Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said he will start Kurt Thomas tonight at center, mainly so he can play him a little over 20 minutes, with a planned six-minute stint in each quarter.

Carlesimo also wants to match Thomas up against Duncan at the beginning of the game.

Chris Wilcox (sprained left ankle) also should go tonight, and Johan Petro (lower back strain) feels much better today and could play. Robert Swift (right knee tendinitis) and Luke Ridnour (partially torn left quad) are out.

Carlesimo said hello to several San Antonio players during pregame warm-ups, including ex-Sonic Brent Barry.

Barry had this to say about Carlesimo getting another head coaching opportunity:

"I think having this head coaching opportunity is a bit of a reprieve for him," Barry said. "After the things that happened to him in the past -- obviously the incident in Golden State and that not always being tagged with P.J.

"It’s nice for him to sort of be free of that, and have another opportunity to teach and help some young players grow because P.J. has a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience in this game. And we’re really happy for him."

And on the Sonics possible relocation to Oklahoma City, Barry said:

"I’m with everybody else," Barry said. "I think it’s tragic that this team and this franchise would move out of the Emerald City, knowing it’s history and the type of support they have here for so many years.

"A lot of the guys say it’s one of their favorite stops on the road, to come up to the Northwest and enjoy the city and the downtown area. And I just think it would be a shame if there wasn’t a franchise here. But it sounds like things are moving in the opposite direction, and who knows at the 12th hour is someone is going to come knocking and save this thing. But I hope for the city’s sake and the fan’s sake that they stay here."

Listen to the full conversation with Brent Barry here.