SuperSonics 103 - Knicks 94

By JIM COUR, AP Sports Writer
February 20, 2003

SEATTLE (AP) -- If it was Gary Payton's final game in a Seattle SuperSonics' uniform, he went out with a much-needed victory for a sagging franchise.

Gary Payton scored 31 points and Rashard Lewis had 26 as the Sonics ended a six-game losing streak with a 103-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Payton, the nine-time All-Star whose name has been prominent in trade rumors, helped Seattle end a five-game losing skid against New York.

``We're not talking about the (Thursday trading) deadline,'' Sonics coach Nate McMillan said testily when asked about Payton's future in Seattle. ``You guys are talking about the deadline and I think everybody is wanting something to happen or trying to create something out there.''

Lewis, who missed the Sonics' previous game with a sprained right ankle, shot 9-of-14 and had eight rebounds. Payton was 11-for-26.

Rookie forward Reggie Evans had 14 rebounds to help the Sonics outrebound the Knicks 47-34.

Lewis and Evans expect Payton will still be their teammate when the Sonics face Milwaukee here Friday night.

``I know this wasn't his last game as a Sonic,'' Lewis said. ``He's the leader of the team and he's going to lead us through the rest of his career and we're going to follow behind him.''

Evans said he's grown fond of playing with Payton.

``I don't think it will be his last game,'' Evans said. ``I think he'll still be here and be part of this team. Now, everyone here should just go home and just chill.''

Payton did not talk to the media.

Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell each scored 22 points for the Knicks, who lost for the second time on their West Coast road trip after getting off to a promising start with victories over Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Knicks have heard trade rumors involving Sprewell.

``We just have to go out there and do our jobs,'' Thomas said. ``We know that it's part of the business. Management is going to make their decision. But we expect this team to stay together intact.''

Sprewell also didn't speak to reporters.

Houston, who scored 53 points against the Lakers on Sunday, said the Sonics were more motivated than the Knicks because of their losing streak.

``You could tell that they were playing with some urgency and desperation,'' he said. ``If we don't match that, you see what happens and that's what happened to us. Not only did we not match it, we didn't come close.''

The Knicks went on a mini-run late in the game, scoring seven unanswered points to cut Seattle's lead to 91-88 with 3:44 to go, the final two on a pair of free throws by Clarence Weatherspoon.

But Lewis hit an eight-footer from the side after taking a pass from Payton, and Vladimir Radmanovic, who came off the bench to score 11 points, hit a critical 3-pointer with 2:50 remaining to give the Sonics a 96-88 advantage.

The Knicks tied the score at 49 on Howard Eisley's 3-pointer with 2:42 gone in the second half, but they never had the lead after leading 9-6 in the first quarter.

The Sonics went on a 21-2 run in the first quarter to take a 27-11 lead with 2:45 left in the period. Lewis scored seven of the points, finishing the run with a 3-pointer.

Seattle also led by 16 at 29-13 and 31-15 in the first half before the Knicks came back and the Sonics' tempers got the better of them.

Seattle coach Nate McMillan was called for a technical foul with 1:06 left in the opening half after Payton was charged with an offensive foul. With 39.2 seconds to go, Payton was whistled for a technical. Houston converted both free throw opportunities. His free throw after Payton's technical cut Seattle's leadto 43-38. ^Notes: Before the game, Knicks coach Don Chaney said he had talked to general manager Scott Layden before the game. ``I'll put it this way,'' Chaney said. ``Scott is working very hard, but we haven't made any trades yet.'' Layden is not on New York's West Coast trip. ... McMillan refused to talk about a possible Sonics' trade, referring all inquiries to general manager Rick Sund. Sund wasn't available to talk to the media. ... The Knicks' Charlie Ward did not play in the second half because of an abdominal strain. He scored two points on 1-for-5 shooting in 13 minutes. ``I just felt like someone kneed mein the pelvic area,'' said Ward, who wasn't sure when he can play again.

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