Karl gets 800, as Iverson's 44 singes Sonics

DENVER — With the Sonics playing without their top two scorers, this milestone win for George Karl had to be a little more expected than the first.

Karl entered his pro career winless in nine games, anticipating a 10th loss when his Cleveland Cavaliers faced a Dominique Wilkins-led Atlanta team. Instead the Cavs won, much like his current Denver Nuggets dispatched injury-plagued Seattle for a 112-98 win at the Pepsi Center before an announced crowd of 17,400 on a snowy Thursday night.

Guard Allen Iverson led the way, scoring a game-high 44 points with 10 assists for his third consecutive double-double since being traded to Denver. He happily presented Karl with a Nuggets jersey displaying the number 800, which the coach immediately put on over his green dress shirt.

Once forward Chris Wilcox was ejected from the game with 18.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Sonics had little chance of spoiling Karl's momentous night. Wilcox seemingly collided with teammate Damien Wilkins, who was popped in the mouth. As the two spoke with each other, the technical was called. Guard Earl Watson said he asked the officials for an explanation, but received none.

"I don't know what he [Chris] said, but I know he was talking to me," said Wilkins, who started in place of Ray Allen (absent because of child's birth) and led the Sonics with a career-high-tying 26 points and five steals.

Added coach Bob Hill: "Weezy needs to understand that when you've got a technical, you don't get another and get thrown out of the game, which left us with nine players. We had to revert to double-teaming [Iverson], and he just had his way with us."

Nuggets guard Earl Boykins hit a three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to give Denver an 85-76 lead, which was enough of a cushion to pull out the win. He finished with 24 points off the bench and has combined with Iverson to average 57.0 in their past three games together, posting a 2-1 record.

"I remember when I first started I thought 250 [wins] would be great," said Karl, who reached that plateau in Seattle, where he was 384-150 in 6 ½ seasons with the Sonics. "I thought 250 and you'd retire into a college job and coach into the sunset. But I survived and I still don't understand why [former Sonics general manager] Bob Whitsitt came to Madrid and picked me up to go to Seattle. Since then it's been pretty good."

Karl is the 12th coach in NBA history to win at least 800 games. His path to 800 was sprinkled with a trip to the NBA Finals, spats with players, and many colorful moments — including his departure from Seattle following the 1997 season. The Sonics went 61-21, won their third consecutive division title and recorded 55 or more wins for the sixth consecutive season. However, the organization announced Karl's contract would not be renewed.

"The saddest moment was realizing that you've given 6-½ years and how you take 55 wins a year and turn it into bad," said Karl of his strained relationship with former Sonics president Wally Walker. "It's really bad for sport. As coaches, I think we admire and respect excellence as much as we admire championships. But the fans and the media totally and completely look at championships more than they look at excellence."

Feeling time is running out on his illustrious career, Karl wants to win a title with the Nuggets. He feels the addition of Iverson coupled with Carmelo Anthony — serving a 15-game suspension for his role in the New York-Denver brawl — represents his best chance to do so since advancing to the Finals with the Sonics in 1996.

The current Sonics were without Rashard Lewis (right hand) and Danny Fortson (left knee) on Thursday due to injuries. Rookie Mickael Gelabale left the game at halftime with an upper back strain, barely able to get off the training table after being evaluated. He is a game-time decision tonight.

Seattle (12-18) attempted to depart for tonight's game in Minneapolis following the loss, their first after two wins at home in Seattle. The Nuggets (16-10), who also have a game tonight in Oklahoma City, kept in contact with Denver International Airport throughout the game it told the teams they could use the same runway as cargo planes.

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