The 1990-91 Seattle SuperSonics season marked a transitional period for the franchise. The team ended the regular season with a 41-41 record, finishing fifth in the Pacific Division. This performance secured them the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Under the leadership of head coach K.C. Jones, the Sonics faced challenges in maintaining consistent performance throughout the season.
The roster featured standout players such as Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. Kemp, in his sophomore season, began to emerge as a dynamic force, known for his athleticism and energizing dunks, while rookie Payton started to showcase the defensive skills that would later earn him the nickname “The Glove.” Additionally, Derrick McKey and Eddie Johnson provided valuable contributions, with Johnson leading the team in scoring, averaging 21.0 points per game.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics faced the top-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, the Sonics were swept in three games, unable to contain Portland’s powerful lineup led by Clyde Drexler. This early exit highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in terms of depth and consistency.
Overall, the 1990-91 season was a developmental phase for Seattle, setting the foundation for future success as Kemp and Payton both gained valuable experience. The SuperSonics would build on this groundwork in subsequent seasons, eventually becoming a formidable team in the NBA during the mid-1990s.
- Regular Season Record: 41-41
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-3
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1990-91 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Xavier McDaniel | 15 | 21.8 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ricky Pierce | 32 | 17.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 39.1 | 5 | 11.4 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 30.0 |
| Eddie Johnson | 66 | 17.4 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 5 | 24.0 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 26.7 |
| Derrick McKey | 73 | 15.3 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 21.1 | 4 | 9.5 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dale Ellis | 30 | 15.0 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 30.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Shawn Kemp | 81 | 15.0 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 16.7 | 5 | 13.2 | 7.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Benoit Benjamin | 31 | 12.9 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 5 | 13.8 | 6.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
| Sedale Threatt | 80 | 12.7 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 28.6 | 5 | 14.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 36.4 |
| Olden Polynice | 48 | 8.3 | 5.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Gary Payton | 82 | 7.2 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 7.7 | 5 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cage | 82 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 5 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Dana Barros | 66 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 39.5 | 3 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Quintin Dailey | 30 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Nate McMillan | 78 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 35.4 | 5 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Dave Corzine | 28 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Meents | 13 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 100.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1991 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, the Sonics were swept in a best-of-five series, 3-0, by a Trail Blazers team that showcased superior depth and experience. The series highlighted the Sonics' need for further development to become a formidable postseason contender.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-102 | |
| Apr 28, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-106 | |
| Apr 30, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-99 | |
| May 02, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-89 | |
| May 04, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-107 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1990-91 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1990-91 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-106 | |
| Nov 06, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-92 | |
| Nov 09, 1990 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 135-129 | |
| Nov 10, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-100 | |
| Nov 13, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-110 | |
| Nov 17, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-95 | |
| Nov 18, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 78-65 | |
| Nov 20, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-88 | |
| Nov 23, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | L 97-96 | |
| Nov 27, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 124-111 | |
| Nov 29, 1990 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 128-110 | |
| Dec 01, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 130-124 | |
| Dec 03, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 135-102 | |
| Dec 04, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-102 | |
| Dec 06, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 105-103 | |
| Dec 07, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | L 106-100 | |
| Dec 09, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-99 | |
| Dec 12, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-90 | |
| Dec 13, 1990 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 129-106 | |
| Dec 15, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-105 | |
| Dec 18, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 122-105 | |
| Dec 20, 1990 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 110-75 | |
| Dec 22, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-93 | |
| Dec 26, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-97 | |
| Dec 27, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 125-120 | |
| Dec 29, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 116-91 | |
| Dec 30, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 126-106 | |
| Jan 02, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-99 | |
| Jan 04, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-86 | |
| Jan 06, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 114-111 | |
| Jan 08, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 96-88 | |
| Jan 10, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-103 | |
| Jan 12, 1991 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 101-85 | |
| Jan 15, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 146-99 | |
| Jan 18, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 105-96 | |
| Jan 19, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-89 | |
| Jan 22, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 132-101 | |
| Jan 25, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 128-113 | |
| Jan 26, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-102 | |
| Jan 28, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 119-107 | |
| Jan 29, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 117-112 | |
| Jan 31, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | W 97-94 | |
| Feb 02, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 106-100 | |
| Feb 04, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 100-93 | |
| Feb 06, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-104 | |
| Feb 12, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-111 | |
| Feb 14, 1991 | @ Orlando Magic | W 102-90 | |
| Feb 16, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 122-113 | |
| Feb 18, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 85-83 | |
| Feb 19, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-104 | |
| Feb 21, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | W 120-101 | |
| Feb 23, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 120-110 | |
| Feb 24, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-91 | |
| Feb 26, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 93-81 | |
| Mar 01, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 122-105 | |
| Mar 02, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-106 | |
| Mar 04, 1991 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 105-99 | |
| Mar 05, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-111 | |
| Mar 07, 1991 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 91-86 | |
| Mar 09, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 112-99 | |
| Mar 12, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | L 93-91 | |
| Mar 13, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 98-96 | |
| Mar 15, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-96 | |
| Mar 16, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-98 | |
| Mar 20, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-106 | |
| Mar 22, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 111-105 | |
| Mar 24, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-96 | |
| Mar 26, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 126-113 | |
| Mar 27, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-107 | |
| Mar 29, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-107 | |
| Mar 30, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-102 | |
| Apr 03, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-91 | |
| Apr 05, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 109-90 | |
| Apr 07, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 124-117 | |
| Apr 08, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-112 | |
| Apr 10, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 140-108 | |
| Apr 12, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-99 | |
| Apr 13, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-96 | |
| Apr 15, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-93 | |
| Apr 18, 1991 | @ Utah Jazz | L 130-103 | |
| Apr 19, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-93 | |
| Apr 21, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 103-100 |