Sports: Westphal fired after 6-9 start

Westphal fired after 6-9 start

Compiled from Times wires

SEATTLE -- SuperSonics coach Paul Westphal was fired Monday, 15 games into a season marked by discord and losses.

Seattle was expected to be stronger with the acquisition of Patrick Ewing, but the team is 6-9. The dismissal comes days after an on-court shouting match between Westphal and guard Gary Payton during a game in Dallas.

Nate McMillan, an assistant under Westphal and well-liked by the players, was made interim coach. McMillan is a former Seattle guard.

Westphal, in his third year with the team, is the first coach to be fired this season. He was in the final year of his contract.

Four games into this season, Westphal said he would step down if the players wanted.

Westphal had a 76-71 record with the Sonics.

Seattle failed to make the playoffs in the lockout-shortened 1998-98 season. They lost in the first round to Utah last season.

In 1993, Westphal coached Phoenix to the Finals. Three years later, after 33 games that season, he was fired.

KINGS: Assistant coach Pete Carril will have heart bypass surgery today.

KNICKS: Guard Charlie Ward was put on the injured list after he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The team also claimed guard Rick Brunson off waivers and released center Jonathan Kerner. RAPTORS: Vince Carter, the league's No. 2 scorer, will miss at least two games because of an injured tendon in his left knee. He was hurt during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Bulls and did not return. "It's just sore," said Carter, moving with a noticeable limp. Carter, who is averaging 27.5 points a game, shot an air ball on a fadeaway jumper. He felt a twitch and landed awkwardly 3:09 into the game.

ROCKETS: Forward Jason Collier will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and will be sidelined 3-4 weeks.

SUNS: Penny Hardaway believes he is ready for full-scale rehabilitation work after knee surgery and hopes to be playing in 3-4 weeks. Hardaway had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Saturday. He had a first operation in May, but he couldn't rehab because of pain.