Sonics' Lewis out for up to 2 months

Perhaps the Sonics are snakebitten. Those are coach Bob Hill's words.

How else to describe the latest haymaker to the chin, which has the team reeling and searching for answers after Rashard Lewis underwent surgery Friday to repair a strained sheath surrounding a tendon on his right hand.

Throughout his eight-year NBA career, Lewis, 27, had never missed more than 11 games in a season. This time, however, the Sonics' second-leading scorer is expected to miss 25 games, with a possible return Feb. 20.

Lewis rushed out of the Sonics' practice facility while the team was still on the court and declined to comment.

The eight-week projection is considered a worst-case scenario. There's a slight chance Lewis could return sooner.

After Friday's surgery, which was performed by Dr. Carleton Keck, Lewis will rest his hand for at least six weeks.

The projected eight-week absence, which would be the longest in his career, ends any chances of Lewis participating in the Feb. 18 All-Star Game.

Statistically, the one-time All-Star was in the midst of his best season. He is averaging 21.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists, all career-bests.

"He's really disappointed, but he made the decision to get the operation now, which I thought was good, and get the rehab over with," Hill said. "He's disappointed. He's having such a great year individually."

Now the attention turns to the Sonics (10-17), who are stumbling through a season-high six-game losing streak.

The team will be buoyed by the return of Ray Allen, who missed the past nine games with a bone bruise in his right foot. But Lewis' injury will force Hill to play a lineup consisting of guards Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson and Allen at small forward tonight at KeyArena against Toronto.

"My job is to just figure out what do you do next and try to get some wins," Hill said. "We've just been snakebitten all year long with injuries."

Hill's task won't be easy. The Sonics are 12-21 over the past eight years when Lewis is out of the lineup because of injury.

In 2004-05 he missed eight games because of a bruised right foot and three due to left knee tendinitis. Seattle posted a 3-8 record.

Lewis, one of two co-captains, has asked to travel with the team during his recovery, and management is considering his request.

Wednesday's defeat assured that the Sonics, who have five games left in 2006, won't reach their goal of being .500 by Jan. 1.

Sund declined to say if Lewis' injury would spur trade discussions or force the team to add a free agent.

Said Hill, "For right now, we've got to go with what we've got."

Sund also would not reveal if potential contract talks with Lewis will be affected by the injury. Lewis is eligible for a two-year, $25 million extension and he has the option to void the final two years of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

"Obviously it's a big blow, but everyone has to step up and try to win some games," Ridnour said.

Hill remained upbeat.

"With all of the distractions and injuries and everything that's happened with this team, we're three games out of the playoffs and we just lost six games in a row," he said. "We've got 50-something games left. There's a ton of basketball left."

Notes

• Hill confirmed that free-agent rookie Andreas Glyniadakis will be his starting center. The decision moves 6-foot-9 Nick Collison to the bench after starting nine games at center.

• F Danny Fortson practiced for the second straight day, and Hill said that if he were healthy, then Fortson might start at center against some teams. Though rookie Mouhamed Sene, the team's opening-night center, has made progress, Hill has not deemed him ready to start or contribute significant minutes.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com