The 1972-73 Seattle SuperSonics season marked the franchise’s sixth year in the NBA. The team, coached by Tom Nissalke, aimed to improve upon their previous record but faced challenges in the highly competitive Western Conference. The SuperSonics played their home games at the Seattle Center Coliseum, a key venue for the team’s fan base.
Throughout the season, the SuperSonics struggled to find consistency, ending with a record of 26-56. This performance placed them fourth in the Pacific Division, significantly behind their divisional rivals. Despite the team’s struggles, Spencer Haywood emerged as a standout player, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Haywood’s contributions were critical, but the overall team performance was insufficient to secure a playoff berth.
The season was characterized by a series of challenges, including injuries and a lack of depth in the roster. The SuperSonics’ inability to maintain a strong defensive presence and their inconsistent offensive output contributed to their disappointing record. The team struggled particularly on the road, which further hampered their playoff aspirations.
As the season concluded, the SuperSonics were left to reassess and regroup for the following year. The 1972-73 season underscored the need for strategic changes and roster improvements to become more competitive in the league. Despite the setbacks, the foundation was laid for future growth and development within the organization.
- Regular Season Record: 26-56
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1972-73 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Spencer Haywood | 77 | 29.2 | 12.9 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dick Snyder | 82 | 13.8 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Fred Brown | 79 | 13.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Brisker | 70 | 12.8 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jim Fox | 74 | 11.4 | 11.2 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Butch Beard | 73 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Lee Winfield | 53 | 6.6 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bud Stallworth | 77 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jim McDaniels | 68 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kenny McIntosh | 56 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Joby Wright | 77 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Gar Heard | 3 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Charles Dudley | 12 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Pete Cross | 26 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Seattle SuperSonics 1972-73 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1972-73 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 1972 | @ New York Knicks | L 113-89 | |
| Oct 11, 1972 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 105-100 | |
| Oct 13, 1972 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 92-84 | |
| Oct 20, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-92 | |
| Oct 21, 1972 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 129-117 | |
| Oct 22, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-119 | |
| Oct 25, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 118-115 | |
| Oct 27, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-115 | |
| Oct 29, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 95-94 | |
| Nov 01, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-106 | |
| Nov 03, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-80 | |
| Nov 05, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 124-115 | |
| Nov 08, 1972 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-103 | |
| Nov 10, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-106 | |
| Nov 12, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-107 | |
| Nov 14, 1972 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 97-80 | |
| Nov 15, 1972 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 106-97 | |
| Nov 17, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-92 | |
| Nov 18, 1972 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-100 | |
| Nov 19, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-84 | |
| Nov 21, 1972 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 98-88 | |
| Nov 22, 1972 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 112-90 | |
| Nov 23, 1972 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 110-97 | |
| Nov 25, 1972 | @ Houston Rockets | L 114-109 | |
| Nov 26, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-96 | |
| Nov 29, 1972 | @ Boston Celtics | L 120-98 | |
| Dec 01, 1972 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 93-90 | |
| Dec 02, 1972 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 89-80 | |
| Dec 03, 1972 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 105-103 | |
| Dec 06, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 95-91 | |
| Dec 08, 1972 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-100 | |
| Dec 10, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-102 | |
| Dec 13, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-103 | |
| Dec 15, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-95 | |
| Dec 17, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 123-98 | |
| Dec 19, 1972 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 121-77 | |
| Dec 20, 1972 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 121-110 | |
| Dec 22, 1972 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 109-97 | |
| Dec 25, 1972 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-113 | |
| Dec 26, 1972 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 97-95 | |
| Dec 29, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-91 | |
| Jan 01, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-103 | |
| Jan 03, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-100 | |
| Jan 05, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-96 | |
| Jan 07, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 85-82 | |
| Jan 10, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-86 | |
| Jan 12, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-104 | |
| Jan 14, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 86-84 | |
| Jan 16, 1973 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 125-122 | |
| Jan 17, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 106-104 | |
| Jan 19, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 124-104 | |
| Jan 20, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 126-106 | |
| Jan 25, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 112-109 | |
| Jan 28, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 130-94 | |
| Jan 31, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-109 | |
| Feb 02, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-104 | |
| Feb 03, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 123-101 | |
| Feb 04, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 120-98 | |
| Feb 06, 1973 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 118-117 | |
| Feb 08, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 125-112 | |
| Feb 11, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-125 | |
| Feb 13, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-98 | |
| Feb 14, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 107-106 | |
| Feb 16, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-108 | |
| Feb 18, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-105 | |
| Feb 21, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | L 139-107 | |
| Feb 23, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-120 | |
| Feb 25, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 88-85 | |
| Feb 27, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 131-130 | |
| Feb 28, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 124-110 | |
| Mar 02, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 139-120 | |
| Mar 03, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 115-113 | |
| Mar 06, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | L 106-94 | |
| Mar 10, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-96 | |
| Mar 13, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-89 | |
| Mar 16, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-106 | |
| Mar 18, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-112 | |
| Mar 20, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 114-106 | |
| Mar 21, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-96 | |
| Mar 23, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 118-112 | |
| Mar 25, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-93 | |
| Mar 28, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 127-125 |