Could Charlie Ward have won back his backup point-guard job back by shooting 1 of 8 and throwing a pass five feet over Latrell Sprewell’s head in Wednesday night’s 96-72 loss to the Suns? Maybe. That’s the sad state of the Knicks’ point-guard affairs.

A rusty Ward, in his first action in five games, was inserted in the first half, alongside Howard Eisley as Jeff Van Gundy put two point guards on the floor. In the second half, Ward played and Eisley sat. Eisley committed two ghastly turnovers in the first half and is shooting just 29 percent. Starter Mark Jackson has been inconsistent, too.

It’s unclear, though, what Ward’s playing time in the second half means because the entire fourth quarter was garbage time. Van Gundy had promoted Eisley to backup point guard over Ward vs. Portland 10 days ago. “I don’t have the slightest idea [what’s going on],” Ward said.