Hawkins, Sonics Bury 3s, Cuff Kings 120-103 Hawkins Scores 34; Seattle Tightens Pacific Race

The Seattle SuperSonics delivered a message to the Sacramento Kings from long range Friday night.

In a 120-103 victory, Seattle connected on 13 of 22 3-pointers and guard Hersey Hawkins tied an arena record with 7 in 10 attempts as the Sonics won for the sixth time in seven games.

“We were waiting on this game,” said Hawkins, who was 12 of 17 in scoring 34 points, a season high. “We came here and wanted to send a message.”

Gary Payton completed Seattle’s backcourt blitz by contributing 24 points, 14 assists and four steals as Seattle cut the Kings’ Pacific Division lead to a half-game.

“This is the first time this season my body has felt real good,” Payton said. “I just got back to my game tonight. It’s always a motivation to pick up a road win against the team on top.”

The Kings, who had a five-game winning streak snapped following a five-day layoff, suffered their worst defeat of the season after trailing virtually the entire game.

“We just weren’t sharp from the get-go,” Kings coach Garry St. Jean said. “They made their shots and we just weren’t as sharp as we have been.”

Mitch Richmond became Sacramento’s career scoring leader with 26 points. He needed 14 to surpass Wayman Tisdale. Following a 13-point first half, he set the record with a layup 39 seconds into the third quarter.

Payton scored 11 points and Hawkins added 10 in the third quarter, helping Seattle retain control after the Kings cut the lead to seven.

The Sonics sizzled from the start, connecting on 70 percent (14 of 20) in taking a 32-24 lead after one quarter.

They maintained their blistering pace with 11-for-16 shooting (68.8) percent in the second period en route to a 61-51 halftime lead. They finished at 58 percent (43 of 74).

“The team played a great game tonight,” Seattle coach George Karl said. “It seemed like every time Sacramento made a run, Hawkins would make a 3 and get us on a roll again.”

Notes

Rookie Eric Snow was tripped and knocked to the floor late in the first half. The jolt knocked out his contact lens. During a 20-second timeout, trainer Frank Furtado supplied another one and Snow sank 1 of 2 foul shots.

Karl has set a goal of winning 20 games by Jan. 1, but he isn’t holding the Sonics to it unless guard Nate McMillan contributes.

McMillan will be on the injured list until at least Dec. 15.

McMillan’s surgically repaired left ankle, which he spent the summer and fall rehabilitating, is not what put him on the injured list this time. He has pulled muscles in the left groin and hip flexor area.