Notebook | Allen remains in Seattle to witness birth of son

DENVER — Ray Allen should rejoin his team tonight in Minnesota.

That's if the Sonics can escape the blizzard in Denver.

Allen stayed in Seattle as his fiancée, Shannon, gave birth to their second son Wednesday afternoon. The couple named the child Walker Reese, and the proud father sent text messages to notify his coach and teammates.

"He said he looks like he's got a lot of assists in him," Sonics coach Bob Hill said of Allen's note.

Hill had to start his ninth different lineup this season because of Allen's absence and injuries to Rashard Lewis (right hand) and Danny Fortson (left knee). Hill placed rookie Andreas Glyniadakis at center and guard Damien Wilkins at small forward. Hill never considered starting Nick Collison because he has a tendency to pick up quick fouls.

"My personal opinion is if your wife is having a baby, you need to be there," said Hill of Allen, who already has missed nine games with a bone bruise in his right foot. "If there's an excuse other than death in your family, it would be the birth."

Snow days

The Sonics paid their hotel incidentals but kept their room keys, fully expecting to return following the game because of a blizzard in Denver that worsened as the evening progressed.

The Sonics and Nuggets were scheduled to depart for their respective second games of back-to-back sets tonight — Denver to Oklahoma City and Seattle to Minneapolis. Snowy conditions were predicted to last until Saturday, however, and most commercial flights were canceled until this afternoon.

Ironically, it was "Beach Night" at the Pepsi Center.

Although teams are required to be at arenas about two hours before tipoff, as long as the Sonics arrive before the game is set to start, they'll play Minnesota.

Fortson ailing

Fortson opted not to travel because he was already experiencing swelling in his left knee and was concerned what the back-to-back flights would do to his knee. Hill suggested Fortson miss the Denver game and play against Minnesota but Fortson objected to the idea.

Fortson returned to the starting lineup for the win over Toronto on Dec. 23 after missing 18 games. He averaged 4.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games.

Notes

• The trade that brought Allen Iverson to the Western Conference could mean the Sonics will not have a representative at the All-Star Game in Las Vegas on Feb. 18.

Iverson's votes now count toward the West's guard selections and he is currently third behind Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady with 975,319 votes based on second returns announced Thursday.

Allen, who could be selected by coaches as a reserve, is 10th with 182,946. Iverson and Steve Nash, who's fourth in balloting, will most likely be the coaches' selections, however.

• Lewis remained in Seattle for the team's two-game trip, but will make some trips in the future. Lewis is expected to miss 25 games.

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