Radmanovic Practices, Expects to Play Saturday
RELATED CONTENT
Sonics Playoff Homepage
Sonics-Kings By The Numbers
Sonics News Archive
Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | Apr. 21, 2005
For the first time in over a month, Seattle SuperSonics forward Vladimir Radmanovic joined his teammates on the floor for Thursday's practice.

Radmanovic missed the final 19 games of the regular season after being placed on the injured list March 18 with a stress fracture of his right fibula. Expected to miss four to six weeks, Radmanovic spent two weeks in a cast and two more wearing a walking boot before being cleared to walk normally last Thursday. Earlier this week, Radmanovic began running normally, and he was able to take part as the Sonics worked on their offense in the first of two practices in preparation for Saturday's Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Sacramento Kings (7:30 p.m., FSN, ).


"I'm happy to be back on the court. That's the most important thing right now."
Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty
"He went through an entire practice," said Sonics Coach Nate McMillan. "We did some running for about 45 minutes. Nothing live, just 5-on-0 offense and reviewing the offense today. He was able to go an entire practice."

Radmanovic told reporters he expects to play in Game 1.

"My leg was in the same position for four weeks, so my ankle is totally stiff," said Radmanovic. "I have to work on it, get it loose, get the movement back, strengthen it, so there's still a couple of things I have to work on, but I'm happy to be back on the court. That's the most important thing right now, to be here with all these guys and get ready for the playoffs."

"I haven't been told that," said a more cautious McMillan. "I've been told it's a game-time decision. I think you've got to see how he feels tomorrow, how that recovery is. I'm sure he'll do more running tomorrow, maybe some 1-on-1 or 2-on-2, and see how he feels on gameday. I don't think anyone can say he'll be ready on Saturday."

Radmanovic was in good spirits after practice, jokingly correcting a reporter who asked him about playing tomorrow instead of Saturday. Confronted about the headband he was wearing over his now-shaggy hair, Radmanovic said, "I guess I'm going to have to braid my hair. I'll have a new look."

"I've been out for five weeks, so things are not the same right now," said Radmanovic. "Hopefully, with those two practices I have in and the three days in between Game 1 and Game 2, I'll try to get my rhythm back and help the team."

All-Star forward Rashard Lewis watched practice from the sidelines, a move McMillan said was designed to give him as much rest as possible before Game 1. He will sit out tomorrow again, and is listed as a game-time decision Saturday, though he is expected to play.

  • Playoff rosters were set Thursday afternoon. Guard Mateen Cleaves and rookie center Robert Swift are inactive for the postseason. Teams are not allowed to make changes to the roster between rounds.