1981–82 Washington Bullets season

The 1981–82 NBA season was the Bullets’ 21st season in the NBA and their ninth in the city of Washington, D.C. This for first since 1967-68 season Wes Unseld was not on the opening day roster. The Bullets finished 43–39 and won their first playoff round against the New Jersey Nets. They lost the semifinals to a powerful Boston Celtic outfit and their Nets win would prove their last playoff series win until 2004–05 against the Chicago Bulls.

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

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * October 30
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–124
 * Boston Garden
 * 0–1
 * Boston Garden
 * 0–1
 * 0–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * November 3
 * Philadelphia
 * L 99–112
 * Capital Centre
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 5
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 90–98
 * MECCA Arena
 * 0–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * November 6
 * Detroit
 * W 86–82
 * Capital Centre
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 10
 * Boston
 * L 84–90
 * Capital Centre
 * 1–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * November 12
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 95–87
 * The Omni
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * November 14
 * Chicago
 * W 104–99
 * Capital Centre
 * 3–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 17
 * Milwaukee
 * L 95–99
 * Capital Centre
 * 3–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 19
 * @ Detroit
 * L 97–122
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 3–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 20
 * Houston
 * L 94–95
 * Capital Centre
 * 3–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 21
 * @ Chicago
 * L 105–117
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 3–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 24
 * Golden State
 * W 107–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 27
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–113
 * Boston Garden
 * 4–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 28
 * Indiana
 * L 90–92
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–10
 * 11
 * November 21
 * @ Chicago
 * L 105–117
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 3–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 24
 * Golden State
 * W 107–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 27
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–113
 * Boston Garden
 * 4–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 28
 * Indiana
 * L 90–92
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–10
 * Boston Garden
 * 4–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 28
 * Indiana
 * L 90–92
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–10
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–10
 * 4–10


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * December 1
 * San Antonio
 * L 99–110
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * December 3
 * @ New York
 * W 114–88
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 5–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 5
 * Cleveland
 * W 94–87
 * Capital Centre
 * 6–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 8
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 98–102
 * The Forum
 * 6–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 11
 * @ San Diego
 * W 106–102
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 7–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 12
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 105–98
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 8–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * December 15
 * Dallas
 * L 102–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 16
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 106–102
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 18
 * Boston
 * L 98–99
 * Capital Centre
 * 9–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 22
 * @ Chicago
 * L 90–92
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 9–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * December 25
 * Indiana
 * W 115–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 26
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 105–90
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 29
 * Detroit
 * W 129–125
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–107
 * MECCA Arena
 * 12–16
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 9–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * December 25
 * Indiana
 * W 115–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 26
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 105–90
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 29
 * Detroit
 * W 129–125
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–107
 * MECCA Arena
 * 12–16
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–107
 * MECCA Arena
 * 12–16
 * MECCA Arena
 * 12–16
 * 12–16


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * January 2
 * @ Indiana
 * W 107–103
 * Market Square Arena
 * 13–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * January 5
 * New Jersey
 * L 108–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 6
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 112–116
 * The Spectrum
 * 13–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 7
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 109–100
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 14–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33
 * January 10
 * @ New York
 * W 129–126 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 15–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 12
 * Philadelphia
 * L 92–95
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 14
 * @ Detroit
 * W 121–114
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 16–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * January 15
 * Chicago
 * W 93–90
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 17
 * Atlanta
 * W 96–78
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 20
 * Seattle
 * W 106–95
 * Capital Centre
 * 19–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 22
 * Portland
 * W 110–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 20–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 23
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 109–106 (OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 26
 * Chicago
 * W 94–84
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 42
 * January 28
 * New York
 * L 98–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–20
 * Capital Centre
 * 19–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 22
 * Portland
 * W 110–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 20–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 23
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 109–106 (OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 21–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 26
 * Chicago
 * W 94–84
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 42
 * January 28
 * New York
 * L 98–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–20
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 42
 * January 28
 * New York
 * L 98–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–20
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–20
 * 22–20


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * February 2
 * Cleveland
 * L 99–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * February 3
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 96–122
 * The Spectrum
 * 22–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * February 5
 * Los Angeles
 * L 87–90
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 7
 * Denver
 * L 115–124
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47
 * February 9
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 112–110
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 23–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 10
 * @ Dallas
 * W 119–102
 * Reunion Arena
 * 24–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 13
 * @ Houston
 * L 104–111
 * The Summit
 * 24–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * February 16
 * @ Portland
 * W 100–97
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 25–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 18
 * @ Seattle
 * L 87–105
 * Kingdome
 * 25–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 20
 * @ Golden State
 * L 102–110
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 25–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 23
 * Utah
 * L 106–113
 * Capital Centre
 * 25–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 26
 * Kansas City
 * W 100–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 26–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * New York
 * W 113–109 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–28
 * 52
 * February 20
 * @ Golden State
 * L 102–110
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 25–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 23
 * Utah
 * L 106–113
 * Capital Centre
 * 25–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 26
 * Kansas City
 * W 100–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 26–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * New York
 * W 113–109 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–28
 * Capital Centre
 * 26–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 28
 * New York
 * W 113–109 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–28
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–28
 * 27–28


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * March 2
 * New Jersey
 * L 124–130 (2OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * March 5
 * @ Denver
 * L 126–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * March 6
 * @ Utah
 * W 127–113
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 28–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 9
 * Phoenix
 * L 95–103
 * Capital Centre
 * 28–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * March 12
 * Indiana
 * W 110–105
 * Capital Centre
 * 29–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 13
 * @ New York
 * W 109–99
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 30–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * March 14
 * Atlanta
 * W 92–85
 * Capital Centre
 * 31–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * March 16
 * Boston
 * L 97–98 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 31–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 17
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 93–102
 * The Spectrum
 * 31–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 19
 * San Diego
 * W 108–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 32–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * March 21
 * New York
 * W 110–109
 * Capital Centre
 * 33–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 23
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 87–107
 * The Omni
 * 33–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 24
 * @ Indiana
 * W 114–106
 * Market Square Arena
 * 34–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 26
 * New Jersey
 * W 104–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 28
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 104–101
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 36–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 30
 * Detroit
 * W 127–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 37–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–119
 * Boston Garden
 * 37–35
 * 33–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 24
 * @ Indiana
 * W 114–106
 * Market Square Arena
 * 34–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 26
 * New Jersey
 * W 104–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 28
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 104–101
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 36–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 30
 * Detroit
 * W 127–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 37–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–119
 * Boston Garden
 * 37–35
 * Capital Centre
 * 37–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * March 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–119
 * Boston Garden
 * 37–35
 * L 109–119
 * Boston Garden
 * 37–35
 * Boston Garden
 * 37–35
 * 37–35


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 2
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 96–98
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 37–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * April 3
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 101–106
 * The Omni
 * 37–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 6
 * Cleveland
 * W 94–85
 * Capital Centre
 * 38–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 7
 * @ Indiana
 * W 97–85
 * Market Square Arena
 * 39–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 9
 * @ Chicago
 * W 114–98
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 40–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 10
 * Milwaukee
 * W 115–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 41–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 13
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 109–99
 * MECCA Arena
 * 42–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 14
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 94–98
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 42–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 16
 * Philadelphia
 * L 96–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 42–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 18
 * Atlanta
 * W 99–96
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 14
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 94–98
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 42–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 16
 * Philadelphia
 * L 96–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 42–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 18
 * Atlanta
 * W 99–96
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–39
 * 82
 * April 18
 * Atlanta
 * W 99–96
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–39
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–39
 * 43–39

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 20
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 96–83
 * Jeff Ruland (18)
 * Jeff Ruland (20)
 * Frank Johnson (11)
 * Brendan Byrne Arena 14,015
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 23
 * New Jersey
 * W 103–92
 * Kevin Grevey (23)
 * Rick Mahorn (11)
 * Frank Johnson (9)
 * Capital Centre 19,035
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 25
 * @ Boston
 * L 91–109
 * Spencer Haywood (17)
 * Greg Ballard (9)
 * Frank Johnson (6)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 28
 * @ Boston
 * W 103–102
 * Johnson, Haywood (26)
 * Jeff Ruland (10)
 * Frank Johnson (8)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 1
 * Boston
 * L 83–92
 * Spencer Haywood (19)
 * Rick Mahorn (14)
 * Frank Johnson (8)
 * Capital Centre 15,035
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 2
 * Boston
 * L 99–103 (OT)
 * Spencer Haywood (28)
 * Rick Mahorn (10)
 * Frank Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 16,295
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 5
 * @ Boston
 * L 126–131 (2OT)
 * Jeff Ruland (33)
 * Jeff Ruland (13)
 * Frank Johnson (10)
 * Boston Garden 15,320
 * 1–4
 * 1–4

Awards and records

 * Gene Shue, NBA Coach of the Year Award
 * Bob Ferry, NBA Executive of the Year Award
 * Jeff Ruland, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team