Despite injuries which left the roster depleted and forced coach Nate McMillan to use deep reserves Shammond Williams and Olumide Oyedeji heavily, the Sonics were able to summon perhaps their defensive effort of the season through 45 minutes, matching the Spurs stop for stop -- not shot for shot -- to hold a lead throughout the previous six minutes before San Antonio sharpshooter Steve Smith, the NBA's leading three-point marksman, dropped in a dove from the left baseline to tie the game at 74 apiece.

Though Seattle is used to higher-scoring games, they adapted quickly to the defensive battle where each possession achieved increased importance. After a turnover, the Sonics got a huge defensive play from shotblocker Jerome James, who cleaned up messes throughout his 15 strong minutes. San Antonio used screens to create a mismatch of 6-11 forward Vin Baker defending rookie point guard Tony Parker, who drove the lane. James was there to alter the shot, which came up short and nestled safely into James' enormous paws. Brent Barry, looking to atone for his misplay a second ago, ran out on a breakaway before being fouled.

He would make the second of two free throws to temporarily give the Sonics a one-point lead with ninety seconds to play. The Spurs also found the easiest way to score, with no defense, as David Robinson was fouled in the lane after slamming a dunk attempt into the rim, blocking himself. The veteran San Antonio star was true with both his attempts, but returned the favor on the other end when he fouled Baker after an offensive rebound. Baker's make on the first shot tied the game at 76, but he missed the second, keeping the game tied with under a minute to play.

With San Antonio looking to reclaim the lead, the Sonics really clamped down defensively, forcing Smith into a desperation 30-footer with the shot clock running down that was lucky to draw iron, falling harmlessly into the lap of Barry. With just under a three second differential between shot clock and game clock, the Sonics at first gave the impression that they might run a play, but, upon advancing the ball past halfcourt, took a timeout.

McMillan sent out his best shooting lineup, replacing James with Shammond Williams and Baker with Peja Drobnjak, joining Payton, Barry, and Desmond Mason on the floor. San Antonio head man Gregg Popovich took one look at the lineup and called a twenty-second timeout, wishing to change his defensive strategy and match up by inserting reserve guard Antonio Daniels for Robinson.

After Barry had an arduous time inbounding the ball, the Sonics at last got it to the man whose hands they wanted the outcome of the game to rest in, Payton. Acting on McMillan's cue, Payton dribbled the ball at the top of the key while Drobnjak slid to his left, about 20 feet from the basket. Respecting Drobnjak's shooting ability, his defender, Tim Duncan, followed him out to the perimeter. That was exactly what the Sonics wanted and just what Payton needed. Instead of following towards the pick, he suddenly reversed course and darted to his right, beating Bowen, a noted defensive stopper, and barreling towards the hoop. Duncan, who had bit on the fake, was a step slow in recovering to the ball and Payton was able to send up a banker off glass and in from five feet out with six seconds left as the Spurs called time out and a sold out KeyArena exploded into a pandemonium.

However, a two-point lead hardly sealed the game, and Seattle would need another defensive stop. San Antonio got the ball to Duncan, who had a good look at a 20-footer from the top of the key with Baker running at him. It was off the front rim, and James was there to recover and be fouled with 1.8 seconds left. He made the first of two free throws, forcing the Spurs to try to get a three after a pair of timeouts. Sonics guard Randy Livingston knocked out of bounds a crosscourt pass intended for Smith, cutting the time to 0.5 seconds. Smith received the pass, but could not get off a shot as the referees waived off his attempt as after the buzzer, allowing the Sonics to hold on for a remarkable and improbable 79-76 victory.

Though it was Payton who would receive a hero's welcome first before the game, when McMillan presented him a plaque for surpassing 2,000 career steals on Monday night during the Sonics' victory over Utah, and then after it for his game-winner, any number of Seattle players were critical to the victory, including three off the bench.

Baker, who has contributed off the bench since returning from injury, had clearly his best game in that span, providing solid defense on Duncan, including three steals, and scoring when needed, making four of seven shots for nine points.

Although Williams struggled to run the Seattle offense, his over-dribbling leading to a pair of 24 second shot-clock violations, he was critical offensively in the early fourth quarter. Williams pulled up and scored jumpers on three straight possessions for a personal 7-2 run that put the Sonics ahead for good.

Little-used reserve big man Olumide Oyedeji got the most playing time he has seen all season, and responded both on the glass (six rebounds in 15 minutes), but also on defense, harassing Malik Rose into a pair of fourth quarter offensive fouls. Oyedeji also managed four points on putbacks.

James did not start, but fought back from a slump with a vengeance, having a monster game against the twin towers. James patrolled the lane, blocking two shots, controlled the boards (six in 15 minutes), and was also a force offensively, scoring 11 points, including three ferocious and thunderous slam dunks. Only foul trouble kept him from contributing more, but James was in the game when it counted, helping the Sonics' defense down the stretch.

But in the end, why talk about anyone else but Payton? On Monday, the Seattle superstar aggravated a chronic back problem in a fall against Utah. Despite rumors that he would not play on Wednesday, Payton still scored 32 points in leading the Sonics to a win. At first glance, Payton's 19 points on 9 of 22 shooting appears to be an off-night. However, when you consider that he was opposed by Bowen, considered by many the best man defender in the NBA, and his injury status, Payton's offensive output was remarkable before even considering his eight assists.

In the early going, though, it was rough for Payton, who missed his first five shots, and the Sonics. They built an early 10-4 lead, but after James was forced out with two fouls, it was almost six minutes before Seattle scored another basket, going down 20-11. They had a run of their own, however, a 16-2 one that saw the Spurs go nearly eight and a half minutes without a field goal. The teams then largely traded scores, going to the half tied at 38.

In the third quarter, Payton finally got off, scoring three straight times downcourt before being called for a taunting technical foul. The momentum-changing t allowed San Antonio to post a 12-4 run to close the quarter and go to the fourth with a four point lead. It would not be enough.

Box Score