Larry Hughes' frustrations over his role off the bench and the direction of the Warriors boiled over Tuesday night in Seattle when the fourth-year guard was benched in a 110-93 loss to the SuperSonics.

After complaining of his dwindling minutes, Hughes, a starter for 56 games, was listed as "Did Not Play-Coach's Decision" as the team took its seventh consecutive loss. Asked yesterday if he had done anything to warrant his DNP status, Hughes conceded he had exchanged words with coach Brian Winters before the Sonics game. "It was a coaching decision that was made," said Hughes, who lost his starting job at the point to rookie Gilbert Arenas earlier this month.