1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season

1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachLenny Wilkens
General managerZollie Volchok
OwnersSam Schulman
ArenaKingdome
Results
Record52–30 (.634)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA champions
(defeated Bullets 4–1)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKIRO-TV 7
RadioKIRO–AM 710

The 1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics season was the team's 12th since the franchise began, and their most successful, winning their only NBA title while being based in Seattle.

In the playoffs, the SuperSonics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the Semi-finals, then defeated the Phoenix Suns in seven games in the Conference Finals to reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive season in a rematch of the 1978 NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Washington Bullets whom they had lost to in seven games. The Sonics would go on to avenge their NBA Finals loss and defeat the Bullets in five games, winning their first and only NBA championship. Dennis Johnson was named the NBA Finals MVP.

They would not reach another NBA Finals until 1996 in which they were led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. They also would not win another until 2025 as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This was Seattle's first professional sports championship since the Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917.

Off-season

Draft

Main article: 1978 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Nationality School/Club team
2 39 James Lee  United States Kentucky
5 105 Ralph Drollinger  United States UCLA

Roster

1978–79 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 21 Dennis Awtrey 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1948–02–22 Santa Clara
G 32 Fred Brown 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1948–08–07 Iowa
G 10 Joe Hassett 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1955–09–11 Providence
G 24 Dennis Johnson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1954–09–18 Pepperdine
F 27 John Johnson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1947–10–18 Iowa
F/C 23 Tom LaGarde 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1955–02–10 North Carolina
F 22 Jackie Robinson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1955–05–20 UNLV
F 8 Lonnie Shelton 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1955–10–19 Oregon State
F/C 43 Jack Sikma 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1955–11–14 Illinois Wesleyan
F/C 35 Paul Silas 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1943–07–12 Creighton
G/F 11 Dick Snyder 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944–02–01 Davidson
F 42 Wally Walker 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1954–07–18 Virginia
G 1 Gus Williams 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1953–10–10 USC
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: 1979–06–26

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 52 30 .634 – 31–10 21–20 11–9
x-Phoenix Suns 50 32 .610 2 32–9 18–23 11–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers 47 35 .573 5 31–10 16–25 11–9
x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 7 33–8 12–29 8–12
San Diego Clippers 43 39 .524 9 29–12 14–27 11–9
Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 14 23–18 15–26 8–12
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Seattle SuperSonics 52 30 .634 –
2 y-Kansas City Kings 48 34 .585 4
3 x-Phoenix Suns 50 32 .610 2
4 x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 5
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers 47 35 .573 5
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 7
7 San Diego Clippers 43 39 .524 9
8 Indiana Pacers 38 44 .463 14
9 Milwaukee Bucks 38 44 .463 14
10 Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 14
11 Chicago Bulls 31 51 .378 21

Game log

Regular season

1978–79 game log
Total: 52–30 (Home: 31–10; Road: 21–20)
October: 7–1 (home: 5–0; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 13 Chicago W 104–86 Dennis Johnson (26) Jack Sikma (12) Jack Sikma (6) Kingdome
15,219 		1–0
2 October 15 Kansas City W 115–105 Fred Brown (26) Lonnie Shelton (8) Fred Brown (5) Kingdome
11,609 		2–0
3 October 17 @ New York W 120–109 Three players (20) Jack Sikma (12) Four players (5) Madison Square Garden
10,155 		3–0
4 October 18 @ Indiana W 99–92 Dennis Johnson (20) Tom LaGarde (15) Four players (3) Market Square Arena
7,683 		4–0
5 October 20 San Antonio W 133–117 Tom LaGarde (32) Tom LaGarde (13) Brown, J. Johnson, Williams (6) Kingdome
20,172 		5–0
6 October 25 Washington W 121–92 Gus Williams (24) Lonnie Shelton (15) Dennis Johnson (4) Kingdome
15,089 		6–0
7 October 27 Milwaukee W 80–79 Fred Brown (20) Jack Sikma (13) Fred Brown (3) Kingdome
19,060 		7–0
8 October 29 @ San Diego L 100–103 John Johnson (20) Jack Sikma (11) Jack Sikma. John Johnson (3) San Diego Sports Arena
9,469 		7–1
November: 9–4 (home: 6–3; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
9 November 2 @ Detroit W 95–94 8–1
10 November 3 @ New Jersey W 102–81 9–1
11 November 8 New York L 100–104 9–2
12 November 10 Cleveland W 109–95 10–2
13 November 15 New Orleans W 135–118 11–2
14 November 17 Indiana W 126–115 12–2
15 November 18 @ Golden State L 104–112 12–3
16 November 19 Portland W 88–85 13–3
17 November 22 Chicago W 98–96 14–3
18 November 24 Denver L 100–103 14–4
19 November 25 @ Denver W 110–104 15–4
20 November 26 Houston L 103–108 15–5
21 November 29 New Jersey W 125–111 16–5
December: 6–7 (home: 5–2; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
22 December 1 @ Boston L 80–87 16–6
23 December 2 @ Philadelphia W 100–97 Jack Sikma (29) Jack Sikma (20) Dick Snyder (5) The Spectrum
15,068 		17–6
24 December 8 Atlanta W 107–106 Lonnie Shelton (26) Jack Sikma (17) Fred Brown (9) Kingdome
13,383 		18–6
25 December 10 San Antonio W 112–99 Jack Sikma (23) Jack Sikma (19) John Johnson (7) Kingdome
13,847 		19–6
26 December 13 Los Angeles W 117–107 Fred Brown (28) Paul Silas (15) Jack Sikma (8) Kingdome
20,178 		20–6
27 December 15 @ Los Angeles L 98–100 Dennis Johnson (28) Jack Sikma (8) Brown, Sikma (7) The Forum
11,149 		20–7
28 December 17 @ Cleveland L 91–101 20–8
29 December 19 @ Milwaukee L 99–128 20–9
30 December 20 @ Kansas City L 95–114 Wally Walker (17) Jack Sikma (11) J. Johnson, Sikma, Silas (4) Kemper Arena
8,552 		20–10
31 December 22 Philadelphia L 95–103 Jack Sikma (21) Jack Sikma (16) Dennis Johnson (7) Kingdome
20,133 		20–11
32 December 25 San Diego L 118–123 20–12
33 December 27 New Orleans W 122–103 21–12
34 December 29 Phoenix W 119–92 Dennis Johnson (26) Jack Sikma (12) D. Johnson, J. Johnson (7) Kingdome
20,565 		22–12
January: 10–4 (home: 3–3; road: 7–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
35 January 1 Golden State L 97–110 22–13
36 January 2 @ Portland W 109–108 23–13
37 January 3 Boston W 123–116 24–13
38 January 5 Denver L 92–95 24–14
39 January 10 Indiana W 118–98 25–14
40 January 11 @ Phoenix W 109–106 Gus Williams (22) John Johnson (10) John Johnson (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		26–14
41 January 14 Los Angeles L 99–108 Dennis Johnson (27) Shelton, Sikma (9) Williams (6) Kingdome
19,756 		26–15
42 January 17 @ Indiana W 112–102 27–15
43 January 20 @ Chicago W 107–101 28–15
44 January 23 @ Washington W 103–100 Gus Williams (24) Jack Sikma (8) John Johnson (4) Capital Centre
15,232 		29–15
45 January 25 @ Atlanta W 100–98 Gus Williams (28) Jack Sikma (15) Dennis Johnson (10) The Omni
4,576 		30–15
46 January 26 @ San Antonio L 108–125 Brown, Sikma (21) Jack Sikma (18) Brown, J. Johnson, Sikma (5) HemisFair Arena
13,659 		30–16
47 January 27 @ Houston W 99–94 31–16
48 January 31 Portland W 115–112 32–16
February: 6–9 (home: 5–1; road: 1–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
49 February 1 New Jersey W 107–102 33–16
50 February 2 Milwaukee W 104–102 34–16
All-Star Game
51 February 6 @ New York L 99–108 34–17
52 February 7 @ Boston L 100–107 34–18
53 February 9 @ Milwaukee L 116–118 (OT) 34–19
54 February 10 @ Houston L 101–113 34–20
55 February 14 Atlanta W 116–104 D. Johnson, Williams (22) D. Johnson, J. Johnson (9) Gus Williams (7) Kingdome
15,223 		35–20
56 February 16 Phoenix W 119–104 Dennis Johnson (30) Jack Sikma (15) Fred Brown (7) Kingdome
23,103 		36–20
57 February 18 Washington L 94–105 Gus Williams (22) Paul Silas (16) D. Johnson, Williams (5) Kingdome
21,935 		36–21
58 February 20 @ San Antonio L 102–118 Jack Sikma (20) Jack Sikma (11) D. Johnson, Silas, Walker, Williams (4) HemisFair Arena
11,765 		36–22
59 February 21 @ New Orleans W 96–94 37–22
60 February 23 @ Washington L 110–132 Paul Silas (16) Jack Sikma (11) Awtrey, Brown, J. Johnson, Silas, Snyder, Williams (3) Capital Centre
19,035 		37–23
61 February 25 @ Kansas City L 106–114 Gus Williams (33) Paul Silas (12) Gus Williams (6) Kemper Arena
14,059 		37–24
62 February 27 @ Denver L 106–121 37–25
63 February 28 Philadelphia W 97–93 Gus Williams (28) Jack Sikma (13) John Johnson (6) Kingdome
18,900 		38–25
March: 11–3 (home: 6–1; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
64 March 2 Cleveland L 109–111 38–26
65 March 4 Houston W 119–109 39–26
66 March 7 @ Detroit W 99–93 40–26
67 March 9 @ New Jersey W 108–100 41–26
68 March 11 @ Atlanta L 111–113 (OT) Gus Williams (32) Jack Sikma (18) Gus Williams (8) The Omni
10,533 		41–27
69 March 14 @ Philadelphia W 99–96 Gus Williams (23) Jack Sikma (13) J. Johnson, Sikma (6) The Spectrum
11,645 		42–27
70 March 15 @ Cleveland W 104–98 43–27
71 March 17 @ Chicago W 106–88 44–27
72 March 22 Boston W 112–110 45–27
73 March 25 Kansas City W 111–101 Gus Williams (38) Sikma, Silas (10) John Williams (8) Kingdome
21,497 		46–27
74 March 27 San Diego W 115–109 47–27
75 March 28 New York W 111–105 48–27
76 March 30 @ Phoenix L 111–113 (OT) Fred Brown (20) Lonnie Shelton (8) John Johnson (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		48–28
77 March 31 Detroit W 123–102 49–28
April: 3–2 (home: 1–0; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
78 April 1 Golden State W 102–97 50–28
79 April 3 @ Portland W 106–102 50–29
80 April 4 @ San Diego W 115–107 51–29
81 April 6 @ Los Angeles W 113–93 Gus Williams (31) Jack Sikma (12) Gus Williams (10) The Forum
14,343 		52–29
82 April 8 @ Golden State L 86–89 52–30
1978–79 schedule

Playoffs

The SuperSonics had a first round bye, then defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-finals, the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, and the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals.[1] Dennis Johnson of the SuperSonics was the Most Valuable Player of the Finals while teammate Gus Williams was the leading scorer, averaging 28.6 points per game.

1979 playoff game log
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 17 Los Angeles W 112–101 Dennis Johnson (26) Lonnie Shelton (12) John Johnson (9) Kingdome
26,377 		1–0
2 April 18 Los Angeles W 108–103 (OT) Gus Williams (38) Jack Sikma (10) Jack Sikma (8) Kingdome
26,862 		2–0
3 April 20 @ Los Angeles L 112–118 (OT) Gus Williams (29) Paul Silas (13) Paul Silas (4) The Forum
17,505 		2–1
4 April 22 @ Los Angeles W 117–115 Gus Williams (30) D. Johnson, Sikma (11) Dennis Johnson (7) The Forum
17,505 		3–1
5 April 25 Los Angeles W 106–100 Gus Williams (30) Jack Sikma (10) Jack Sikma (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098 		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 1 Phoenix W 108–93 Gus Williams (27) Jack Sikma (10) John Johnson (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098 		1–0
2 May 4 Phoenix W 103–97 John Johnson (21) Lonnie Shelton (15) Gus Williams (6) Kingdome
31,964 		2–0
3 May 6 @ Phoenix L 103–113 Gus Williams (22) J. Johnson, Sikma (9) Gus Williams (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		2–1
4 May 8 @ Phoenix L 91–100 Gus Williams (22) Lonnie Shelton (10) D. Johnson, J. Johnson, Shelton (3) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		2–2
5 May 11 Phoenix L 93–99 Dennis Johnson (24) Jack Sikma (12) John Johnson (5) Kingdome
28,935 		2–3
6 May 13 @ Phoenix W 106–105 Dennis Johnson (23) Jack Sikma (10) Dennis Johnson (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		3–3
7 May 17 Phoenix W 114–110 Jack Sikma (33) Jack Sikma (11) Fred Brown (5) Kingdome
37,552 		4–3
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–0; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 @ Washington L 97–99 Gus Williams (32) John Johnson (11) Dennis Johnson (7) Capital Centre
19,035 		0–1
2 May 24 @ Washington W 92–82 Gus Williams (23) Jack Sikma (13) D. Johnson, J. Johnson (6) Capital Centre
19,035 		1–1
3 May 27 Washington W 105–95 Gus Williams (31) Jack Sikma (17) Dennis Johnson (9) Kingdome
35,928 		2–1
4 May 29 Washington W 114–112 (OT) Gus Williams (36) Jack Sikma (17) John Johnson (13) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098 		3–1
5 June 1 @ Washington W 97–93 Gus Williams (23) Jack Sikma (17) John Johnson (6) Capital Centre
19,035 		4–1
1979 schedule

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ "1979 NBA Finals - SuperSonics vs. Bullets". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
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