Knicks coach Larry Brown is still trying to find the right combination that will bring the Knicks their first victory. Desperate for a win, Brown tinkered with the lineup, playing rookies David Lee, Channing Frye, and Nate Robinson together, and it seemed to spark the Knicks. But Golden State proved to be too much, as Jason Richardson had 24 points to lead the Warriors to an 83-81 victory yesterday.

“I won’t play the rookies all the time, but they earned it,” Brown said. “It’s going to take some time. We’re trying to figure out who can play and who can help us.”

Lee, who saw his first action of the season after being on the inactive list the first two games, had seven points during a 16-6 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth.

“They recognize I’m a hard worker and that’s what I’m going to continue to do every time I step onto a floor,” said Lee, who was constantly hustling to keep balls alive and finished with 10 rebounds.

Golden State guard Baron Davis returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with a strained hamstring. He had 16 points and nine assists. Troy Murphy added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors (2-1).

Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 15 points and six assists. Frye had 12 points and Eddy Curry and Trevor Ariza each added 11.

Curry scored eight in the first quarter as the Knicks kept trying to give him the ball in the post. But foul trouble forced him from the game for good with 3:16 left in the third quarter.

“When he gets into a little better shape and stays out of foul trouble, he’ll stay in the game for longer stretches,” Brown said.

Marbury had a tough first half and didn’t hit his first shot until 5:53 left in the second quarter. Quentin Richardson was scoreless for New York until the final minute, when he hit a layup and jumper at the buzzer for the final margin.

The Knicks, who play 13 of their first 19 games on the road, begin a six-game road trip Wednesday in Portland.