Askew Thankful After Healthy Return

Seattle SuperSonics swingman Vincent Askew emerged from his first game off the injured list unscathed. When he woke up Wednesday morning, he was pleased to have no additional pain or soreness in his groin, which had sidelined him for nine games.

Askew returned Tuesday for 18 minutes against the Utah Jazz.

“Defensively, he looked fine,” Sonics coach George Karl said. “Offensively, he was a little hesitant, but that’s understandable. It was a big game on the road.”

In his second game, Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, Askew was more assertive on offense.

During a 3-1/2-minute stretch of the second quarter, he scored eight of the Sonics’ 10 points, all inside the lane. While hitting all four of his attempts, he scored on consecutive possessions by backing in on Tim Breaux and scoring over the second-year guard.

Askew said the difference between attempting one shot Tuesday and scoring with ease Wednesday was opportunity.

“You just gotta take what they give you - on a good team,” he said.

In an attempt to sustain his recovery, Askew will continue to undergo daily 45-minute electrical stimulation treatments.

Fast breaks

Sonics power forward Shawn Kemp didn’t play the final 3:32 of Tuesday’s game because he injured his shoulder. Kemp was able to start against the Rockets and play his usual minutes….

Sonics small forward Detlef Schrempf, who scored a team-leading 29 points against the Jazz despite a stiff neck, was feeling better on Wednesday, following a treatment session. Schrempf has never been bothered by a stiff neck for such a long time.

“Usually, it’s just a one day thing,” he said….

Point guard Gary Payton was a candidate for the NBA player of the month award, which was won by San Antonio’s David Robinson. Payton averaged 22.7 points on 51 percent shooting from the field and 84 percent shooting from the free-throw line. He also averaged 7.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals….

Another in a series of silent auctions will be held prior to Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Among the items that will be auctioned off: a Los Angeles Lakers jersey signed by Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a basketball signed by the San Antonio Spurs, a jersey and shorts signed by Sam Perkins and a poster signed by Suns star Charles Barkley. All proceeds benefit the Net Foundation, a nonprofit organization.