ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Tuesday, Feb. 27 8:00pm ET
Knicks rough up Ewing's fading Sonics

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

NEW YORK (AP) – A three-minute standing ovation was followed by three minutes of vintage Patrick Ewing. There were no tears, no boos, plenty of hugs, a couple of chants – along with several reminders of how Ewing's best days are behind him.

Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing had a tough time against Marcus Camby, getting outscored 21-12 and outrebounded 17-5.

On an emotional night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks spoiled Ewing's homecoming Tuesday with a 101-92 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

"I thought I played pretty well," Ewing said. "It didn't go as well as I would have liked. I wanted to win."

Chants of "Pat-rick Ew-ing" accompanied a loud and long ovation during pregame introductions as the player who was the face of the franchise for 15 years stood with a smile on his face and soaked it in.

"Why no tears? I don't know. I thought it was great what the fans did," Ewing said. "We've had a love-hate relationship throughout the years, but I think they were appreciative of what I brought to the table every night. I thought they did a great job of showing their appreciation."

Ewing made his first three shots and grabbed four early rebounds but didn't play well the rest of the way, exhibiting many of the traits – bad hands, an increasingly inconsistent jump shot, a couple of dribbles off his feet – that frustrated Knicks fans over the years.

Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby scored consecutive baskets against Ewing late in the third quarter to start a 12-0 run that gave New York a 15-point lead.

Ewing returned with 7:15 left and the Sonics trailing by 13, and they cut their deficit to 90-88. Sprewell then scored over Ewing and Camby beat Ewing on a backdoor play for a dunk that gave New York a six-point lead.

Allan Houston led New York with 24 points, Camby had 21 points and 17 rebounds, and Sprewell added 21 points. Mark Jackson had nine points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, while Glen Rice scored 20.

Ewing finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 32 minutes for Seattle, which lost its third straight to drop to .500 (29-29) for the first time in more than a month. Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 20 points.

A crowd of 19,763 turned out early to make sure they were on hand for the one moment basketball fans in the city had been looking forward to since last summer when Ewing was traded.

Jackson, the newest Knick, was the first to extend a handshake and a hug prior to the opening tip.

"I'm glad I was here," Jackson said. "I don't think watching it on TV from another city would have done it any justice."

Ewing got the ball in the low post on Seattle's first possession and scored easily over a smiling Camby, but the basket did not bring much of a boisterous response. That had already happened during pregame introductions as the crowd stood and cheered throughout a one-minute compilation of video highlights from Ewing's career.

The ovation continued as Ewing, who stood shifting from side to side during the highlight film, was introduced first among Seattle's starters.

"I didn't think about it (crying). I think if I thought about it, it would have happened," Ewing said. "That's why I said 'Let's get the game started before the tears really start coming.'"

Ewing made his first three shots and scored half of Seattle's first 16 points as the Sonics opened a 31-27 lead after one quarter. He found himself staring down at the Knicks bench during a second-quarter timeout, exchanging nods and smiles with whoever caught his eye, but sat out for most of the period.

Knicks guard Charlie Ward committed four turnovers in the first two minutes of the second quarter, and coach Jeff Van Gundy yanked him after Gary Payton scored seven points against him in four minutes.

Van Gundy went to a three-guard alignment of Houston, Sprewell and Glen Rice for the final 2:33 of the quarter, and the Knicks promptly closed the half with an 11-0 run for a 59-52 lead.

Seattle closed to 68-65 midway through the third before Sprewell hit a jumper over Ewing and Camby drove around Ewing for a layup. Rice added a 3-pointer and Houston followed with a jumper as the Knicks closed the quarter with a 12-0 run to take a 15-point lead into the fourth.

Ewing hit the final shot of the game, and the fans chanted his name once more.

"We clap for drug addicts and criminals, but here's a guy who really deserves it," Jackson said. "New York fans have got to be proud of what they did tonight."

Game notes
Ewing paid a pregame visit to the players lounge near the Knicks locker room, saying hello to players, coaches and team officials. He did not travel with the team from Boston to New York after their game on Monday night because his father, Carl, became ill after the Sonics-Celtics game. ... Shammond Williams started at guard for Seattle as Brent Barry (strained left groin) and Emanuel Davis (left ankle sprain) were not available.

Send this story to a friend
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Seattle Clubhouse

New York Clubhouse


Report: McMillan agrees to four-year deal with Sonics

Garden fans give smiling Ewing a standing ovation

Lawrence: Knicks no better off without Ewing

Wojnarowski: Patrick's heart still with Knicks

Dr. Jack: Ewing should get an ovation

Fans: Loud applause in the forecast


RECAPS
Toronto 101
Cleveland 89

Miami 103
Washington 95

New York 101
Seattle 92

Portland 95
San Antonio 87

Sacramento 106
LA Clippers 93

Dallas 116
Vancouver 112

AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Patrick Ewing says the Knicks' fans made him feel at home in his return to New York.
wav: 362 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Jeff Van Gundy was emotional in Ewing's return to Madison Square Garden.
wav: 233 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 ESPN's David Aldridge catches up with Mark Jackson after an emotional night at the Garden.
wav: 791 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.