NBA ROUNDUP : Payton Lost to Injury as SuperSonics Win

The Seattle SuperSonics rode Shawn Kemp’s 11-point fourth quarter to a 106-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, but they lost Gary Payton in the process.

Payton left late in the third quarter after injuring his right ankle when it became stuck under the scorer’s table. X-rays revealed an avulsion fracture, meaning a ligament was pulled off his ankle with part of the bone attached.

Payton, who has sat out one game in five years, was to be examined by team doctors today after returning to Seattle.

Isaiah Rider led Minnesota with 25 points but was held scoreless in the final quarter.

Boston 129, Charlotte 124--Seldom-used David Wesley, subbing for the injured Dana Barros, tied a Celtic record with seven three-pointers and scored a career-high 37 points at Charlotte. Wesley made 10 of 14 shots, including seven of 10 from three-point range, to tie a club record held by Larry Bird and Dee Brown.

Larry Johnson had a career-high and franchise-record 44 points for the Hornets.

Orlando 95, Vancouver 93--Anfernee Hardaway’s running bank shot at the buzzer capped a 37-point performance and lifted the Magic at Orlando.

New York 94, Cleveland 84--Patrick Ewing scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks pull away from the Cavaliers at Cleveland.

Miami 103, Golden State 99--Alonzo Mourning had 27 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocked shots as the Heat overcame a 13-point deficit at Miami.

Houston 115, Philadelphia 106--Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Horry and Clyde Drexler combined for 78 points at Philadelphia as the Rockets won their sixth in a row.

Chicago 103, San Antonio 94--Michael Jordan sparked a third-quarter rally and scored 38 points to lead the Bulls at San Antonio.

Milwaukee 96, Toronto 86--Glenn Robinson scored 23 points and the Bucks made a season-high nine three-point baskets at Milwaukee.

Washington 98, Detroit 97--Calbert Chaney made a dunk with 5.8 seconds to play at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Utah 116, Sacramento 95--David Benoit scored seven of his 12 points during a third-quarter run at Salt Lake City.

Phoenix 117, Atlanta 112--Michael Finley forced a turnover, then made two free throws with 27 seconds left to seal the Suns’ victory at Phoenix.