The 1982-83 Seattle SuperSonics season marked a year of transition for the franchise. Under the direction of head coach Lenny Wilkens, the team aimed to improve upon their previous season’s performance. The SuperSonics ended the regular season with a record of 48 wins and 34 losses, securing a third-place finish in the Pacific Division and a playoff spot in the Western Conference. This record demonstrated a competitive edge but also highlighted the challenges faced in a tough division.
The roster included standout performances from key players such as Jack Sikma, who was instrumental in both scoring and rebounding, and Gus Williams, who provided leadership and consistency in the backcourt. The team’s balanced approach was evident in their offensive and defensive strategies, which were designed to leverage the talents of their roster effectively.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. They managed to defeat Portland in a closely contested series, advancing to the conference semifinals. However, their playoff journey ended there, as they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in a series that underscored the need for further development and depth on the roster.
Overall, the 1982-83 season was one of solid performance for the Seattle SuperSonics. It laid the groundwork for future improvements and highlighted areas requiring attention for the team to become a stronger contender in subsequent seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 48-34
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 0-2
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1982-83 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gus Williams | 80 | 20.0 | 2.6 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 5.3 | 2 | 32.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jack Sikma | 75 | 18.2 | 11.4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2 | 15.0 | 13.0 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| David Thompson | 75 | 15.9 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 20.0 | 2 | 12.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Lonnie Shelton | 82 | 12.4 | 6.0 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 16.7 | 2 | 5.0 | 10.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Fred Brown | 80 | 10.2 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 43.8 | 2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| James Donaldson | 82 | 8.9 | 6.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 2 | 12.0 | 8.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Greg Kelser | 80 | 8.3 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Vranes | 82 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 2 | 6.0 | 9.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Phil Smith | 79 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 37.5 | 2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Hawes | 31 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 50.0 | 2 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ray Tolbert | 45 | 5.0 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mark Radford | 54 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Greig | 9 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1983 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1983 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced a formidable challenge in the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite their efforts, the SuperSonics were unable to advance, losing the series 2-1. The Blazers' strong defensive play and clutch performances ultimately edged out Seattle, ending their postseason run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-97 | |
| Apr 22, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 105-96 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1982-83 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1982-83 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 128-95 | |
| Oct 31, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 127-109 | |
| Nov 02, 1982 | @ Utah Jazz | W 120-92 | |
| Nov 03, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-107 | |
| Nov 05, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-103 | |
| Nov 07, 1982 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-90 | |
| Nov 09, 1982 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 112-111 | |
| Nov 10, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 94-91 | |
| Nov 13, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 107-98 | |
| Nov 14, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | W 102-99 | |
| Nov 17, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-97 | |
| Nov 19, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-94 | |
| Nov 21, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-91 | |
| Nov 24, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-93 | |
| Nov 26, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-106 | |
| Nov 27, 1982 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 133-118 | |
| Dec 01, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 131-110 | |
| Dec 05, 1982 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 106-103 | |
| Dec 07, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | W 107-88 | |
| Dec 08, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 110-94 | |
| Dec 10, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-100 | |
| Dec 14, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-109 | |
| Dec 16, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-93 | |
| Dec 17, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 93-90 | |
| Dec 18, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 121-107 | |
| Dec 21, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 23, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-95 | |
| Dec 25, 1982 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 95-88 | |
| Dec 26, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 88-87 | |
| Dec 29, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-92 | |
| Dec 30, 1982 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 137-117 | |
| Jan 02, 1983 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 116-99 | |
| Jan 05, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-104 | |
| Jan 08, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 110-104 | |
| Jan 09, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-101 | |
| Jan 11, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 131-119 | |
| Jan 13, 1983 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 102-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-99 | |
| Jan 16, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-96 | |
| Jan 19, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 116-111 | |
| Jan 21, 1983 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 130-117 | |
| Jan 23, 1983 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 105-102 | |
| Jan 26, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 118-109 | |
| Jan 27, 1983 | @ Washington Bullets | L 99-86 | |
| Jan 29, 1983 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 89-88 | |
| Feb 02, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-114 | |
| Feb 04, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-103 | |
| Feb 06, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-96 | |
| Feb 08, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 121-118 | |
| Feb 09, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 134-125 | |
| Feb 10, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | W 105-99 | |
| Feb 16, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-100 | |
| Feb 18, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-112 | |
| Feb 20, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-112 | |
| Feb 22, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-101 | |
| Feb 24, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 138-129 | |
| Feb 25, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 27, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-98 | |
| Mar 01, 1983 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 119-104 | |
| Mar 02, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 108-105 | |
| Mar 05, 1983 | @ Houston Rockets | W 126-103 | |
| Mar 08, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | L 107-98 | |
| Mar 09, 1983 | @ Boston Celtics | W 112-106 | |
| Mar 11, 1983 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 127-121 | |
| Mar 13, 1983 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 120-115 | |
| Mar 16, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-102 | |
| Mar 18, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 147-117 | |
| Mar 20, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 128-116 | |
| Mar 22, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 123-108 | |
| Mar 23, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 137-117 | |
| Mar 25, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-104 | |
| Mar 27, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | W 122-108 | |
| Mar 30, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 135-124 | |
| Apr 01, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-95 | |
| Apr 04, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-111 | |
| Apr 05, 1983 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 115-109 | |
| Apr 07, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-96 | |
| Apr 10, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-93 | |
| Apr 12, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-101 | |
| Apr 13, 1983 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-96 | |
| Apr 15, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-99 | |
| Apr 16, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 133-122 |