Down Goes Big Bill, Up Go The Sonics

It didn't even matter that Seattle shot only 34%. With Walton away, the Sonics could fly—all over the rims. Webster collected 23 rebounds and Paul Silas replaced Sikma to add 13 more, in addition to getting off a few grizzly-bear hook shots. Johnson and Brown took care of the scoring, JJ lining in nine baskets in the second half while the normally Downtown Brown roved up and cross-town as well for 18 points of his own.

Wilkens was asked if this or any other subsequent Seattle victory would be diminished by the absence of Walton.

"Hey, Portland plays too well without him to feel like that," he said. "The thing is to get there and to win. Five years from now nobody's going to remember who played or who didn't. Just who won."

But, hey, Lenny, what about five weeks from now?