Barry Held Out of Game Because of Back Spasms

Guard Brent Barry, who had 14 points, a season-high seven assists and three rebounds in a season-high 30 minutes in Sunday’s 106-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, sat out Tuesday’s victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies because of lower back spasms.

After undergoing physical therapy from trainer Ray Melchiorre before the game, Barry shot around during pregame warmups before deciding not to dress.

Barry, who sat out the first 14 games because of a thumb injury, was flourishing, scoring a season-high 18 points in a 106-94 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on March 16.

Coach Bill Fitch, who hesitated to use Barry earlier this season, holding him out of six games, had increased his playing time recently, inserting him into games late in the first quarter.

“Somebody else is going to have to step up tonight,” Fitch said before the game.

Barry’s absence meant more playing time for swingman Eric Piatkowski, who hadn’t played in two games, and Pooh Richardson.

Piatkowski played five minutes in the first half and Richardson played 11.

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Rookie center Lorenzen Wright, who made four of his first six shots and scored eight points in the first half, departed because of a sprained right wrist with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter. Wright returned for the start of the third quarter, however, and led the team with 24 points.