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Nash back in B.C.

Suns guard Steve Nash drives past the Sonics' Luke Ridnour on Friday.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Suns guard Steve Nash drives past the Sonics' Luke Ridnour on Friday.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Chris Wilcox scored 27 points, but fifth draft pick Jeff Green sprained his ankle in the Seattle SuperSonics’ 121-108 win over the Phoenix Suns in the exhibition finale for both teams Friday night at Vancouver, British Columbia.

Steve Nash’s return to his home province was the first NBA game in Vancouver since 2001, when the Grizzlies moved to Memphis.

Amare Stoudemire had an encouraging 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns and Nash had a preseason-high 12 assists while wowing an adoring crowd that sold out General Motors Place for something other than Canucks hockey.

Nash played three quarters. The sellout crowd roared with “We want Nash!” chants throughout the final period. Suns coach Mike D’Antoni kept smiling – but kept his two-time MVP on the bench to preserve his health.

Nash gave the fans a final thrill by throwing his purple-and-black game shoes into the screaming crowd.

Stoudemire, the All-Star playing his second exhibition game since arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 2, ran relentlessly throughout most of his 25 minutes for Phoenix, which finished the preseason 5-3. Seattle finished 2-6.

Green sprained his left ankle early in the second half. The rookie from Georgetown, starting because Kevin Durant was already back in Seattle with his own sprained left ankle, went to the locker room for treatment. He then returned to finish the third period before leaving for the night with 13 points.

Durant spent the day shooting and walking on a treadmill. Coach P.J. Carlesimo didn’t know whether Durant will be ready for the opener Wednesday at Denver.

Around the league

Former NBA player Eddie Griffin had more than three times the legal alcohol limit in his system when he crashed his SUV into a moving train and died this summer. The Harris County (Texas) Medical Examiner’s office said the 25-year-old Griffin died of “multiple blunt force injuries.” The ME’s office said Griffin’s blood-alcohol level was 0.26. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08. Griffin died Aug. 17. … Sacramento guard Mike Bibby will miss at least six weeks of the regular season after tearing a ligament in his left thumb.