Kemp Must Sit Out First Playoff Game

The Seattle SuperSonics, trying to avoid a first-round upset for the third season in a row, will have to start without Shawn Kemp.

Kemp, the SuperSonics’ leading scorer and rebounder, was suspended Tuesday for his team’s first game in the NBA playoffs and fined $7,500, the result of a fight with Denver’s Tom Hammonds. He was also fined an automatic $1,000 for being ejected.

Kemp, who averaged 19.6 points and 11.4 rebounds during the season, will sit out the SuperSonics’ playoff game against Sacramento on Friday.

Coach George Karl said his team does not need Kemp to beat the Kings.

Hammonds also was suspended and fined $7,500 for his part in the fight. Hammonds will sit out the first game of next season, because his team didn’t make the playoffs.

Ledell Eackles of the Washington Bullets was also suspended for throwing a punch at Chicago’s James Edwards. Like Hammonds, he will sit out next season’s opener.