1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 23rd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. Head coach Bernie Bickerstaff was replaced by his former assistant K. C. Jones, and went on to occupy the desk of vice-president of Basketball Operations for Seattle, resigning months later to accept a job as General Manager of the Denver Nuggets. The Draft Lottery gave the SuperSonics the No. 2 pick, which was used to select future All-Star point guard Gary Payton out of Oregon State in the 1990 NBA draft.

Substantial changes were made on the roster, first by trading Sonics referent Xavier McDaniel to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Eddie Johnson during the first months of competition. Following the All-Star break, the team traded Dale Ellis, whose off-the-court problems were the focus of much unwanted attention, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ricky Pierce,    and sent center Olden Polynice to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Benoit Benjamin. The Sonics held a 22–23 record at the All-Star break, and would finish with a 41–41 record like the previous season, this time being able to reach the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference, where they lost in the Western Conference First Round to the top-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in five games.

Johnson averaged 17.4 points per game with the team after the trade, while Derrick McKey averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Shawn Kemp showed improvement, averaging 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. In addition, Sedale Threatt contributed 12.7 points and 1.4 steals per game, while Payton provided with 7.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Michael Cage averaged 6.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Following the season, Threatt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Draft picks
Of the 3 players Seattle picked in the draft only Gary Payton would stay with the team, since Jud Buechler was traded to the New Jersey Nets and Abdul Shamsid-Deen went to Europe to play for the French team Paris Basket Racing.

Season standings

 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot


 * z – clinched division title
 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Game log
S. Threatt (7) 13,922 13,078 10,571 D. McKey (9) 13,130 12,352 14,692 10,980 10,466 12,616 13,293 14,487
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * November 3
 * Houston Rockets
 * W 118-106
 * X. McDaniel (24)
 * S. Kemp (10)
 * X. McDaniel,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 1–0
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * November 6
 * Detroit Pistons
 * W 100-92
 * X. McDaniel (24)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * G. Payton (6)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 2–0
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * November 9
 * @ Denver Nuggets
 * W 135-129
 * X. McDaniel (27)
 * D. McKey (14)
 * G. Payton (10)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 3–0
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 10
 * Golden State Warriors
 * L 100-117
 * X. McDaniel (26)
 * X. McDaniel,
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Tacoma Dome
 * 3–1
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 13
 * New York Knicks
 * L 100-116 (OT)
 * S. Threatt (24)
 * X. McDaniel (10)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 3–2
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 17
 * Chicago Bulls
 * L 95-116
 * X. McDaniel (17)
 * M. Cage (7)
 * G. Payton (5)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 3–3
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 18
 * @ Los Angeles Clippers
 * L 65-78
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * M. Cage (10)
 * G. Payton (5)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 3–4
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 20
 * New Jersey Nets
 * W 105-88
 * X. McDaniel (35)
 * S. Kemp (8)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 4–4
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 23
 * @ Utah Jazz
 * L 96-97
 * X. McDaniel (33)
 * D. McKey (11)
 * S. Threatt (12)
 * Salt Palace
 * 4–5
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 27
 * San Antonio Spurs
 * L 111-124
 * Q. Dailey (29)
 * M. Cage (8)
 * G. Payton (8)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 4–6
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 29
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110-128
 * D. McKey (26)
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * G. Payton (6)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 4–7

14,674 14,890
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * December 1
 * Portland Trail Blazers
 * L 124-130 (3 OT)
 * X. McDaniel (41)
 * M. Cage (15)
 * G. Payton (8)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 4–8
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * December 3
 * @ Boston Celtics
 * L 102-135
 * S. Threatt (20)
 * O. Polynice (9)
 * D. Barros (6)
 * Boston Garden
 * 4–9

7,029
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * December 4
 * @ New Jersey Nets
 * L 102-106
 * S. Threatt (20)
 * M. Cage (14)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 4–10

15,008
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * December 6
 * @ Miami Heat
 * W 105-103
 * S. Threatt (18)
 * S. Kemp (8)
 * S. Threatt (11)
 * Miami Arena
 * 5–10

15,077
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * December 7
 * @ Orlando Magic
 * L 100-106
 * D. McKey (24)
 * M. Cage (9)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Orlando Arena
 * 5–11

D. McKey (10) G. Payton (6) 14,327
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17
 * December 9
 * @ Milwaukee Bucks
 * L 99-105
 * S. Kemp (31)
 * S. Kemp,
 * N. McMillan,
 * Bradley Center
 * 5–12

D. McKey (18) 10,729
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 12
 * Indiana Pacers
 * W 99-90
 * S. Kemp,
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * N. McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 6–12

D. Ellis (4) 15,025
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 13
 * @ Golden State Warriors
 * L 106-129
 * D. Barros (24)
 * O. Polynice (7)
 * D. Barros,
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 6–13

10,009
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 15
 * Dallas Mavericks
 * W 106-105
 * S. Kemp (22)
 * M. Cage (8)
 * N. McMillan (10)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 7–13

1,568
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 18
 * Orlando Magic
 * W 122-105
 * D. McKey (33)
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * N. McMillan (14)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 8–13

17,014
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 20
 * @ Sacramento Kings
 * W 110-75
 * D. Ellis (22)
 * S. Kemp (10)
 * G. Payton (12)
 * ARCO Arena
 * 9–13

10,315
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 22
 * Sacramento Kings
 * W 121-93
 * E. Johnson (25)
 * O. Polynice (11)
 * N. McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 10–13

14,839
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * December 26
 * @ Cleveland Cavaliers
 * W 99-97
 * S. Kemp (19)
 * M. Cage (8)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Coliseum at Richfield
 * 11–13

2,413
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * December 27
 * @ Washington Bullets
 * W 125-120
 * E. Johnson (22)
 * S. Kemp (12)
 * G. Payton (11)
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–13

18,676
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * December 29
 * @ Chicago Bulls
 * L 91-116
 * D. McKey (22)
 * S. Kemp (7)
 * G. Payton (6)
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 12–14

19,006
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 30
 * @ Minnesota Timberwolves
 * L 106-126
 * D. Ellis (25)
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * G. Payton (6)
 * Target Center
 * 12–15

13,048
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * January 3
 * Philadelphia 76ers
 * W 127-99
 * D. McKey (24)
 * M. Cage (12)
 * G. Payton (11)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 13-15

12,074
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * January 4
 * Miami Heat
 * W 112-86
 * S. Threatt (30)
 * M. Cage (13)
 * G. Payton (12)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 14-15

12,884
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * January 6
 * @ Portland Trail Blazers
 * L 111-114
 * S. Kemp (25)
 * S. Kemp (9)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 14-16

14,441
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * January 8
 * Los Angeles Lakers
 * W 96-88
 * D. McKey (29)
 * O. Polynice (11)
 * N. McMillan (10)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 15-16

O. Polynice (12) 10,813
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 10
 * Golden State Warriors
 * L 103-113
 * D. McKey (19)
 * S. Kemp,
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 15-17

17,014
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 12
 * @ Sacramento Kings
 * L 85-101
 * D. McKey (20)
 * O. Polynice (14)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * ARCO Arena
 * 15-18

D. Ellis (22) 9,618
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 15
 * Denver Nuggets
 * W 146-99
 * D. Barros,
 * S. Kemp (12)
 * N. McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 16-18

17,505
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 18
 * @ Los Angeles Lakers
 * L 96-105
 * D. McKey (24)
 * S. Kemp (8)
 * G. Payton (11)
 * Great Western Forum
 * 16-19

13,369
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * January 19
 * Washington Bullets
 * W 111-89
 * O. Polynice (27)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * N. McMillan (8)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 17-19

9,469
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 22
 * Milwaukee Bucks
 * W 132-101
 * E. Johnson (29)
 * M. Cage (9)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 18-19

14,487
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 25
 * @ Phoenix Suns
 * L 113-128
 * E. Johnson (25)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 18-20

G. Payton (9) 12,792
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 26
 * Atlanta Hawks
 * W 103-102
 * D. McKey (23)
 * D. McKey (8)
 * N. McMillan,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 19-20

15,908
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 28
 * @ San Antonio Spurs
 * L 107-119
 * E. Johnson (21)
 * D. McKey (14)
 * G. Payton (11)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 19-21

15,820
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 29
 * @ Dallas Mavericks
 * L 112-117
 * D. McKey (24)
 * O. Polynice (6)
 * N. McMillan (8)
 * Reunion Arena
 * 19-22

D. McKey (6) 14,659
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 31
 * @ Houston Rockets
 * W 97-94
 * S. Threatt (18)
 * S. Kemp (17)
 * D. McKey,
 * The Summit
 * 20-22

13,064 23,901 12,021 14,594 O. Polynice (9) 15,077 15,924 21,454 15,248 G. Payton, S. Threatt (5) 12,515 14,692 12,080 11,305
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * February 2
 * @ Indiana Pacers
 * L 100-106
 * G. Payton (19)
 * D. McKey (7)
 * G. Payton (5)
 * Market Square Arena
 * 20–23
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * February 4
 * @ Charlotte Hornets
 * W 100-93
 * E. Johnson (34)
 * M. Cage (18)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Charlotte Coliseum
 * 21–23
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * February 6
 * Los Angeles Clippers
 * W 107-104
 * E. Johnson (27)
 * S. Kemp (7)
 * G. Payton (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 22–23
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 12
 * Boston Celtics
 * L 111-114
 * E. Johnson (29)
 * M. Cage (10)
 * G. Payton (13)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 22–24
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47
 * February 14
 * @ Orlando Magic
 * W 102-90
 * D. McKey (21)
 * D. McKey,
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * Orlando Arena
 * 23–24
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 16
 * @ Atlanta Hawks
 * L 113-122
 * D. McKey (30)
 * O. Polynice (9)
 * S. Threatt (9)
 * Omni Coliseum
 * 23–25
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 18
 * @ Detroit Pistons
 * L 83-85
 * E. Johnson (20)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * 23–26
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 19
 * @ Philadelphia 76ers
 * L 104-107 (OT)
 * R. Pierce (18)
 * S. Kemp (12)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * The Spectrum
 * 23–27
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 21
 * @ New York Knicks
 * W 120-101
 * R. Pierce (26)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * N. McMillan,
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 24–27
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 23
 * Phoenix Suns
 * L 110-120
 * S. Kemp (25)
 * S. Kemp (11)
 * G. Payton (11)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 24–28
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 24
 * Utah Jazz
 * W 103-91
 * S. Threatt (30)
 * M. Cage (14)
 * G. Payton (16)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 25–28
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 26
 * Los Angeles Clippers
 * W 93-81
 * S. Threatt (31)
 * S. Kemp (15)
 * N. McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 26–28

13,320 G. Payton (8) 12,182 15,025 S. Kemp (13) G. Payton (7) 10,623 19,006 15,908 15,508 15,813 11,497 15,535 14,392 G. Payton (8) 14,487 M. Cage (7) 17,505 S. Threatt (4) 12,884 18,167 R. Pierce (24) 12,968 S. Threatt (4) 11,756
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * March 1
 * Charlotte Hornets
 * W 122-105
 * R. Pierce (25)
 * B. Benjamin (13)
 * N. McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 27-28
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * March 2
 * Sacramento Kings
 * W 120-106
 * E. Johnson (31)
 * B. Benjamin (16)
 * N. McMillan,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 28-28
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * March 4
 * @ Golden State Warriors
 * W 105-99
 * S. Threatt (24)
 * B. Benjamin (11)
 * G. Payton (10)
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 29-28
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * March 5
 * Cleveland Cavaliers
 * L 111-113 (OT)
 * E. Johnson (28)
 * B. Benjamin,
 * N. McMillan,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 29-29
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * March 7
 * @ Minnesota Timberwolves
 * W 91-86
 * R. Pierce (25)
 * N. McMillan (11)
 * N. McMillan (8)
 * Target Center
 * 30-29
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * March 9
 * @ San Antonio Spurs
 * L 99-112
 * E. Johnson (19)
 * E. Johnson (7)
 * D. Barros (5)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 30-30
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61
 * March 12
 * @ Houston Rockets
 * L 91-93
 * S. Kemp (23)
 * S. Kemp (16)
 * D. McKey (6)
 * The Summit
 * 30-31
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 13
 * @ Dallas Mavericks
 * L 96-98
 * S. Kemp (24)
 * S. Kemp (13)
 * S. Threatt (9)
 * Reunion Arena
 * 30-32
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * March 15
 * Minnesota Timberwolves
 * L 96-100 (OT)
 * D. McKey (20)
 * B. Benjamin (10)
 * G. Payton (4)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 30-33
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 16
 * Utah Jazz
 * L 98-104 (OT)
 * E. Johnson (19)
 * D. McKey (9)
 * G. Payton (5)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 30-34
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 20
 * Los Angeles Lakers
 * W 114-106
 * B. Benjamin (28)
 * D. McKey (10)
 * G. Payton (12)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 31-34
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * March 22
 * @ Phoenix Suns
 * W 111-105
 * E. Johnson (34)
 * B. Benjamin (14)
 * N. McMillan,
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 32-34
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 24
 * @ Los Angeles Lakers
 * L 96-113
 * S. Kemp (21)
 * B. Benjamin,
 * S. Threatt (7)
 * Great Western Forum
 * 32-35
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 26
 * @ Portland Trail Blazers
 * L 113-126
 * R. Pierce (21)
 * M. Cage (8)
 * R. Pierce,
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 32-36
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 27
 * Portland Trail Blazers
 * L 107-112
 * R. Pierce (24)
 * S. Kemp (10)
 * G. Payton (6)
 * Tacoma Dome
 * 32-37
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 29
 * Minnesota Timberwolves
 * W 117-107
 * E. Johnson,
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 33-37
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 30
 * Dallas Mavericks
 * W 115-102
 * S. Kemp (23)
 * B. Benjamin (7)
 * S. Kemp,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 34-37

S. Kemp (20) S. Threatt (6) 11,987
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * April 3
 * Sacramento Kings
 * W 106-91
 * E. Johnson,
 * S. Kemp (14)
 * N. McMillan,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 35-37

12,932
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 5
 * @ Los Angeles Clippers
 * L 90-109
 * E. Johnson (19)
 * S. Kemp (12)
 * N. McMillan (4)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 35-38

13,779
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * April 7
 * W 124-117
 * @ Denver Nuggets
 * E. Johnson (31)
 * S. Kemp (10)
 * D. McKey (4)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 36-38

E. Johnson, R. Pierce (19) S. Kemp (10) G. Payton (8) 12,811
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 8
 * Denver Nuggets
 * W 118-112
 * B. Benjamin,
 * B. Benjamin,
 * N. McMillan,
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 37-38

5,714
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 10
 * Los Angeles Clippers
 * W 140-108
 * B. Benjamin (22)
 * B. Benjamin (11)
 * S. Threatt (9)
 * Tacoma Dome
 * 38-38

S. Kemp (8) 13,340
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 12
 * San Antonio Spurs
 * W 100-99
 * R. Pierce (21)
 * B. Benjamin,
 * G. Payton (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 39-38

13,073
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 13
 * Orlando Magic
 * W 105-96
 * S. Kemp (21)
 * S. Kemp (7)
 * D. Barros (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 40-38

13,760
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 79
 * April 15
 * Houston Rockets
 * L 93-97
 * E. Johnson (22)
 * M. Cage (8)
 * S. Threatt (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 40-39

12,616
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 18
 * @ Utah Jazz
 * L 103-130
 * E. Johnson (17)
 * B. Benjamin (8)
 * S. Threatt (6)
 * Salt Palace
 * 40-40

12,591
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 19
 * Phoenix Suns
 * W 104-93
 * R. Pierce (23)
 * B. Benjamin (10)
 * N. McMillan (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 41-40

17,505
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 21
 * @ Los Angeles Lakers
 * L 100-103
 * E. Johnson (18)
 * B. Benjamin (12)
 * N. McMillan (8)
 * Great Western Forum
 * 41-41

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 26
 * @ Portland
 * L 102–110
 * Eddie Johnson (33)
 * Benoit Benjamin (9)
 * Gary Payton (8)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,884
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 28
 * @ Portland
 * L 106–115
 * Eddie Johnson (28)
 * Cage, Kemp (11)
 * McMillan, Payton (6)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,884
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 30
 * Portland
 * W 102–99
 * Sedale Threatt (29)
 * Shawn Kemp (9)
 * Nate McMillan (6)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,476
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 2
 * Portland
 * W 101–89
 * Eddie Johnson (34)
 * Benjamin, McKey (9)
 * Gary Payton (7)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 13,367
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 4
 * @ Portland
 * L 107–119
 * Johnson, Kemp (17)
 * Benoit Benjamin (6)
 * Gary Payton (7)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,884
 * 2–3

Season
* Statistics with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Awards

 * Gary Payton was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Records

 * Ricky Pierce finished the season with a franchise record .925 in free throw percentage.

Subtractions
Player Transactions Citation: