Collison sparks Sonics in win over Clippers

Nick Collison, playing for the first time since breaking his nose four games ago, had season highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds and the Sonics methodically deconstructed the injury-riddled Los Angeles Clippers and hung on to a 95-88 win Wednesday at KeyArena for their first victory against a Western Conference opponent.

"I felt good. I felt fresh," Collison said. "You never want to be hurt, but I actually think some rest might have helped me. I had a lot more energy."

Rookie Kevin Durant also scored 18 points to lead five players in double figures. Damien Wilkins and Wally Szczerbiak each had 17.

Without three starters, Los Angeles (6-11) lost for the seventh straight game. The Clippers were missing forward Elton Brand (left Achilles tendon surgery) and guards Sam Cassell (strained left calf) and Shaun Livingston (dislocated left knee).

The Sonics didn't have a full complement of players, but that didn't slow them down. Guard Delonte West sat out his first game of the season because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

His absence forced Earl Watson into the starting lineup and seldom-used swingman Mickael Gelabale logged 11 minutes at point guard. Gelabale failed to score, but Watson (10 points and six assists) was solid as he directed the offense.

Still, Collison was the star of the night for the Sonics, who improved to 4-15 in front of 10,961, which was the second-smallest crowd of the season.

Playing with a protective facemask, Collison entered the game with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter and lost the ball on a turnover. Less than a minute later, Collison scored on a short jumper and added two midrange jumpers to end the quarter.

"I've been shooting with it [the mask] the last two or three days," said Collison, who also wore a mask during the 2005-06 season. "I wasn't freaking out like [before]. Two years ago, it took me a little while [to get adjusted]. It really bothered me at first, but this time it didn't really bother me."

Collison's work on the glass helped Seattle to a 49-39 rebound advantage and kept the Clippers out of the lane. Los Angeles had just 26 points in the paint, while Seattle had 32.

"He helps the guards out a lot on the times when we get beat because he's always right there," Wilkins said. "He rebounds the ball well. He gets great position and he helps us spread the floor because he can shoot that jumper. We rely so much on his presence.

"He's just in position to alter shots. A lot of times that's almost just as important as getting the block."

Collison patrolled the middle and kept Tim Thomas (seven points) and Al Thornton (six points) under wraps. Collison allowed the Sonics to absorb a four-point performance from Chris Wilcox and a five-point outing from Kurt Thomas.

"Offensively he scored, made good decisions and made some passes also," Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Defensively he was really good and rebounding. He played as good as you can play. He's fresh. There's something to that. ... He was bouncy. He hadn't played in a long time, and he was good. And a subtle thing, having played with the mask a couple of years ago or whenever it was, he was a lot more comfortable with the mask than you would expect somebody to be in their first game.

"We needed him and we needed Wally [Szczerbiak] tonight for sure or it would have been a much closer game. Those two guys along with Gelly [Gelabale] I thought gave us great play off the bench."

Corey Maggette finished with 23 points for the Clippers. Center Chris Kaman added 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Seattle scored 25 in the second quarter to carry a 43-35 lead into halftime. The Sonics led 73-61 after three quarters and salted away their second home victory.

"You always miss it when you're out for a little bit," Collison said. "I was ready to go. Just excited to play."

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