KNICK NOTES

Second-year point guard Frank Williams, whose mother passed away two weeks ago, returned to the club yesterday, but admitted he’s unsure if he’ll get another crack at playing this season.

Williams was placed on the injured list Friday, meaning he won’t be eligible to be activated for three more games. Williams still is shaken by the sudden death of his 55-year-old mother, Mary. He is one of her 10 children.

“I’m just trying to get my mind off it,” Williams said, “keep myself occupied. I try not to think about it. It’s hard to, but I’m trying to keep busy as much as possible. My family was telling me I need to get back and ease my mind back into basketball. They know it’s going to be hard for me.”

Moochie Norris and Penny Hardaway have been splitting the backup point-guard duties – a minor role because Stephon Marbury often logs 40 minutes.

Asked if he thinks he’ll play again this season, Williams, who likely will be used as trade bait this summer, said: “I don’t know. Time will tell. I’m just trying to make the most of each day. At the end of the day, who knows.”

* Dikembe Mutombo, still on the injured list after lower abdominal surgery two weeks ago, paid a visit to practice yesterday. He had targeted Friday’s game vs. Nets as his return. With Vin Baker aboard, however, and Mutombo’s role now undefined, there’s no rush.

When asked about Baker leaping into a starting center’s role, Lenny Wilkens said: “The rust is coming off. In time, yes, it could happen.” Wilkens even said yesterday that starting center Nazr Mohammed and Mike Sweetney could learn from Baker “how to play the position.”

* Baker told The Post he plans to meet this week with owner James Dolan, who also has battled alcoholism, to discuss their experiences. Dolan politely declined comment yesterday. Baker is hoping Dolan can steer him on the path to sobriety. After a solid start to the season in Boston, Baker relapsed.

“My success early in the year, I put my after-care on the backburner, no way you can do that,” Baker said. “It was a comfort zone I fell into.”