For about three hours, Ray Allen thought he might be missing much more than two weeks.

The Seattle SuperSonics' leading scorer will be out at least the next seven games because of a bruised talus bone in his right ankle, beginning with Friday night's game against New Orleans.

But when Dr. Richard Zorn first looked at the MRI of Allen's foot Thursday morning, it appeared that surgery would be the first option.

``I started counting the weeks and months of time off,'' Allen said of his reaction. ``Sitting down is not fun.''

But surgery won't be taking place, at least not yet for the six-time all-star. Allen will remain in Seattle and get treatment on his foot and ankle while the Sonics' embark on a five-game road trip. Allen's been ordered to avoid any weight-bearing exercises on the foot, but will not be placed in a protective boot and will be able to do work in a pool.

He's next scheduled to see Zorn on Dec. 18.

Allen first noticed pain last Saturday during pre-game warmups at Utah. He couldn't recall any missteps a night earlier at home against Indiana, but nearly pulled himself out against the Jazz. Allen he scored a game-high 33 points through the discomfort _ including 20 in the fourth quarter of a two-point Sonics' loss.

Allen didn't play on Tuesday night in a Seattle win over Atlanta, and had the MRI on Wednesday morning. Zorn and Allen met to discuss the results on Thursday, and Zorn ordered a CT scan for Allen about three hours later. The CT scan showed the injury was just a bruise.

Allen said this is not the type of injury he could just play through.

``The MRI showed too much in the ankle and he said the CT scan showed exactly what he needed to see in the ankle,'' Allen said.

Allen has lead Seattle in scoring 11 times and his 25.3 points average is a career-high. Damien Wilkins will start in Allen's place and French rookie Mickael Gelabale will also see increased minutes, Seattle coach Bob Hill said. Hill may also play point guards Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson together in the backcourt.