Every time the Seattle Sonics take one step forward this season, they seem to give that progress right back the next game. After a win in their home opener against San Antonio, the Sonics lost by 17 at home to Utah. After upsetting Orlando on the road, the Sonics lost three winnable games in a row. And now, a night after beating a good Dallas team on the road, the Sonics came into San Antonio flat and were waxed, losing 110-93 in a game that's one-sidedness could not be described by the final score.

The Sonics came out lifeless, and the Spurs took advantage by jumping out to a 13-2 advantage in the game's first minutes. The Sonics' small lineup was helpless against the Spurs, with Rashard Lewis particularly overmatched in the post against Spur superstar Tim Duncan, who led all players with 30 points and 13 rebounds for the game.

A Sonic timeout and subsitutions did little to slow the offensive juggernaut that was San Antonio, who abused the Sonics' matador defense to score 40 points in the first quarter, doubling up the Sonics' 20. The game was, for all intents and purposes, over as the quarter ended, but NBA regulations require all four quarters, so both teams played on.

The Sonics were little better in the second quarter, 'holding' the Spurs to 28, and the lead was extended to 24 at the half. Still, the Sonics fought in, with Gary Payton playing the entire third quarter. Finally, as the 8 minute mark of the ballgame neared, Sonic Coach Nate McMillan truly conceded, as he emptied his bench for a lineup of rookies Earl Watson and Vladimir Radmanovic, second year players Olumide Oyedeji and Art Long, and relative veteran Shammond Williams. The athletic and energetic youngsters did manage to cut into the San Antonio lead, keeping the final margin down to a somewhat-more- respectable 17.

In an off night, Payton still led the Sonics with 17 points on 8 of 16 shooting and 7 assists. Brent Barry struggled with his ballhandling, notching three turnovers, but scored 13 points. Center Calvin Booth had his second straight strong offensive night, scoring 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting, but grabbed but 1 rebound. Oyedeji led the Sonics in rebounding off the bench, with 9 in 16 minutes of garbage time. Key Sonic starters Desmond Mason and Lewis were held to a combined 14 points on 7 of 17 shooting.

Rookie Tony Parker had an off shooting night for the Spurs, but his skills were still on display as he scored 13 points, grabbed 7 boards, and handed out 7 assists. His backcourtmate, Steve Smith, also had 13, including 3 triples. David Robinson was an efficient 5 of 6 from the field for 12 points, and Malik Rose came off the bench to score 11.

Notes:
The only player not to see action in the game was Sonic reserve forward Antonio Harvey, who has tendinitis in his knee ... In addition to 9 rebounds, Oyedeji managed to squeeze 5 fouls into his brief appearence ... Oyedeji also won the Sonics' stat contest over their tv broadcasts by scoring 5 points ... Watson had a nice run with 9 points and 2 steals in 15 minutes of play ... the Sonics return home Friday to take on Houston at 7:00.

SC.com Player of the Game: It would be morally wrong to give the PoG to anyone who played significant minutes or, worse yet, started, so Olumide Oyedeji gets credit for making good on long-overdue playing time with 9 boards.