1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season
# 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.

## Offseason

### 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.

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 2 | Gary Payton | PG | United States | Oregon State |
| 2 | 38 | Jud Buechler | SF/SG | United States | Arizona |
| 2 | 53 | Abdul Shamsid-Deen | C | United States | Providence |

## Regular season

### Season standings

| Pacific Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| y-Portland Trail Blazers | 63 | 19 | .768 | — | 36–5 | 27–14 | 18-10 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 5 | 33–8 | 25-16 | 19-9 |
| x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 8 | 32–9 | 23-18 | 17–11 |
| x-Golden State Warriors | 44 | 38 | .537 | 19 | 30–11 | 14–27 | 13–15 |
| x-Seattle SuperSonics | 41 | 41 | .500 | 22 | 28-13 | 13–28 | 12-16 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 32 | 23–18 | 8-33 | 10-18 |
| Sacramento Kings | 25 | 57 | .305 | 38 | 24-17 | 1–40 | 9–19 |

    y – clinched division title
    x – clinched playoff spot

| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Portland Trail Blazers | 63 | 19 | .768 | – |
| 2 | y-San Antonio Spurs | 55 | 27 | .671 | 8 |
| 3 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 5 |
| 4 | x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 8 |
| 5 | x-Utah Jazz | 54 | 28 | .659 | 9 |
| 6 | x-Houston Rockets | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 |
| 7 | x-Golden State Warriors | 44 | 38 | .537 | 19 |
| 8 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 41 | 41 | .500 | 22 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Clippers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 32 |
| 10 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 29 | 53 | .354 | 34 |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | 28 | 54 | .341 | 35 |
| 12 | Sacramento Kings | 25 | 57 | .305 | 38 |
| 13 | Denver Nuggets | 20 | 62 | .244 | 43 |

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

### Record vs. opponents

1990–91 NBA records :

| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Boston | 1–3 | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
| Charlotte | 4–1 | 1–3 | – | 0–5 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Chicago | 4–1 | 2–2 | 5–0 | – | 5–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 2–3 | 1–3 | 4–1 | 0–5 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 2–2 | 0–5 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | – | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 5–0 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 5–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 1–4 | 2–2 | 5–0 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 0–4 | 1–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 |
| Milwaukee | 3–2 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Minnesota | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
| New York | 1–3 | 0–5 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 5–0 | – | 0–2 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Orlando | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 |
| Philadelphia | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 3–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | – | 3–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–3 | – | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 3–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 4–1 | 1–3 | – | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 3–1 | – | 2–0 |
| Washington | 2–2 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — |

### Game log

1990–91 game log Total: 41–41 (home: 28–13; road: 13–28) :

November: 4–7 (home: 3–4; road: 1–3)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

1

November 3

Houston Rockets

W 118-106

X. McDaniel (24)

S. Kemp (10)

X. McDaniel, S. Threatt (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,922

1–0

2

November 6

Detroit Pistons

W 100-92

X. McDaniel (24)

S. Kemp (13)

G. Payton (6)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,078

2–0

3

November 9

@ Denver Nuggets

W 135-129

X. McDaniel (27)

D. McKey (14)

G. Payton (10)

McNichols Sports Arena 10,571

3–0

4

November 10

Golden State Warriors

L 100-117

X. McDaniel (26)

X. McDaniel, D. McKey (9)

G. Payton (9)

Tacoma Dome 13,130

3–1

5

November 13

New York Knicks

L 100-116 (OT)

S. Threatt (24)

X. McDaniel (10)

G. Payton (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,352

3–2

6

November 17

Chicago Bulls

L 95-116

X. McDaniel (17)

M. Cage (7)

G. Payton (5)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,692

3–3

7

November 18

@ Los Angeles Clippers

L 65-78

S. Kemp (11)

M. Cage (10)

G. Payton (5)

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 10,980

3–4

8

November 20

New Jersey Nets

W 105-88

X. McDaniel (35)

S. Kemp (8)

G. Payton (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,466

4–4

9

November 23

@ Utah Jazz

L 96-97

X. McDaniel (33)

D. McKey (11)

S. Threatt (12)

Salt Palace 12,616

4–5

10

November 27

San Antonio Spurs

L 111-124

Q. Dailey (29)

M. Cage (8)

G. Payton (8)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,293

4–6

11

November 29

@ Phoenix

L 110-128

D. McKey (26)

S. Kemp (11)

G. Payton (6)

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487

4–7 :

December

: 8–8 (home: 4–1; road: 4–7)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

12

December 1

Portland Trail Blazers

L 124-130 (3 OT)

X. McDaniel (41)

M. Cage (15)

G. Payton (8)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,674

4–8

13

December 3

@ Boston Celtics

L 102-135

S. Threatt (20)

O. Polynice (9)

D. Barros (6)

Boston Garden 14,890

4–9

14

December 4

@ New Jersey Nets

L 102-106

S. Threatt (20)

M. Cage (14)

G. Payton (9)

Brendan Byrne Arena 7,029

4–10

15

December 6

@ Miami Heat

W 105-103

S. Threatt (18)

S. Kemp (8)

S. Threatt (11)

Miami Arena 15,008

5–10

16

December 7

@ Orlando Magic

L 100-106

D. McKey (24)

M. Cage (9)

G. Payton (7)

Orlando Arena 15,077

5–11

17

December 9

@ Milwaukee Bucks

L 99-105

S. Kemp (31)

S. Kemp, D. McKey (10)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (6)

Bradley Center 14,327

5–12

18

December 12

Indiana Pacers

W 99-90

S. Kemp, D. McKey (18)

S. Kemp (11)

N. McMillan (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,729

6–12

19

December 13

@ Golden State Warriors

L 106-129

D. Barros (24)

O. Polynice (7)

D. Barros, D. Ellis (4)

Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025

6–13

20

December 15

Dallas Mavericks

W 106-105

S. Kemp (22)

M. Cage (8)

N. McMillan (10)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,009

7–13

21

December 18

Orlando Magic

W 122-105

D. McKey (33)

S. Kemp (11)

N. McMillan (14)

Seattle Center Coliseum 1,568

8–13

22

December 20

@ Sacramento Kings

W 110-75

D. Ellis (22)

S. Kemp (10)

G. Payton (12)

ARCO Arena 17,014

9–13

23

December 22

Sacramento Kings

W 121-93

E. Johnson (25)

O. Polynice (11)

N. McMillan (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,315

10–13

24

December 26

@ Cleveland Cavaliers

W 99-97

S. Kemp (19)

M. Cage (8)

G. Payton (7)

Coliseum at Richfield 14,839

11–13

25

December 27

@ Washington Bullets

W 125-120

E. Johnson (22)

S. Kemp (12)

G. Payton (11)

Capital Centre 2,413

12–13

26

December 29

@ Chicago Bulls

L 91-116

D. McKey (22)

S. Kemp (7)

G. Payton (6)

Chicago Stadium 18,676

12–14

27

December 30

@ Minnesota Timberwolves

L 106-126

D. Ellis (25)

S. Kemp (11)

G. Payton (6)

Target Center 19,006

12–15 :

January

: 8–7 (home: 7–1; road: 1–6)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

28

January 3

Philadelphia 76ers

W 127-99

D. McKey (24)

M. Cage (12)

G. Payton (11)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,048

13-15

29

January 4

Miami Heat

W 112-86

S. Threatt (30)

M. Cage (13)

G. Payton (12)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,074

14-15

30

January 6

@ Portland Trail Blazers

L 111-114

S. Kemp (25)

S. Kemp (9)

G. Payton (7)

Memorial Coliseum 12,884

14-16

31

January 8

Los Angeles Lakers

W 96-88

D. McKey (29)

O. Polynice (11)

N. McMillan (10)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,441

15-16

32

January 10

Golden State Warriors

L 103-113

D. McKey (19)

S. Kemp, O. Polynice (12)

N. McMillan (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,813

15-17

33

January 12

@ Sacramento Kings

L 85-101

D. McKey (20)

O. Polynice (14)

G. Payton (9)

ARCO Arena 17,014

15-18

34

January 15

Denver Nuggets

W 146-99

D. Barros, D. Ellis (22)

S. Kemp (12)

N. McMillan (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 9,618

16-18

35

January 18

@ Los Angeles Lakers

L 96-105

D. McKey (24)

S. Kemp (8)

G. Payton (11)

Great Western Forum 17,505

16-19

36

January 19

Washington Bullets

W 111-89

O. Polynice (27)

S. Kemp (13)

N. McMillan (8)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,369

17-19

37

January 22

Milwaukee Bucks

W 132-101

E. Johnson (29)

M. Cage (9)

G. Payton (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 9,469

18-19

38

January 25

@ Phoenix Suns

L 113-128

E. Johnson (25)

S. Kemp (13)

N. McMillan (7)

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487

18-20

39

January 26

Atlanta Hawks

W 103-102

D. McKey (23)

D. McKey (8)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,792

19-20

40

January 28

@ San Antonio Spurs

L 107-119

E. Johnson (21)

D. McKey (14)

G. Payton (11)

HemisFair Arena 15,908

19-21

41

January 29

@ Dallas Mavericks

L 112-117

D. McKey (24)

O. Polynice (6)

N. McMillan (8)

Reunion Arena 15,820

19-22

42

January 31

@ Houston Rockets

W 97-94

S. Threatt (18)

S. Kemp (17)

D. McKey, D. McKey (6)

The Summit 14,659

20-22 :

February

: 6–6 (home: 3–2; road: 3–4)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

43

February 2

@ Indiana Pacers

L 100-106

G. Payton (19)

D. McKey (7)

G. Payton (5)

Market Square Arena 13,064

20–23

44

February 4

@ Charlotte Hornets

W 100-93

E. Johnson (34)

M. Cage (18)

G. Payton (9)

Charlotte Coliseum 23,901

21–23

45

February 6

Los Angeles Clippers

W 107-104

E. Johnson (27)

S. Kemp (7)

G. Payton (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,021

22–23

46

February 12

Boston Celtics

L 111-114

E. Johnson (29)

M. Cage (10)

G. Payton (13)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,594

22–24

47

February 14

@ Orlando Magic

W 102-90

D. McKey (21)

D. McKey, O. Polynice (9)

N. McMillan (7)

Orlando Arena 15,077

23–24

48

February 16

@ Atlanta Hawks

L 113-122

D. McKey (30)

O. Polynice (9)

S. Threatt (9)

Omni Coliseum 15,924

23–25

49

February 18

@ Detroit Pistons

L 83-85

E. Johnson (20)

S. Kemp (13)

N. McMillan (7)

The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454

23–26

50

February 19

@ Philadelphia 76ers

L 104-107 (OT)

R. Pierce (18)

S. Kemp (12)

G. Payton (7)

The Spectrum 15,248

23–27

51

February 21

@ New York Knicks

W 120-101

R. Pierce (26)

S. Kemp (13)

N. McMillan, G. Payton, S. Threatt (5)

Madison Square Garden 12,515

24–27

52

February 23

Phoenix Suns

L 110-120

S. Kemp (25)

S. Kemp (11)

G. Payton (11)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,692

24–28

53

February 24

Utah Jazz

W 103-91

S. Threatt (30)

M. Cage (14)

G. Payton (16)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,080

25–28

54

February 26

Los Angeles Clippers

W 93-81

S. Threatt (31)

S. Kemp (15)

N. McMillan (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 11,305

26–28 :

March

: 8–9 (home: 5–4; road: 3–5)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

55

March 1

Charlotte Hornets

W 122-105

R. Pierce (25)

B. Benjamin (13)

N. McMillan (9)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,320

27-28

56

March 2

Sacramento Kings

W 120-106

E. Johnson (31)

B. Benjamin (16)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (8)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,182

28-28

57

March 4

@ Golden State Warriors

W 105-99

S. Threatt (24)

B. Benjamin (11)

G. Payton (10)

Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025

29-28

58

March 5

Cleveland Cavaliers

L 111-113 (OT)

E. Johnson (28)

B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (13)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 10,623

29-29

59

March 7

@ Minnesota Timberwolves

W 91-86

R. Pierce (25)

N. McMillan (11)

N. McMillan (8)

Target Center 19,006

30-29

60

March 9

@ San Antonio Spurs

L 99-112

E. Johnson (19)

E. Johnson (7)

D. Barros (5)

HemisFair Arena 15,908

30-30

61

March 12

@ Houston Rockets

L 91-93

S. Kemp (23)

S. Kemp (16)

D. McKey (6)

The Summit 15,508

30-31

62

March 13

@ Dallas Mavericks

L 96-98

S. Kemp (24)

S. Kemp (13)

S. Threatt (9)

Reunion Arena 15,813

30-32

63

March 15

Minnesota Timberwolves

L 96-100 (OT)

D. McKey (20)

B. Benjamin (10)

G. Payton (4)

Seattle Center Coliseum 11,497

30-33

64

March 16

Utah Jazz

L 98-104 (OT)

E. Johnson (19)

D. McKey (9)

G. Payton (5)

Seattle Center Coliseum 15,535

30-34

65

March 20

Los Angeles Lakers

W 114-106

B. Benjamin (28)

D. McKey (10)

G. Payton (12)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,392

31-34

66

March 22

@ Phoenix Suns

W 111-105

E. Johnson (34)

B. Benjamin (14)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (8)

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487

32-34

67

March 24

@ Los Angeles Lakers

L 96-113

S. Kemp (21)

B. Benjamin, M. Cage (7)

S. Threatt (7)

Great Western Forum 17,505

32-35

68

March 26

@ Portland Trail Blazers

L 113-126

R. Pierce (21)

M. Cage (8)

R. Pierce, S. Threatt (4)

Memorial Coliseum 12,884

32-36

69

March 27

Portland Trail Blazers

L 107-112

R. Pierce (24)

S. Kemp (10)

G. Payton (6)

Tacoma Dome 18,167

32-37

70

March 29

Minnesota Timberwolves

W 117-107

E. Johnson, R. Pierce (24)

N. McMillan (7)

G. Payton (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,968

33-37

71

March 30

Dallas Mavericks

W 115-102

S. Kemp (23)

B. Benjamin (7)

S. Kemp, S. Threatt (4)

Seattle Center Coliseum 11,756

34-37 :

April

: 7–4 (home: 6–1; road: 1–3)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord

72

April 3

Sacramento Kings

W 106-91

E. Johnson, S. Kemp (20)

S. Kemp (14)

N. McMillan, S. Threatt (6)

Seattle Center Coliseum 11,987

35-37

73

April 5

@ Los Angeles Clippers

L 90-109

E. Johnson (19)

S. Kemp (12)

N. McMillan (4)

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 12,932

35-38

74

April 7

W 124-117

@ Denver Nuggets

E. Johnson (31)

S. Kemp (10)

D. McKey (4)

McNichols Sports Arena 13,779

36-38

75

April 8

Denver Nuggets

W 118-112

B. Benjamin, E. Johnson, R. Pierce (19)

B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (10)

N. McMillan, G. Payton (8)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,811

37-38

76

April 10

Los Angeles Clippers

W 140-108

B. Benjamin (22)

B. Benjamin (11)

S. Threatt (9)

Tacoma Dome 5,714

38-38

77

April 12

San Antonio Spurs

W 100-99

R. Pierce (21)

B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (8)

G. Payton (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,340

39-38

78

April 13

Orlando Magic

W 105-96

S. Kemp (21)

S. Kemp (7)

D. Barros (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,073

40-38

79

April 15

Houston Rockets

L 93-97

E. Johnson (22)

M. Cage (8)

S. Threatt (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,760

40-39

80

April 18

@ Utah Jazz

L 103-130

E. Johnson (17)

B. Benjamin (8)

S. Threatt (6)

Salt Palace 12,616

40-40

81

April 19

Phoenix Suns

W 104-93

R. Pierce (23)

B. Benjamin (10)

N. McMillan (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 12,591

41-40

82

April 21

@ Los Angeles Lakers

L 100-103

E. Johnson (18)

B. Benjamin (12)

N. McMillan (8)

Great Western Forum 17,505

41-41 :

1990–91 season schedule :

## Playoffs

1991 playoff game log :

First round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)

GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries

1

April 26

@ Portland

L 102–110

Eddie Johnson (33)

Benoit Benjamin (9)

Gary Payton (8)

Memorial Coliseum 12,884

0–1

2

April 28

@ Portland

L 106–115

Eddie Johnson (28)

Cage, Kemp (11)

McMillan, Payton (6)

Memorial Coliseum 12,884

0–2

3

April 30

Portland

W 102–99

Sedale Threatt (29)

Shawn Kemp (9)

Nate McMillan (6)

Seattle Center Coliseum 14,476

1–2

4

May 2

Portland

W 101–89

Eddie Johnson (34)

Benjamin, McKey (9)

Gary Payton (7)

Seattle Center Coliseum 13,367

2–2

5

May 4

@ Portland

L 107–119

Johnson, Kemp (17)

Benoit Benjamin (6)

Gary Payton (7)

Memorial Coliseum 12,884

2–3 :

1991 schedule :

## Player statistics

### Season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dana Barros | 66 | 0 | 11.4 | .495 | .395 | .918 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Benoit Benjamin* | 31 | 27 | 29.0 | .502 | .000 | .690 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 12.9 |
| Michael Cage | 82 | 55 | 26.1 | .508 | .000 | .625 | 6.8 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 6.4 |
| Dave Corzine | 28 | 0 | 5.3 | .447 | .000 | .591 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.7 |
| Quintin Dailey | 30 | 0 | 10.0 | .471 | .000 | .613 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 6.1 |
| Dale Ellis* | 30 | 24 | 26.7 | .463 | .303 | .738 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 15.0 |
| Eddie Johnson* | 66 | 27 | 26.9 | .486 | .333 | .912 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 17.4 |
| Shawn Kemp | 81 | 66 | 30.1 | .508 | .167 | .661 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 15.0 |
| Xavier McDaniel* | 15 | 15 | 35.3 | .479 | .000 | .710 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 21.8 |
| Derrick McKey | 73 | 55 | 34.3 | .517 | .211 | .845 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 15.3 |
| Nate McMillan | 78 | 0 | 18.4 | .433 | .354 | .613 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 4.3 |
| Scott Meents | 13 | 0 | 4.1 | .250 | 1.000 | .500 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| Gary Payton | 82 | 82 | 27.4 | .450 | .077 | .711 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 7.2 |
| Ricky Pierce* | 32 | 2 | 26.3 | .463 | .391 | .925 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 17.5 |
| Olden Polynice* | 48 | 0 | 20.0 | .545 | .000 | .588 | 5.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 8.3 |
| Sedale Threatt | 80 | 57 | 25.8 | .519 | .286 | .792 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 12.7 |

*Statistics with the Seattle SuperSonics.

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dana Barros | 3 | 0 | 8.3 | .692 | .400 | .750 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 7.7 |
| Benoit Benjamin | 5 | 5 | 32.6 | .488 | .000 | .906 | 6.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 13.8 |
| Michael Cage | 5 | 0 | 16.0 | .429 | .000 | .765 | 16.0 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 5.0 |
| Dave Corzine | 2 | 0 | 6.0 | .667 | .000 | 1.000 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 |
| Eddie Johnson | 5 | 5 | 34.2 | .517 | .267 | .828 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| Shawn Kemp | 5 | 5 | 29.8 | .386 | .000 | .815 | 7.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 13.2 |
| Derrick McKey | 4 | 0 | 28.5 | .571 | .000 | .545 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 9.5 |
| Nate McMillan | 5 | 0 | 19.0 | .261 | .000 | .500 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 2.8 |
| Scott Meents | 2 | 0 | 4.0 | .500 | .000 | .000 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Gary Payton | 5 | 5 | 27.0 | .407 | .000 | 1.000 | 2.6 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 4.8 |
| Ricky Pierce | 5 | 0 | 22.4 | .333 | .300 | .941 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| Sedale Threatt | 5 | 5 | 27.2 | .536 | .364 | .900 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 14.6 |

## Awards and records

### 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.

## Transactions

### Overview

| Players Added Via draft Gary Payton Via free agency Dave Corzine Via trade Benoit Benjamin Eddie Johnson Ricky Pierce | Players Lost Via free agency Steve Johnson Via trade Dale Ellis Avery Johnson Xavier McDaniel Olden Polynice |
| - | - |

### Trades

| June 27, 1990 | To Seattle SuperSonicsNets' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott or Gary Payton with their No. 1 pick.Conditional 2nd round picks for 1993 and 1995 | To New Jersey NetsJud BuechlerTo Orlando MagicSonics' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott with their No. 2 pick. |
| - | - | - |
| October 24, 1990 | To Seattle SuperSonicsConditional 1997 second round pick | To Denver NuggetsAvery Johnson |
| December 7, 1990 | To Seattle SuperSonicsEddie JohnsonConditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks | To Phoenix SunsXavier McDaniel |
| February 15, 1991 | To Seattle SuperSonicsRicky Pierce | To Milwaukee BucksDale Ellis |
| February 20, 1991 | To Seattle SuperSonicsBenoit Benjamin | To Los Angeles ClippersOlden PolyniceConditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks |

### Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:

