Sonics' hopes are dashed at the buzzer

It felt like a victory parade for a moment in KeyArena.

Damien Wilkins celebrated his tying three-pointer with 6.1 seconds remaining, believing with nearly everyone in the arena that it was the basket to break the Sonics' monthlong losing streak.

Only it wasn't.

With seconds ticking away, Wilkins raced down the court after his shot to defend Sacramento guard Kevin Martin.

Martin dribbled into a corner and made a 14-foot jumper as the final horn sounded for a 103-101 Sacramento victory, sending Seattle to a franchise-record 14 consecutive losses.

Visibly stunned, Wilkins crumbled to the court, lying on his backside. Teammate Kurt Thomas slowly walked over to help him up and uttered a few private words.

Many of the 13,409 fans stood dumbfounded.

Sometimes Wilkins sits and thinks about how much has changed within the Sonics organization. Just three years ago, the Sonics guard helped the team win the inaugural Northwest Division championship and played the Kings in the opening round of an electric opening-round playoff series, which Seattle won in five games.

But only three active players remain from that roster and frustration mounts from losses and talks of relocation.

"I never questioned the passion for this team," Wilkins said. "It's unfortunate that our future is up in limbo, and I know they don't want us to be losing. I'm almost certain that a lot of people speculated that we wouldn't win a lot of games, but at the same time, we didn't think that way. It's good to know that they still come out and cheer and support. It's not quite as loud, but you still hear and see the same faces."

The Sonics previous record of consecutive losses was 13, over the last five games of the 2006-07 season and the opening eight of this season.

"It was just tough the way it turned out," forward Nick Collison said. "We just have to come out and try to win again the next night. We played the Spurs pretty well at home [Tuesday], we just have to try to play hard and hopefully be in it at the end to steal a win. There's not a lot you can do."

Wilkins joined rookie Kevin Durant in heartbreakers this week. Durant missed a potential game-winner against Houston on Wednesday.

Wilkins' three-pointer with 6.1 seconds remaining tied the score at 101.

The Sonics were hopeful of overtime. Martin, who scored 10 of his game-high 26 in the fourth quarter, killed that thought.

"It was a play that I had in college," said Sacramento coach Reggie Theus of the final play. The Kings had a 20-second timeout remaining, but Theus told reporters he thought he was out of timeouts. The Sonics had none left.

"With one second to go, you really only have a couple of choices," said Theus, whose team led by as many as 13 in the opening half. "The catch-and-shoot or go for the lob. We had to run that play. I know it wasn't in their scouting report. Kevin just made a phenomenal, athletic play."

Unpredictable play from the Sonics players has troubled coach P.J. Carlesimo this season. He said he has players who show proficiency at offense or defense, but not both, making it difficult to settle into a rotation. Injuries have added to the lineup problems.

Wilkins was pulled from the starting lineup Dec. 29; rookie Jeff Green took his spot. Wilkins had been in a slump and sulked about the demotion. But a meeting last week between Carlesimo and Wilkins cleared the air, and the forward's play has improved.

He re-entered Sunday's game with 10.1 seconds left and the Sonics trailing by three. Wilkins, who has shot 7 percent from three-point range this month, then hit the tying basket.

"I'm never going to completely feel comfortable," said Wilkins, who finished with nine points in 15 minutes. "But [after the talk], my spirits are a lot higher. At the same time, I still want to win and I want to be on the floor. He understands that."

On Sunday, Wilkins was there. Now he just needs the winning outcome.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com