marcus Camby’s right knee took another strange turn yesterday.

Defying team doctor Norman Scott’s advice, Camby returned from the injured list and played vs. Houston last night, logging two points and two boards in 15 minutes.

Before the game, Camby revealed he had suffered more swelling in the knee following yesterday’s morning shoot-around — raising concerns with Dr. Scott. But the Knicks’ Sixth Man was adamant about playing, and Scott didn’t stand in his way.

Camby, who received a huge ovation when he entered to start the second quarter, must play with a brace, with which he is uncomfortable.

“He was trying to hold me out a couple of more days because of the swelling,” Camby said of Scott. “We talked. I’ll have swelling probably the rest of the season. It’s something I’ll have to deal with. I feel confident enough that I’m ready to play. I listened to him last time but I feel more ready than I was the previous time. He wanted me to rest it a couple of more days. But my mindset was I was going to play today.”

Camby, who had missed the previous 17 games because of a strained ACL that once was thought to be torn, had returned to practice March 1 but severe swelling delayed matters. Camby didn’t return to practice again until Monday.

Despite the swelling, Camby said he’s feeling “very minimal pain.”