Fortson suspended for refusing to enter game

SEATTLE — The Seattle SuperSonics suspended Danny Fortson for their game against Washington Sunday night, two days after he refused to re-enter a game against the New York Knicks.

Although the suspension was for one game, Fortson will not accompany the Sonics on their two-game road trip to Memphis and San Antonio next week because he’s recovering from a sprained left ankle.

General manager Rick Sund said Fortson told coach Nate McMillan he couldn’t play in the second half of the Knicks’ game, which the Sonics won 109-101 in overtime, because he wasn’t ready.

Sund said he met with Fortson and informed him of the suspension.

“I told him we couldn’t have that,” Sund said of Fortson’s refusal to go into a game when McMillan wanted him to do so.

Fortson, acquired in a trade with Dallas during the offseason for center Calvin Booth, is averaging 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 17.3 minutes in 54 games.