Sonics' Allen to miss tonight's contest

DENVER — The Sonics will be without both of their star players tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

Guard Ray Allen, the team's leading scorer (25.2), stayed in Seattle Wednesday to be present for the birth of his third child.

Allen's fiancée was due to give birth to the couple's second boy on Monday. Doctors were contemplating a Caesarean section while trying to induce labor naturally on Wednesday.

Allen, who has already missed nine games this month due to a bruised bone in his right foot, told The Times, "Family is my first priority. It's the most important thing and I'm going to be there for that."

Depending on when the baby is born, Allen could join the team for the second of back-to-back games, Friday in Minnesota, traveling on his own. Damien Wilkins will start in Allen's place tonight.

Sonics forward Rashard Lewis traveled with the team, but is wearing a heavy cast around the strained tendon sheath in his right hand. He is expected to miss 25 games, putting his return after the February All-Star Game.

And Danny Fortson, who started at center Tuesday in the Sonics' victory over New Orleans, will not make the trip because of a sore left knee. Fortson had played in the past two games, after missing the previous 18 games.