Sonics keep Lakers reeling

LOS ANGELES – Ronald “Flip” Murray’s playing time is usually limited since he plays behind Seattle All-Star Ray Allen.

Murray got an opportunity Sunday night when Allen sprained his right ankle, and there was no discernible drop-off.

Murray scored a season-high 25 points in 35 minutes, Rashard Lewis had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and the short-handed SuperSonics held off the slumping Los Angeles Lakers 102-100.

“I just had to wait my turn. My time eventually comes,” Murray said. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. That’s the thing about the NBA – you have to be patient.

“There wasn’t anything spectacular I was trying to do. It feels good go get in there and play, but whenever you get a chance to go out there, even for 5 minutes a game, it’s always special.”

Murray entered averaging 5.6 points and 14.7 minutes per game.

“Everybody knows Flip can play,” Lewis said. “We’ve got Ray Allen as a 2 guard. That’s what’s holding him back.”

Allen, averaging 23.9 points, had six points, three assists and one rebound when he came out for good with 2:12 remaining in the opening period. There was no immediate word as to the severity of his injury, and Allen wasn’t available after the game. X-rays were negative.

“When we came into the locker room, he was here to greet us,” teammate Antonio Daniels said. “I asked him how he was doing. He said, ‘All right.’ “

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points, scoring 16 in the final 8 1/2 minutes. Caron Butler added 29 points and Chucky Atkins had 12.

The loss was the fifth straight for the Lakers – their longest losing streak since they finished the 1993-94 season with 10 straight losses.

That was the last time the Lakers (32-34) failed to qualify for the playoffs, and they’re in danger of falling short this season, trailing the Denver Nuggets by 3 1/2 games in the battle for the eighth and final Western Conference berth.

The win was the fourth in five games for the Northwest Division-leading Sonics (45-20). Seattle also played without starting center Jerome James (bruised right quad) and inside reserve Danny Fortson (sprained left ankle).

“The strength of this team all year has been the depth,” Daniels said. “Everybody can play.”

Daniels added 13 points, Vitaly Potapenko scored a season-high 11, and Luke Ridnour had 11 points and seven assists for the Sonics.

Sonics coach Nate McMillan said he hopes James and Fortson will be able to play Tuesday night against Milwaukee.