COLORADO SPRINGS, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The Denver Nuggets began life without Antonio McDyess Thursday night with a 94-92 exhibition victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Nuggets learned Tuesday that McDyess, their All-Star power forward and best player, would require knee surgery and be out a minimum of three months. McDyess averaged team highs of 20.8 points and 12.1 rebounds last season, when Denver won 40 games and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
As expected, the Nuggets moved undersized center Raef LaFrentz to power forward and aging big man Kevin Willis from the bench to the starting lineup.
LaFrentz had 19 points and 11 rebounds, blocking three shots and making three three-pointers. Willis had 12 points and nine boards.
Voshon Lenard scored 16 points for the Nuggets, including a free throw that gave Denver a 94-92 lead with 3.5 seconds to go. But he missed the second, giving Seattle a chance to tie or win.
Guard Brent Barry, who led a second-half surge, inbounded to first-round pick Vladimir Radmanovic, whose jumper was blocked by Cedric Ceballos, normally a defensive liability.
Barry scored 14 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and Jamal Kendrick, an undrafted free agent who graduated from Midwestern State four years ago, scored all 13 of his in the final period.
Avery Johnson, signed as a free agent during the offseason, had 10 assists for the Nuggets, who held a 67-50 lead with 2:43 left in the third quarter.
Radmanovic, Calvin Booth and Eddie Elisma scored eight points each for the Sonics (1-1), who rested All-Star guard Gary Payton and played their other starters limited minutes.
