Lewis is resting to help treat his plantar fasciitis. Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty

In the cases of Allen and Murray, their returns are only a matter of time. Lewis' injury, plantar fasciitis, is cause for more worry.

"It is a concern," Sonics Coach Nate McMillan said after working one-on-one with Vladimir Radmanovic following practice, as he did a couple of times last week. "This team definitely needs to be healthy. It's really hard to move forward when you have three of your key guys sitting on the sidelines. Today, it was Rashard, Ronald and Ray. We had things we wanted to work on, but we have to be slow about what we're doing because of the injuries."

Speaking at length with reporters about his condition for the first time, Lewis said he first began experiencing pain in his left foot while working out over the summer. After warming up, however, Lewis was able to continue running and working out, and the foot wasn't a problem during training camp.

During Wednesday's preseason game at Portland, however, Lewis came down on the foot poorly and had it flare up on him.

"It was hurting real bad," Lewis said. "I told (Trainer) Mike (Shimensky) right after the game that it was hurting. We iced it down. I came back the next day, and it was sore to the point where I couldn't walk except on my tiptoes, couldn't put pressure on my heel, and when I got out here to warm up, I was limping real bad, so he told me to sit out. I went to the doctor after practice was over, and he said it was plantar fasciitis."

Since the diagnosis, Lewis has sat out of practice as well as the Sonics last two preseason games. Rest is the primary remedy for plantar fasciitis, though Lewis is also continuing to apply ice and rubbing the affected area (his arch) with a ball to break up scar tissue.

That treatment, along with custom-made orthotics Lewis had made to place in his shoe and give his arch added support, have helped, but Lewis remains bothered by his foot.

"It's still sore at the bottom," Lewis said. "It's limited me some in my movement. I think the main thing right now is Mike doesn't want me to re-injure it, because then I have to start all over."

That's why the best news is that Lewis was able to detect the injury and begin treating it early, during preseason. Guard Mateen Cleaves, whose battle with plantar fasciitis forced him to undergo non-invasive surgery, noted that his condition was much worse when he began undergoing treatment, to the point where the pain kept him from being able to walk. Cleaves called it "one of the worst injuries" he's had in his career and advised Lewis to be cautious about returning to action.

Lewis wants to play to get himself ready for the season, but, because it is only the preseason, he feels comfortable sitting out.

"I think my main goal is, I really want to play in a couple more preseason games just to get my rhythm and work on my game, because I think the pace of an NBA game is so different from a practice," Lewis said. "I want, most definitely, to be ready for the first game of the season. I think, regardless whether I'm injured or not, I'm going to play the first game of the season, but my main focus right now is trying to get back to a couple of preseason games, because I think the pace is so much different than in here practicing and working out on your own.

"I'd rather be sitting out now than being out 10, 15, 20 games during the season."

McMillan said he wouldn't have a problem with Lewis missing the remainder of the exhibition season.

"It wouldn't be a problem," McMillan said. "Of course we want to win, but the preseason, it's an opportunity for Vlade to get some time. I think my main concern is getting as healthy as possible."

"Once we tip it up against the Clippers down in L.A., that's when I want him ready," added Allen.

While Radmanovic is second on the Sonics in scoring this preseason at 10.8 points per game and tied for the team lead with 22 rebounds, filling Lewis' role as a primary option on offense has been a learning experience. Radmanovic has done a good job of getting to the free-throw line, attempting 16 foul shots, and has committed just two turnovers in 119 minutes, but he is shooting only 13-for-45 from the field (28.9%)

Allen has been easily the Sonics top offensive threat during the preseason, averaging 24.0 points per game, more than twice as many as any other Sonics player. Strangely, Allen felt he might have injured himself by sitting out too much in Sunday's game in Spokane against the Utah Jazz, saying his back tightened up when he was on the bench. The issue isn't serious, however, and McMillan said he expected Allen back on the court tomorrow.

Murray continues to work his way back from a strained left quad, though, as with Lewis, there is little urgency. Murray practiced some this morning and is expected to join the Sonics on their three-game preseason road trip this weekend, though whether he takes the court remains to be seen.