Player of the game: Ryan Bowen had little flash to his game, but his hustle and smart play spurred Denver to an amazing comeback. Bowen finished with 18 points (on 7-for-12 shooting) and 12 rebounds, four offensive.

Top reserve: Zendon Hamilton performed like a player with a one-year contract who wants to return next season. And the Nuggets' center, who is making the league minimum, used his hustle and scrappiness for maximum results: 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Key to the game: The Sonics didn't take advantage of Denver's lackadaisical play in the first half. Seattle's biggest lead was 13 points. And the Nuggets played inspired offense in the third quarter, scoring 36 points for a stunning turnaround.

Next: Tonight, 7, against the Nuggets at KeyArena.

Desmond Mason had one of the worst offensive games of his NBA career against the Jazz on Thursday. So what did Nate McMillan do before last night's game against the Nuggets?

The Sonics' coach named Mason a starter until further notice.

"Maybe I'm bored," McMillan explained with a wry smile. "I just wanted to make a change."

The decision means that 6-foot-9 center Art Long comes off the bench. With Mason playing small forward, Vin Baker switches to center while Rashard Lewis shifts to power forward.

Going smaller might seem like anathema for one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA. But as McMillan said: "How much worse can we get?"

Long is one of the biggest surprises of the season because of his contributions with tenacious defense and rebounding. And McMillan didn't rule out putting Long back in the starting lineup later on.

"It's not punishment to him," McMillan said.

Mason's offense hasn't been quite the same since bruising his right knee more than a month ago. Nonetheless, the 6-5 swingman is the type of player who can contribute even when he isn't scoring.

"Obviously, I haven't been shooting the ball well," Mason said. "But the shot is going to start falling. I'm going to go out and do the same thing I've been doing the last few games, with defense and energy."

Payton bobblehead night

The first 10,000 fans to enter KeyArena today will receive Gary Payton bobblehead dolls. Lines will be permitted to form outside KeyArena starting at 2 p.m., and fans are encouraged to come early. The dolls will be distributed at four KeyArena entrances, including the east, west, southeast upper and northwest upper doors.

All Nuggets, all the time

The Sonics are in the midst of one of their toughest stretches of the season. And playing the Nuggets home and away within 24 hours is a rare scheduling occurrence.

"It's important that you get this first game," McMillan said before the game. "It puts all the pressure on the team that lost the game."

Denver hasn't won a road game since defeating the Sonics on Nov. 12. But McMillan prefers not to play the Nuggets tonight after having faced them last night.

"We basically can take the flight (to Seattle) together if we needed to," McMillan said. "I would much rather see a different team."

Note

? Brent Barry's father, Rick Barry ? who lives in Colorado Springs ? attended last night's game.