New York Knicks/Seattle SuperSonics NBA recap on ESPN

The Sonics, off to a 3-6 start, got 10 points and nine rebounds from Ewing, 38, who played 31 minutes. Ewing's layup with 5:51 to go put Seattle in front 85-68. He had eight of his points in the second half.

"He's not a go-to superstar that he once was, but he's still a very good center," Sonics coach Paul Westphal said. "We're all real happy for Patrick. You could see him smiling after the game. I'm sure it meant a lot to him."

Camby, Ewing's replacement at center for the Knicks, had 20 points and 17 rebounds.

"I was definitely emotional," Camby said. "I gave Patrick a hug and told him how much we miss him and stuff. Doing well against him meant nothing. If we would have gotten a win, it might have meant something."

Ewing passed Charles Barkley with 23,760 career points to move into 13th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

"I'm real happy to get the game over," Ewing said. "I was tired of all the media hype and all the questions. I'm very relieved. Now all the New York media can go home."

Rashard Lewis added 22 points for the Sonics.

The Sonics got 3-pointers from Payton and Lewis to start the second half and then consecutive baskets from Ewing to take a 58-43 lead. Ewing hustled for an offensive rebound and made a layup before he took a pass from Payton to score on a dunk.

Ewing knocked down Charlie Ward, the Knicks' point guard, on a fastbreak attempt and was charged with a foul in the third quarter.

Ewing warmly greeted his former teammates with hugs and handshakes just before the opening tip, which he batted to Payton. He also smiled broadly at the Knicks bench, where his former coach, Jeff Van Gundy, was sitting.

"I've been to war with those guys for a lot of years," Ewing said. "I wished them well and they wished me well."

Van Gundy huddled with Ewing in the hallway after the game. But he didn't want to talk about his former center with the media after the game.

"It was fine," he said when asked what it was like to see Ewing in a Seattle uniform. "But it's not about individuals."

Ewing missed his first four shots in the first half before connecting on a wide-open 15-foot jumper from the baseline that gave the Sonics a 45-43 lead.

"I was just rushing things in the first half," said Ewing, who had five turnovers. "In the second half, I just slowed things down a little bit."

The Sonics, just back from a dismal Eastern road trip in which they went 1-4, got 16 points from Payton and 12 from Lewis in the opening half.

Van Gundy was unhappy with the way his team played in the second half.

"We didn't work hard, we didn't pass the ball to the open man and we didn't play defense," he said. "I'm just so tired of our team just playing once in awhile."

Game notes
The Sonics made a lineup change. Coach Paul Westphal started Ruben Patterson in place of rookie Desmond Mason at shooting guard. It was Patterson's first start of the season. Mason started the first eight games. Patterson helped hold Allan Houston to 12 points. Mason didn't play. Westphal said he planned to continue starting Patterson. "I like that," he said. "That's a good look for us." ... Ewing came to the Sonics in a blockbuster four-team trade on Sept. 20. The trade brought Glen Rice, Luc Longley and Travis Knight to the Knicks. ... Ewing played 1,039 games and had 23,665 points and 10,759 rebounds in his 15 seasons with New York. ... Ewing returns to New York to face the Knicks Feb. 27.

NBA Scoreboard

New York Clubhouse

Seattle Clubhouse

RECAPS
Atlanta 99
Portland 97

Cleveland 96
Golden State 86

Miami 89
Charlotte 86

Sacramento 96
Orlando 82

Houston 110
Chicago 83

San Antonio 86
Utah 79

Seattle 96
New York 75

LA Lakers 119
Denver 103

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