Notebook | Ridnour did his research while out with injury

NEW ORLEANS — Sonics point guard Luke Ridnour said he has been watching his teammates closely and knows their habits well. He should, considering he has had since Nov. 13 to study their every move.

So when Ridnour returned to play after missing the past 12 games with a partially torn left quadriceps, it was little surprise he was able to run the team, helping the Sonics dig out of an early hole in the first half.

Ridnour entered the game with 2:21 remaining in the opening quarter and Seattle down 23-13 to New Orleans. By the end of Ridnour's stint in the quarter, with a little offensive help from teammate Wally Szczerbiak, the team was able to pull closer.

"It felt good just to get out there and play," Ridnour said. "I've still got some soreness, but just to be able to test it felt good."

Ridnour played 12 minutes and finished with three points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field and one steal. He'll see how the quad responds today to determine whether he's ready for the back-to-back set against Chicago and New York on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Hopefully it'll be good in the morning," he said. "I definitely have some soreness, but that's to be expected."

West returning?

Sonics guard Delonte West sat with his right foot in a bucket of ice before the New Orleans game; he hadn't attempted to practice since Thursday. But the Boston trade acquisition said he should be ready to play against the Bulls after missing the past three games because of plantar fasciitis.

"This is the first time I've ever heard of it," said West, who had the injury X-rayed and the results showed no tears. "I thought it was something up under the toes, but I know now. There are points in the day where the pain has been real strong but calmed down. Lately it has kind of been the same, so I think it's getting better."

All stitched up

The Sonics' 91-88 loss to New Orleans can be pegged on many things. One should be the loss of center Kurt Thomas with 6:32 remaining.

Thomas was 6 for 8 from the field in the third quarter for 12 points to help the Sonics tie the score. In the fourth, he picked up a steal and dished it ahead to Szczerbiak for a layin that tied the score again at 75. Then he reached in on a play, suffering a cut inside his upper lip. It needed three stitches and the remainder of the game to fix.

Thomas (10 rebounds) and Chris Wilcox (13 points and 12 boards) had double-doubles, and Nick Collison had 12 rebounds.