"Al Harrington said yesterday he may need surgery on his left shoulder after the season.

Harrington plans to play through his shoulder injury, though, with just nine games left, including tonight's against the Trail Blazers. The Knicks forward heads toward the uncertainty of free agency and probably feels still on showcase.

"I've got an AC joint inflammation thing," said Harrington, who still grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 26 points in keeping the Knicks close in their 103-98 loss Monday in Utah. "It may require surgery. I have to wait in the offseason."

It's not a good time to undergo the knife, especially with the Knicks seemingly uninterested in re-signing Harrington, and with coach Mike D'Antoni never showing him any love.

"As long as it's not career threatening, I should be fine," Harrington said. "Whatever it is, I definitely can get over it in the summer time."

Harrington told The Post recently he would consider playing with the Nets in Newark, a five-minute drive from his high school. But he still wants to remain a Knick. The Post's Fred Kerber reported last week the Nets may look Harrington's way."