Sonics Update

Opponent: Atlanta Hawks

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: KeyArena, Seattle

TV: FSN (cable)

Radio: KJR (950 AM)

Probable starters: For Seattle – forwards Rashard Lewis (6 feet 10 inches) and Reggie Evans (6-8), center Jerome James (7-1), guards Ray Allen (6-5) and Luke Ridnour (6-2). For Atlanta – forwards Al Harrington (6-9) and Antoine Walker (6-9), center Pedrag Drobniak (6-11), guards Boris Diaw (6-8) and Kenny Anderson (6-1).

Murray still out with quad strain

After missing all of the preseason except the first few minutes of the initial practice, Sonics guard Flip Murray tried to return from a strained quadricep muscle against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

He lasted eight minutes of the first half, managing just one field goal attempt – an air ball – before retiring to the bench for the rest of the game.

Murray told the coaching staff at halftime that his injury was bothering him, and on Thursday the third-year guard said he will sit out “until it’s not hurting at all.” That means Murray will not play tonight and may miss the next week or two.

“I’m not going to be back out on the court until I’m 100 percent,” he said. “However long it takes to stop hurting. Once it stops hurting, I’ll be available to go back out there. But until then I won’t get out there.”

Before the opener, Seattle had placed guard Ibo Kutluay on the injured list with knee tendinitis and he has to miss five games, according to league rules. Kutluay, then, will not be eligible to return until next Friday’s game against Toronto. That means rookie free agent Damien Wilkins will probably back up Ray Allen at shooting guard tonight.

On the bright side, forward Rashard Lewis played 32 minutes of Wednesday’s game and had 25 points and five rebounds. Lewis sat out Thursday’s practice as a precaution but is expected to play tonight. Also, forward Danny Fortson, who missed the first game with nagging back spasms, participated in part of Thursday’s practice and may be ready to go tonight.

Ear to ear: Though most of the faces were long following Wednesday’s debacle in Los Angeles, there was one broad smile at Thursday’s workout.

It belonged to 9-year-old Max Hanson of Seattle, who attended as part of his Make-A-Wish fantasy. Hanson, who has a life-threatening brain tumor, was clad in a small warmup suit when he stepped out of a limousine at the team’s practice facility. He was introduced to the team midway through the session, getting handshakes from a few players, including Allen. He was then boosted up onto a large courtside counter by team general manager Rick Sund, and from there he watched the rest of the practice with Lewis.

Later, Nick Collison shot baskets with the youngster.

Max’s fantasy week began with a Wednesday assembly at his St. Anne’s School in Seattle, which featured a surprise visit from Squatch, the Sonics mascot.

On Monday, Max and his family will join the Sonics on their charter flight to Denver for Tuesday night’s game against the Nuggets.

Trivia question: In what city did the Hawks franchise originate?

Scouting report: Like the Sonics, Atlanta will be smarting a bit heading into tonight’s game. The Hawks opened their season in Phoenix on Wednesday and were spanked by the Suns 112-82.

They also have lost 7-foot center Jason Collier, who will miss the next two games because of severe bronchitis. He played just five minutes Wednesday.

The Hawks have changed considerably from a year ago. Under new ownership, head coach Terry Stotts has been replaced by Mike Woodson. The team also features three new starters – forwards Al Harrington and Antoine Walker, and guard Kenny Anderson, the ex-Sonic.

Trivia answer: A trick question, really. In 1949, the Hawks actually began in three cities – Moline and Rock Island, Ill., and, across the Mississippi River, Davenport, Iowa – and were called the Tri-City Blackhawks. The team moved to Milwaukee in 1951 and the nickname was shortened to Hawks. In 1955 the franchise moved to St. Louis, and in 1968 it relocated to Atlanta.

Rich Myhre, Herald Writer