PLAYER OF THE GAME: Will Gary Payton still have it at age 38? The Sonics guard certainly does now. He had 32 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds, including three of four three-pointers and seven of eight free throws.

TOP RESERVE: Sonics forward Art Long made the most of his 26 minutes, with a career-high 10 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and a block. Yes, Long committed five fouls but while playing aggressive defense.

KEY TO THE GAME: The Sonics contained Michael Jordan, the Wizards' best player, with suffocating defense by Desmond Mason and Gary Payton, who had plenty of help from teammates. Jordan missed 21 of 26 shots; Washington shot 37.2 percent.

DUNK OF THE GAME: On a three-on-one fastbreak, Brent Barry took a bounce pass from Payton, then flew for a gliding, one-handed dunk on Tyrone Nesby's cranium.

Via

Oklahoma City, Washington Wizards

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