Williams Hopeful For Friday’s Game

Seattle SuperSonics backup center Aaron Williams tried to play Tuesday night against Minnesota, but after three minutes he realized the sore back he suffered in Milwaukee on Sunday was too painful to go on.

Williams suffered the injury when he had his legs taken out against the Bucks and landed on his lower back.

Trainer Frank Furtado applied a hot pack to Williams’ back before the game Tuesday, but it didn’t loosen the back enough to allow Williams to play an extended time.

Williams said he expects to be able to play Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

“It’s getting better every day,” Williams said.

Notes

Hersey Hawkins started his 400th straight game Tuesday, which is second in the league only to Utah’s Karl Malone. Dallas’ A.C. Green’s record streak is for games played, not starting.

“I take playing very seriously,” Hawkins said. “I’m from the old school. I get paid too much money not to be prepared to play.”

As the final seconds of the game ticked off Tuesday night, David Wingate got tangled with Sam Mitchell and Mitchell tried to rush Wingate before being held back by teammates.

As the players left the court, Mitchell was yelling to Wingate and motioning him to meet him in the tunnel leading to the locker room.

Wingate said as he was trying to get position for a rebound, Mitchell elbowed him.