The final buzzer finally sounded after having teased the fans, first in regulation, then in overtime. And after 58 minutes of grueling basketball, the Sonics seemed too exhausted to celebrate and congratulate each other after a stirring 123-119 victory in double overtime last night against the Orlando Magic.
The Sonics' players and coaches trudged toward the locker room with pained expressions of joy. Brent Barry rushed to catch up with Rashard Lewis before putting his right hand around him for a hug.

"They're going to be exhausted," said Coach Nate McMillan, whose team plays the Heat tonight in Miami. "It was a draining game. I was just telling the coaches that I was tired. We'll enjoy this for a few hours, fly to Miami and get ready for that game."

No Sonic deserved a good night's sleep more than the 22-year-old Lewis, whose career night of 36 points and 19 rebounds was barely good enough to eke out last night's victory.

During training camp, the Sonics named Lewis a co-captain, and gave him an expanded role in the offense. Lewis' performance last night was all the more impressive because it came against Orlando and Tracy McGrady, who emerged last season as one of the league's best players.