The 1979-80 season for the Seattle SuperSonics was a follow-up to their championship-winning campaign the previous year. The team, led by head coach Lenny Wilkens, aimed to defend their NBA title with a strong roster that remained largely intact.
During the regular season, the SuperSonics finished with a solid 56-26 record, securing second place in the Pacific Division behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Key players such as Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, and Jack Sikma continued to perform at a high level, providing the team with both scoring and defensive prowess. Williams emerged as the leading scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game, while Sikma dominated the boards, averaging 11.1 rebounds per game.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics entered with high expectations. They faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals, winning the series 4-1. However, their title defense ended in the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Lakers in a hard-fought five-game series. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, proved too formidable for Seattle, ultimately advancing to win the NBA Championship.
Despite falling short of consecutive titles, the 1979-80 season demonstrated the SuperSonics’ status as a formidable team in the NBA, maintaining their competitiveness at the top levels of the league. Their performance in this season set the stage for continued success in the early 1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 56-26
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Western Conference Finals: 1-4
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1979-80 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gus Williams | 82 | 22.1 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 20.0 | 15 | 23.7 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| Dennis Johnson | 81 | 19.0 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.0 | 15 | 17.1 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 33.3 |
| Jack Sikma | 82 | 14.3 | 11.1 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 15 | 11.7 | 8.4 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Lonnie Shelton | 76 | 13.6 | 7.7 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 20.1 | 15 | 12.0 | 8.3 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Fred Brown | 80 | 12.0 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 44.3 | 15 | 12.5 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 29.4 |
| John Johnson | 81 | 11.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 15 | 12.4 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Tom LaGarde | 82 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 14 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wally Walker | 70 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| James Bailey | 67 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 12 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Paul Silas | 82 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Vinnie Johnson | 38 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1980 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Despite being defending champions, the SuperSonics were pushed to the limit but ultimately prevailed in a tightly contested three-game series, winning 2-1. Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were instrumental, showcasing their playoff experience and tenacity to advance Seattle to the Western Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 02, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-110 | |
| Apr 04, 1980 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 105-95 | |
| Apr 06, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-86 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite their strong regular-season performance, the Sonics struggled against the Bucks, losing the series 4-3 in a tightly contested battle. The series showcased the Sonics' resilience but ultimately highlighted their difficulty in overcoming Milwaukee's balanced attack, preventing them from advancing further in their title defense.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 08, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-113 | |
| Apr 09, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-112 | |
| Apr 11, 1980 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 95-91 | |
| Apr 13, 1980 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-107 | |
| Apr 15, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-97 | |
| Apr 18, 1980 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 86-85 | |
| Apr 20, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-94 |
1980 Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics reached the Western Conference Finals but were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in a hard-fought five-game series. Despite their impressive performance throughout the season, the SuperSonics struggled to contain the Lakers' star duo of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. This series marked the end of Seattle's bid to defend their 1979 NBA Championship title.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 108-107 | |
| Apr 23, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-99 | |
| Apr 25, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-100 | |
| Apr 27, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-93 | |
| Apr 30, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-105 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1979-80 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1979-80 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 98-93 | |
| Oct 16, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 102-86 | |
| Oct 17, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-110 | |
| Oct 19, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-98 | |
| Oct 21, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-97 | |
| Oct 24, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-92 | |
| Oct 26, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 92-86 | |
| Oct 27, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 110-105 | |
| Oct 28, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-97 | |
| Oct 31, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 97-89 | |
| Nov 02, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-107 | |
| Nov 04, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 114-101 | |
| Nov 06, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 114-97 | |
| Nov 07, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-92 | |
| Nov 10, 1979 | @ Utah Jazz | W 88-87 | |
| Nov 14, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 136-117 | |
| Nov 16, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-100 | |
| Nov 17, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 108-103 | |
| Nov 18, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 100-95 | |
| Nov 21, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-110 | |
| Nov 23, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 94-90 | |
| Nov 28, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-116 | |
| Nov 30, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 107-102 | |
| Dec 01, 1979 | @ Utah Jazz | L 97-95 | |
| Dec 02, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-98 | |
| Dec 05, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-96 | |
| Dec 08, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 125-100 | |
| Dec 09, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 121-112 | |
| Dec 11, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-99 | |
| Dec 12, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 112-107 | |
| Dec 14, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-101 | |
| Dec 16, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-121 | |
| Dec 19, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-114 | |
| Dec 21, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-102 | |
| Dec 23, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 102-97 | |
| Dec 26, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-104 | |
| Dec 28, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 126-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-100 | |
| Jan 02, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 139-134 | |
| Jan 04, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-105 | |
| Jan 05, 1980 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 121-112 | |
| Jan 06, 1980 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 105-103 | |
| Jan 09, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-111 | |
| Jan 11, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-90 | |
| Jan 12, 1980 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 105-102 | |
| Jan 13, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-101 | |
| Jan 15, 1980 | @ Washington Bullets | W 120-100 | |
| Jan 18, 1980 | @ New York Knicks | W 124-117 | |
| Jan 20, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | W 108-106 | |
| Jan 23, 1980 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 98-96 | |
| Jan 25, 1980 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 125-116 | |
| Jan 26, 1980 | @ Houston Rockets | L 123-111 | |
| Jan 30, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-97 | |
| Jan 31, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-101 | |
| Feb 05, 1980 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 123-121 | |
| Feb 07, 1980 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 119-102 | |
| Feb 08, 1980 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 109-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1980 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 122-107 | |
| Feb 13, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 93-86 | |
| Feb 14, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 93-84 | |
| Feb 17, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-108 | |
| Feb 19, 1980 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 115-106 | |
| Feb 20, 1980 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 107-105 | |
| Feb 23, 1980 | @ Utah Jazz | W 105-95 | |
| Feb 26, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 131-108 | |
| Feb 27, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-98 | |
| Feb 29, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-101 | |
| Mar 02, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-91 | |
| Mar 04, 1980 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 98-97 | |
| Mar 05, 1980 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 127-111 | |
| Mar 08, 1980 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 104-97 | |
| Mar 09, 1980 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 113-93 | |
| Mar 12, 1980 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 112-103 | |
| Mar 14, 1980 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 122-101 | |
| Mar 19, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-106 | |
| Mar 21, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-104 | |
| Mar 22, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-92 | |
| Mar 23, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-90 | |
| Mar 25, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-95 | |
| Mar 26, 1980 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-99 | |
| Mar 28, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-82 | |
| Mar 30, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 135-104 |