Brad Miller tucked his hands into his jacket pockets, hiding the bandages of what best can be described as his Greg Ostertag moment.
Miller needed nine stitches in his right index finger after slicing it with a knife while doing dishes Sunday. He is questionable for Wednesday's game against Seattle as the Kings look to extend their season-high four-game winning streak.
The 7-foot center did not practice Monday, the same day he was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the second time in his career. Former Kings forward Hedo Turkoglu of Orlando was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
"It's the last time I help do dishes," Miller said.
He might also want to make sure there isn't a footstool next to his bed. Ostertag, as a member of the Kings, broke his right hand in 2004 tripping on one while getting out of bed.
"It's not as bad as Ostertag, but I'd put it in the same category," Miller said of his injury.
He said he is optimistic about playing Wednesday, which would be advantageous to the Kings, considering Miller's recent contributions.
"We need 20 (points), 20 (rebounds)," Francisco García said. "He can't give us no 20-15. It's got to be 20-20 now for us to be happy with him. He's capable of doing it. He's playing great now."
Miller is averaging 22 points and 18.3 rebounds in the past three games, in that span becoming the first Sacramento King with two 20-point, 20-rebound games.
He also has averaged 2.0 blocks and 1.6 steals in the past three games at Arco Arena, and has shot .488 from the field. In Wednesday's win over Charlotte, Miller recorded a career-high 21 rebounds, 18 on the defensive end, for a Sacramento-era Kings single-game record.
Given his recent performances, it's no wonder why his teammates were worried to see Miller's finger in bandages Monday morning.
"When I saw him, it was all wrapped up," Mikki Moore said. "So, I said, 'You're going to drop 20 and 20 in two games and then go and cut your knuckle off?' I said, 'That's real smart, Brad.' He said, 'Nah, that's my luck.' "
Lately, though, it appeared the Kings' fortune had changed as injured players returned to the roster. The Kings are 5-1 since debuting their starting lineup of Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Miller, Moore and Ron Artest. Miller said the unspoken cohesiveness of that unit hasn't needed much tinkering.
"There is a confidence and experience out there," Miller said. "There are a lot of non-communication things that go on out there, simple things that you learn."
But while the team is winning, not every player is contributing as they are accustomed. García's minutes and productivity have dropped; in the past five games, he has averaged 15.2 minutes and four points, having scored one point in the last three games on 0-for-9 shooting.
"It's a tough stretch for me, but we're winning," García said. "If we were losing, I'd feel even worse. But we are winning. It's tough for me, but I'm going to get it back. As a shooter, sometimes the shots go down, sometimes they don't."
Bibby and John Salmons also have struggled offensively, but overall, coach Reggie Theus said he's happy with how things are going.
"We've hit a rhythm and a way to play that has been good for us," Theus said. "I think everyone is understanding or getting a better understanding of what their roles are. Hopefully, we can stay focused on the way we are winning and why we are playing well."
Which might require someone else to do Miller's dirty dishes.
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
