The 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics season marked a significant milestone in the franchise’s history as they secured their first and only NBA Championship. Under the guidance of head coach Lenny Wilkens, the Sonics built on the momentum from the previous season, where they reached the NBA Finals but fell short.
Seattle finished the regular season with a 52-30 record, ranking first in the Pacific Division. They were anchored by a strong defensive unit, which was the best in the league, allowing only 105.9 points per game. Key players included Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams, who played pivotal roles in both ends of the court. Jack Sikma provided a formidable presence in the paint, while Fred Brown added scoring depth.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics displayed resilience and tactical prowess. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals and overcame the Phoenix Suns in the Conference Finals. The NBA Finals saw Seattle face the Washington Bullets, a rematch from the previous year. The SuperSonics dominated the series, winning 4-1, with Dennis Johnson earning the Finals MVP for his outstanding performance.
The 1978-79 season remains a landmark achievement for the Seattle SuperSonics, celebrated for their defensive strength and balanced team play. This championship run solidified their place in NBA history and remains a cherished memory for Seattle sports fans.
- Regular Season Record: 52-30
- Playoff Result: Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 4-3, NBA Finals: 4-1
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1978-79 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gus Williams | 76 | 19.2 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 17 | 26.7 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Johnson | 80 | 15.9 | 4.7 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 17 | 20.9 | 6.1 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Jack Sikma | 82 | 15.6 | 12.4 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 17 | 14.8 | 11.7 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Fred Brown | 77 | 14.0 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 17 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Lonnie Shelton | 76 | 13.5 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 17 | 12.9 | 8.4 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Tom LaGarde | 23 | 11.0 | 8.3 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Johnson | 82 | 11.0 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 17 | 12.2 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Wally Walker | 60 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 13 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Paul Silas | 82 | 5.6 | 7.0 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 17 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Lars Hansen | 15 | 5.1 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Joe Hassett | 56 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jackie Robinson | 12 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dick Snyder | 56 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 9 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Awtrey | 40 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 16 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1979 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics showcased a remarkable performance in the second round by defeating the Phoenix Suns in a tightly contested series that went to seven games. Led by key players like Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson, the SuperSonics demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess, ultimately propelling them toward their first NBA Championship. This victory was pivotal, setting the stage for their triumph in the Finals against the Washington Bullets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-101 | |
| Apr 18, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-103 | |
| Apr 20, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-112 | |
| Apr 22, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-115 | |
| Apr 25, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-100 |
1979 Conference Championship vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics showcased their resilience and skill in the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. After a hard-fought series, the Sonics emerged victorious, winning in seven games, thanks to the pivotal performances of Gus Williams, Jack Sikma, and Dennis Johnson. This triumph propelled them to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately captured their first and only championship.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 01, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-93 | |
| May 04, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-97 | |
| May 06, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 113-103 | |
| May 08, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 100-91 | |
| May 11, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-93 | |
| May 13, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 106-105 | |
| May 17, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-110 |
1979 NBA Finals vs. Washington Bullets
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | L 99-97 | |
| May 24, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | W 92-82 | |
| May 27, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-95 | |
| May 29, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-112 | |
| Jun 01, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | W 97-93 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1978-79 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1978-79 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-86 | |
| Oct 15, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-105 | |
| Oct 17, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | W 120-109 | |
| Oct 18, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 99-92 | |
| Oct 20, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 133-117 | |
| Oct 25, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-92 | |
| Oct 27, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 80-79 | |
| Oct 29, 1978 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 103-100 | |
| Nov 02, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 95-94 | |
| Nov 03, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 102-81 | |
| Nov 08, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-100 | |
| Nov 10, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-95 | |
| Nov 15, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 135-118 | |
| Nov 17, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 126-115 | |
| Nov 18, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 112-104 | |
| Nov 19, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 88-85 | |
| Nov 22, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-96 | |
| Nov 24, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 103-100 | |
| Nov 25, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 110-104 | |
| Nov 26, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-103 | |
| Nov 29, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 125-111 | |
| Dec 01, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | L 87-80 | |
| Dec 02, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-97 | |
| Dec 08, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-106 | |
| Dec 10, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-99 | |
| Dec 13, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-107 | |
| Dec 15, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-98 | |
| Dec 17, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 101-91 | |
| Dec 19, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 128-99 | |
| Dec 20, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 114-95 | |
| Dec 22, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 103-95 | |
| Dec 25, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 123-118 | |
| Dec 27, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 122-103 | |
| Dec 29, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-92 | |
| Jan 01, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-97 | |
| Jan 02, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 109-108 | |
| Jan 03, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-116 | |
| Jan 05, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 95-92 | |
| Jan 10, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-98 | |
| Jan 11, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 109-106 | |
| Jan 14, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-99 | |
| Jan 17, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 112-102 | |
| Jan 20, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 107-101 | |
| Jan 23, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | W 103-100 | |
| Jan 25, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 100-98 | |
| Jan 26, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 125-108 | |
| Jan 27, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | W 99-94 | |
| Jan 31, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-112 | |
| Feb 01, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-102 | |
| Feb 02, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-102 | |
| Feb 06, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | L 108-99 | |
| Feb 07, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | L 107-100 | |
| Feb 09, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-116 | |
| Feb 10, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 113-101 | |
| Feb 14, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-104 | |
| Feb 16, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-104 | |
| Feb 18, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-94 | |
| Feb 20, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 118-102 | |
| Feb 21, 1979 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 96-94 | |
| Feb 23, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | L 132-110 | |
| Feb 25, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 114-106 | |
| Feb 27, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 121-106 | |
| Feb 28, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 97-93 | |
| Mar 02, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 04, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-109 | |
| Mar 07, 1979 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-93 | |
| Mar 09, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 108-100 | |
| Mar 11, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 113-111 | |
| Mar 14, 1979 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 99-96 | |
| Mar 15, 1979 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 104-98 | |
| Mar 17, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-88 | |
| Mar 22, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-110 | |
| Mar 25, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-101 | |
| Mar 27, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-109 | |
| Mar 28, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-105 | |
| Mar 30, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 113-111 | |
| Mar 31, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-102 | |
| Apr 01, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-97 | |
| Apr 03, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 106-102 | |
| Apr 04, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 115-107 | |
| Apr 06, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-93 | |
| Apr 08, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 89-86 |