Bad Ankle Handicaps Mcmillan
The left ankle of Seattle SuperSonics guard Nate McMillan didn’t hold up well after its test run Wednesday. Pain and soreness in his surgically repaired ankle caused McMillan to return to his sideline vantage point at Thursday’s practice. It will keep him on the bench this weekend when the Sonics play their last two exhibition games.
“I think I got a little too excited and did too much,” McMillan said. “I don’t want to see myself go backward. I want to continue to improve. Instead of playing in some pain, I’m going to go back to my old routine of shooting and conditioning and taking it slowly.”
Although the time table is difficult to pinpoint, Sonics coach George Karl expects McMillan to be at full strength by the latter part of November. In his absence, rookie Eric Snow and veteran swingman David Wingate have served as backup point guards to Gary Payton.
Payton faces suit
A woman filed a paternity suit Thursday in Chicago against Supersonics guard Gary Payton, seeking 20 percent of his annual income for support of a 3-year-old son she says he fathered.
Kimberly Sparks seeks to establish Payton as the natural father of Gary Dwayne Payton Jr.
Payton has said he has supported the child for three years and will continue to do so if DNA tests show he is the father.
The tests taken three weeks ago may take up to another three weeks to be complete, said John A. Sopuch III, the lawyer representing Sparks.
“He has admitted he is the father all along, so this is a no-brainer,” Sopuch said. “She is seeking 20 percent of his net annual income, which she is entitled to under Illinois law. He is offering nothing.”
Tickets go on sale
Single-game tickets for Seattle Sonics regular-season home games go on sale today at DJ’s Sound City stores in Spokane.
The Sonics will play in new Key Arena at the Seattle Center. Ticket prices range from $7 to $65, plus convenience charge. The Spokane Ticketmaster outlets are cash only.
Dave Holmes of DJ’s said the lineup will begin at 9:30 a.m. with sales starting at 10 a.m. DJ’s stores are located at Crescent Court, NorthTown and University City.
, DataTimes