1980–81 Kansas City Kings season

The 1980–81 NBA season was the Kings 32nd season in the NBA and their ninth season in the city of Kansas City. The Kansas City Kings made the playoffs with a 40–42 win-loss record and appeared in the Western Conference finals where they lost to the also 40–42 Houston Rockets. This is the only time two NBA teams with losing records have made it to the conference finals.

Season standings
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * Utah
 * W 98–91
 * Kemper Arena
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * 8:05p.m. CDT
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 100–109
 * Birdsong (19)
 * King (8)
 * Ford (5)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,131
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 7:35p.m. CDT
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 103–109
 * Birdsong (33)
 * King (9)
 * Ford (8)
 * HemisFair Arena 9,876
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * Los Angeles
 * L 107–112 (OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * @ Dallas
 * W 103–91
 * Reunion Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * Seattle
 * L 122–127
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * Golden State
 * L 111–116
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * 8:05p.m. CDT
 * @ Houston
 * W 105–96
 * Birdsong (37)
 * King (11)
 * Ford (7)
 * The Summit 7,227
 * 3–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * Denver
 * W 125–122
 * Kemper Arena
 * 4–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 109–119
 * The Omni
 * 4–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * Portland
 * W 115–98
 * Kemper Arena
 * 5–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * 6:30p.m. CST
 * @ Boston
 * L 110–115
 * Birdsong (30)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Ford (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,035
 * 5–7
 * Kemper Arena
 * 4–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 109–119
 * The Omni
 * 4–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * Portland
 * W 115–98
 * Kemper Arena
 * 5–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * 6:30p.m. CST
 * @ Boston
 * L 110–115
 * Birdsong (30)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Ford (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,035
 * 5–7
 * 6:30p.m. CST
 * @ Boston
 * L 110–115
 * Birdsong (30)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Ford (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,035
 * 5–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * L 100–127
 * Birdsong (24)
 * Douglas (8)
 * Wedman (7)
 * Kemper Arena 7,792
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * @ Utah
 * L 104–107
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 5–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * New York
 * W 111–102
 * Kemper Arena
 * 6–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * 7:05p.m. CST
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 100–117
 * Birdsong, Ford (23)
 * King (13)
 * Ford (10)
 * The Spectrum 11,390
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * Cleveland
 * W 111–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 7–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * @ Portland
 * W 102–101
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 8–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * @ Golden State
 * L 101–111
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 8–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * @ Seattle
 * L 125–127
 * Kingdome
 * 8–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * @ San Diego
 * W 96–94
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 9–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 94–107
 * The Forum
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * @ Denver
 * L 121–134
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 9–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * New Jersey
 * W 118–100
 * Kemper Arena
 * 10–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * @ Detroit
 * L 94–104
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * San Antonio
 * L 104–106
 * Birdsong (37)
 * King (12)
 * Ford (13)
 * Kemper Arena 8,380
 * 10–16
 * The Forum
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * @ Denver
 * L 121–134
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 9–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * New Jersey
 * W 118–100
 * Kemper Arena
 * 10–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * @ Detroit
 * L 94–104
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * San Antonio
 * L 104–106
 * Birdsong (37)
 * King (12)
 * Ford (13)
 * Kemper Arena 8,380
 * 10–16
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * San Antonio
 * L 104–106
 * Birdsong (37)
 * King (12)
 * Ford (13)
 * Kemper Arena 8,380
 * 10–16
 * Kemper Arena 8,380
 * 10–16


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * @ Washington
 * L 103–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 10–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * W 103–100
 * Birdsong (28)
 * Douglas (8)
 * Ford (11)
 * Kemper Arena 7,719
 * 11–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * W 108–100
 * Birdsong (42)
 * King (9)
 * Ford (16)
 * Kemper Arena 6,982
 * 12–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * @ Indiana
 * L 88–107
 * Market Square Arena
 * 12–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * San Diego
 * W 112–100
 * Kemper Arena
 * 13–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * 6:35p.m. CST
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 104–122
 * Birdsong (28)
 * King, Lacey (6)
 * Birdsong (10)
 * HemisFair Arena 7,491
 * 13–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33
 * Dallas
 * W 114–107
 * Kemper Arena
 * 14–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * @ Denver
 * W 133–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 15–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * @ Seattle
 * L 94–101
 * Kingdome
 * 15–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * Indiana
 * L 103–107
 * Kemper Arena
 * 15–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 102–100
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 16–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 103–113
 * Ford (19)
 * King (14)
 * Ford (10)
 * Kemper Arena 16,006
 * 16–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ New York
 * L 99–100
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 16–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 102–99
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 17–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * Golden State
 * L 104–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–24
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 16–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Philadelphia
 * L 103–113
 * Ford (19)
 * King (14)
 * Ford (10)
 * Kemper Arena 16,006
 * 16–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ New York
 * L 99–100
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 16–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 102–99
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 17–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * Golden State
 * L 104–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–24
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 17–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * Golden State
 * L 104–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–24
 * L 104–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–24
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–24
 * 17–24


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * Utah
 * W 101–95
 * Kemper Arena
 * 18–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * 8:05p.m. CST
 * @ Houston
 * W 114–108
 * Ford (31)
 * King (11)
 * Ford (11)
 * The Summit 8,220
 * 19–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * Washington
 * W 136–118
 * Kemper Arena
 * 20–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * @ Utah
 * W 99–92
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 21–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * San Diego
 * L 105–115
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * Portland
 * L 91–110
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * 8:00p.m. CST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 112–118 (OT)
 * Wedman (25)
 * King (9)
 * Ford (8)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 21–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * Denver
 * L 122–123
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * @ Dallas
 * W 104–91
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * San Antonio
 * W 115–108
 * Ford (32)
 * Lacey (9)
 * Wedman (7)
 * Kemper Arena 7,627
 * 23–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * W 113–107
 * Ford (38)
 * King (10)
 * Ford (6)
 * Kemper Arena 7,290
 * 24–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * @ San Diego
 * L 114–119
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 24–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 104–118
 * The Forum
 * 24–30
 * W 115–108
 * Ford (32)
 * Lacey (9)
 * Wedman (7)
 * Kemper Arena 7,627
 * 23–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * W 113–107
 * Ford (38)
 * King (10)
 * Ford (6)
 * Kemper Arena 7,290
 * 24–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * @ San Diego
 * L 114–119
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 24–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 104–118
 * The Forum
 * 24–30
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 104–118
 * The Forum
 * 24–30
 * The Forum
 * 24–30
 * The Forum
 * 24–30


 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * @ Dallas
 * W 121–100
 * Reunion Arena
 * 25–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * Detroit
 * W 91–90
 * Kemper Arena
 * 26–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * @ Seattle
 * W 102–92
 * Kingdome
 * 27–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * @ Portland
 * L 123–129 (OT)
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 27–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * 7:30p.m. CST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 115–116
 * Birdsong (26)
 * King (8)
 * Ford (9)
 * Chicago Stadium 4,647
 * 27–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * Utah
 * W 99–87
 * Kemper Arena
 * 28–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * Atlanta
 * W 113–106
 * Kemper Arena
 * 29–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * Seattle
 * W 107–105
 * Kemper Arena
 * 30–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Boston
 * W 114–113
 * Ford (28)
 * Lacey (10)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Kemper Arena 11,810
 * 31–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Milwaukee
 * W 112–109
 * Birdsong (31)
 * King (12)
 * Ford (10)
 * Kemper Arena 11,046
 * 32–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * @ Denver
 * L 109–129
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 32–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * @ Golden State
 * L 96–104
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 33–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * Dallas
 * W 105–102
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * Golden State
 * L 101–110
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–35
 * King (12)
 * Ford (10)
 * Kemper Arena 11,046
 * 32–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * @ Denver
 * L 109–129
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 32–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * @ Golden State
 * L 96–104
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 33–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * Dallas
 * W 105–102
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * Golden State
 * L 101–110
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–35
 * W 105–102
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * Golden State
 * L 101–110
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–35
 * Golden State
 * L 101–110
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–35
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–35
 * 33–35


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * Los Angeles
 * L 98–99
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 111–97
 * Birdsong (39)
 * Meriweather (10)
 * Lacey (12)
 * HemisFair Arena 9,280
 * 34–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * Portland
 * W 106–100
 * Kemper Arena
 * 35–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * 2:05p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * W 105–68
 * Birdsong (30)
 * King (20)
 * Grunfeld (12)
 * Kemper Arena 8,260
 * 36–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * @ San Diego
 * W 107–100
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 37–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 101–116
 * The Forum
 * 37–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * 12Noon CST
 * Chicago
 * L 87–97
 * King (27)
 * King (16)
 * Lacey (8)
 * Kemper Arena 14,560
 * 37–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * Denver
 * L 124–126 (2OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 37–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * San Antonio
 * L 111–114 (OT)
 * Wedman (25)
 * King, Lacey (7)
 * Birdsong (6)
 * Kemper Arena 8,740
 * 37–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * 2:05p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * L 108–114
 * Birdsong (24)
 * King (15)
 * Birdsong, Grunfeld, Walton (5)
 * Kemper Arena 7,942
 * 37–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * @ Utah
 * W 105–92
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 38–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * 8:35p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 110–101
 * Grunfeld (25)
 * Douglas (7)
 * Grunfeld (12)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 39–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * 8:05p.m. CST
 * @ Houston
 * L 84–91
 * King (27)
 * King (14)
 * Lacey (7)
 * The Summit 15,676
 * 39–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * Dallas
 * W 113–104
 * Kemper Arena
 * 40–42
 * 8:35p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 110–101
 * Grunfeld (25)
 * Douglas (7)
 * Grunfeld (12)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 39–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * 8:05p.m. CST
 * @ Houston
 * L 84–91
 * King (27)
 * King (14)
 * Lacey (7)
 * The Summit 15,676
 * 39–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * Dallas
 * W 113–104
 * Kemper Arena
 * 40–42
 * Kemper Arena
 * 40–42
 * Kemper Arena
 * 40–42

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * @ Portland
 * W 98–97 (OT)
 * Birdsong (29)
 * King, Lacey (12)
 * Lacey (10)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,666
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * Portland
 * L 119–124 (OT)
 * Wedman (31)
 * Lacey (9)
 * Lacey (8)
 * Kemper Arena 11,088
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * @ Portland
 * W 104–95
 * King (28)
 * King (15)
 * Grunfeld (6)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,666
 * 2–1
 * Grunfeld (6)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,666
 * 2–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 8:35p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 80–102
 * King (15)
 * King (8)
 * Walton (6)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * 8:35p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 88–83
 * Wedman (24)
 * King (12)
 * Grunfeld (8)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * 7:35p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * W 93–92
 * King (29)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Grunfeld (7)
 * Kemper Arena 13,776
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * 2:30p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * W 102–95
 * Grunfeld (27)
 * Lacey (11)
 * Lacey (10)
 * Kemper Arena 11,089
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * 8:35p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 89–101
 * King (29)
 * Douglas, Lacey (8)
 * Grunfeld (8)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * 7:05p.m. CST
 * Phoenix
 * L 76–81
 * Wedman (19)
 * Lacey (12)
 * Grunfeld (8)
 * Kemper Arena 15,232
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * 2:30p.m. CST
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 95–88
 * Grunfeld, King (23)
 * King, Lacey (7)
 * Wedman (9)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
 * 4–3


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 9:05p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * L 78–97
 * Grunfeld (20)
 * King (12)
 * Ford, Lacey (7)
 * Kemper Arena 13,885
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * 9:05p.m. CST
 * Houston
 * W 88–79
 * King (31)
 * King (10)
 * King, Lacey (6)
 * Kemper Arena 14,326
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 9:00p.m. CST
 * @ Houston
 * L 88–92
 * King, Wedman (22)
 * King (8)
 * Wedman (7)
 * The Summit 16,121
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * 2:30p.m. CDT
 * @ Houston
 * L 89–100
 * King (24)
 * King, Lacey (8)
 * Ford (10)
 * The Summit 16,121
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * 9:00p.m. CDT
 * Houston
 * L 88–97
 * Wedman (20)
 * King (16)
 * Lacey (7)
 * Kemper Arena 14,640
 * 1–4

Awards and records

 * Otis Birdsong, All-NBA Second Team