Sonics Update

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, January 26, 2002

Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: KeyArena, Seattle

TV: KONG (Ch. 6/16)

Radio: KJR (950 AM)

Seattle’s Vin Baker did not play against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night because of a sore left shoulder.

“I can’t lift (my arm) above my head right now,” said Baker, who injured his shoulder in the first quarter Thursday night at Milwaukee. “There’s a lot of pain in it. I hope to be back by Tuesday (against Portland).”

Baker missed eight games earlier this season with knee and thumb injuries. He said the latest injury likely was a bone contusion.

“I got hit on it, as opposed to twisting it,” he said. “The doctor will look at it when we get back to Seattle. I think with some more treatment for a couple of days, I’ll be back by Tuesday.”

James gets the nod: Jerome James, who started in place of Baker, scored two of Seattle’s first three baskets and finished with eight points in 14 minutes.

Tinsley leaves early: Indiana rookie guard Jamaal Tinsley left the game with a minute to go in the third quarter with a strained left hip.