Player of the game: Rookie Vladimir Radmanovic will never forget his first NBA start. Already making an impression with a career-high 18 points, Radmanovic added a painful exclamation mark on a breakaway dunk with 3:24 remaining. With two defenders tailing him, Radmanovic had a two-handed slam, but hung on the rim too long, toppling head-first on the hardwood. He laid out on the court then rose with an embarrassed smile and two cuts on his neck.

Top reserve: Pistons guard Jon Barry had a solid game against his brother's team, although younger brother Brent got one steal against him. Jon had 12 points and three rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.

Key stat: The Sonics won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Forward Vin Baker didn't play last night because of a slight tear in his right thumb suffered in Friday's overtime victory against Golden State.

Baker, who has missed seven games this season because of injury, wore a Band-Aid over his left eyebrow as he entered KeyArena but didn't have the thumb wrapped. He said he was not going to have surgery on the thumb and would return for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Baker couldn't recall exactly how the injury happened. With the score tied at 104 in overtime, he jumped up to rebound his missed shot and was fouled.

McMillan said the 6-foot-11 forward would be day to day. McMillan hopes Baker will return Thursday, but Saturday's game against the Vince Carter-led Toronto Raptors is more likely.

"We finally got our major pieces back and we're building a rhythm," McMillan said of the injury storm the Sonics seemed to have weathered before Baker's newest ailment. "Then we lose Vin. ... But I can't coach injuries, as (Indiana Coach) Isiah (Thomas) said last week. All I can do is hope."

One player that has benefited from all of the aches and bruises is forward Art Long. Long, 30, seemed to be on the bubble during training camp and has built a valuable role in the rotation. The 6-9 Cincinnati alum is averaging 8.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in his past five games; he had a career-high 12 rebounds in a win over Orlando on Dec. 16.

"Since the day I got here there haven't been any guarantees," Long said. "If I'm going to get any further it's going to be off my work."

Long replaced Baker in the game Friday, making a free throw to give Seattle a 107-104 lead. He started in place of Baker last night, his fifth start this season.

"Art has been doing a good job for us," McMillan said. "He's been consistent with his rebounding. If he were a few inches taller he'd be unbelievable."

Familiar voice

Rick Carlisle, former Sonics color commentator, returned to KeyArena as coach of the Detroit Pistons. Carlisle wasn't in the best of moods given the Pistons' recent four-game losing streak, but he managed to mingle with a few old friends.

"I really had a great year last year," Carlisle said of his 40 broadcast appearances with Kevin Calabro. "Nate and his staff let me sit in on all the practices. He's a really good young coach and learning from him last season really helped me in preparing for this job."

After 16 seasons as an NBA player and assistant, Carlisle is in his first season as a coach.