31 hours away from the Sonics tipping off the season in Denver (7:30 p.m., FSN/ESPN, KTTH 770 AM), it appears this will be the fivesome that takes the floor to start the game:
PG - Earl Watson
SG - Kevin Durant
SF - Damien Wilkins
PF - Chris Wilcox
C - Nick Collison
Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo said Collison was very likely to start at center - about 95% likely, in fact. Robert Swift and Kurt Thomas, who strained his right hamstring during practice, are both listed as game-time decisions but Carlesimo called Swift "very doubtful" to play. He has not practiced much this week, which would make it difficult for him to be back in the lineup against Phoenix either - Carlesimo noting that the Suns are not really the opponent against whom you want to ease a player back to action.
The news is better for rookies Durant and Green. Both are considered game-time decisions, but they went through a second straight day of practice. The Sonics won't know for sure if the two will be available until seeing how they feel later today, after the flight to Denver, and tomorrow, but unless something changes they are both expected to play.
The first unit, along with Delonte West, and the second unit dummied through some plays on offense during the portion of practice open to the media, as well as running transition.
Luke Ridnour had his problematic facemask adjusted yesterday after practice, a change that should help him keep it on.
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