Sonics Update

Herald Staff

Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers

When: 7 p.m.Saturday

Where: KeyArena, Seattle

TV: KONG (6/16)

Radio: KJR (950 AM)

Barry update: Guard Brent Barry, who missed Tuesday’s game in Vancouver with a sprained ankle suffered at a light workout earlier in the day, was again in street clothes for Wednesday’s meeting with Denver. There is a chance he will return for Seattle’s next game, which is at home Saturday against Portland.

Barry had “a little bit of stiffness” when he met with the training staff on Wednesday morning, but it was not the kind of discomfort that might mean Barry will be out several weeks.

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Have patience with Patrick: Several factors conspired to limit Seattle’s Patrick Ewing to just two points in Tuesday’s game in Vancouver. Primarily, the Grizzlies were doing a good job of clogging the middle to deny Ewing and Sonics forward Vin Baker, once it became clear the other Seattle players were not shooting well from the outside.

Ewing finished the night 1-for-6, though he managed 12 rebounds and two blocked shots.

“We certainly didn’t get him here to score two points a game,” Sonics coach Paul Westphal said. “But he’s going to have lots of bigger games than that.”

Rebounds and blocked shots “are the No. 1 thing we want from him,” Westphal added. “We want offense, too, but we’ll get offense. I don’t have any doubt that most nights he’ll (score) in double figures.”

Opening night fanfare: The Sonics were introduced before the game with dimmed lights, fireworks and other special effects. The entire team was introduced and guard Gary Payton made a few brief remarks to the KeyArena crowd.

The Sonics celebrated “Turn Back the Clock Night” for the game, with the cost of tickets, food and team merchandise reduced to 1975 prices.