SEATTLE, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Ray Allen scored 24 points in his season debut, leading the Seattle Supersonics to a 116-90 rout of the Phoenix Suns, who have lost eight straight on the road.
The three-time All-Star spent the first 25 games on the injured list while recovering from surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle. Allen showed few signs of rust, hitting 8-of-13 shots while handing out seven assists.
"I downplayed my return a lot because I didn't expect to be in great shape, and I was more tired than I normally am," he said. "But I stepped on the floor and I felt at home."
Rashard Lewis, Seattle's leading scorer in Allen's absence, added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Ronald Murray chipped in 17 points as Seattle returned to .500 for the first time since Dec. 12.
Joe Johnson scored 21 points and Shawn Marion added 19 and 12 rebounds for Phoenix, which has dropped nine of 11 overall.
Seattle never trailed and used a 21-6 run to build a 84-64 cushion with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter.
The SuperSonics shot a season-high 56 percent (46-of-82) while holding Phoenix to 43 percent (36-of-84). Suns guard Stephon Marbury scored 17 points but hit just 6-of-21 shots.
