Knicks A No Show At Ewings' Party

It didn't really matter that Patrick Ewing was outplayed by Marcus Camby. Ewing's new team got the victory a decisive one.

Gary Payton had 25 points and 13 assists Tuesday night to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to a 96-75 victory over the New York Knicks.

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.

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.

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.

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

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