The 1991-92 Seattle SuperSonics season marked a period of transition and growth for the team. The SuperSonics finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, securing the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Under the guidance of head coach George Karl, who took over mid-season, Seattle demonstrated significant improvement, especially on the defensive end, which became a hallmark of Karl’s coaching style.
The roster featured a mix of veteran presence and youthful talent. Key players included forward Derrick McKey, who provided versatility and defensive acumen, and guard Ricky Pierce, who led the team in scoring with averages eclipsing 20 points per game. The team also benefitted from the contributions of second-year point guard Gary Payton, who began to showcase the defensive skills that would later define his career.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics faced the Golden State Warriors in the first round. Seattle emerged victorious in this series, winning 3-1, showcasing their defensive prowess and ability to perform under pressure. However, their postseason run was halted in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Utah Jazz, who defeated them in five games. Despite the playoff exit, the season was a stepping stone for the SuperSonics, laying the groundwork for future successes as the team continued to develop its core of young talent. The 1991-92 season is often viewed as the start of a new era for the team, setting the stage for their competitive rise in the ensuing years.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1991-92 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Ricky Pierce | 78 | 21.7 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 26.8 | 9 | 19.6 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 27.3 |
| Eddie Johnson | 81 | 17.1 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 25.2 | 9 | 18.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 18.2 |
| Shawn Kemp | 64 | 15.5 | 10.4 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 9 | 17.4 | 12.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| Derrick McKey | 52 | 14.9 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 38.0 | 9 | 16.3 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 31.3 |
| Benoit Benjamin | 63 | 14.0 | 8.1 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 9 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Gary Payton | 81 | 9.4 | 3.6 | 6.2 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 13.0 | 8 | 7.6 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cage | 82 | 8.8 | 8.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 9 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Dana Barros | 75 | 8.3 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 44.6 | 7 | 7.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 58.8 |
| Nate McMillan | 72 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 27.6 | 9 | 9.6 | 3.7 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 23.1 |
| Tony Brown | 35 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 29.3 | 5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Quintin Dailey | 11 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Marty Conlon | 45 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rich King | 40 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bart Kofoed | 44 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1992 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Golden State Warriors
In the first round of the 1992 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced off against the Golden State Warriors in a tightly contested five-game series. Seattle, led by the dynamic duo of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, showcased their defensive prowess and athleticism to edge out the Warriors 3-1. This victory marked a significant step in the development of the young Sonics squad, setting the stage for their future as a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1992 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-109 | |
| Apr 25, 1992 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 115-101 | |
| Apr 28, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 129-128 | |
| Apr 30, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-116 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the 1992 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics made a surprising run to the second round, where they faced the Utah Jazz. Despite a spirited effort led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, the SuperSonics were ultimately outmatched by the Jazz's formidable duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, resulting in a 4-1 series defeat. This performance, however, laid the groundwork for Seattle's rise as a Western Conference powerhouse in the mid-1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 1992 | @ Utah Jazz | L 108-100 | |
| May 08, 1992 | @ Utah Jazz | L 103-97 | |
| May 10, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-98 | |
| May 12, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 89-83 | |
| May 14, 1992 | @ Utah Jazz | L 111-100 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1991-92 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1991-92 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-95 | |
| Nov 03, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-98 | |
| Nov 05, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-87 | |
| Nov 07, 1991 | @ Utah Jazz | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 09, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-111 | |
| Nov 14, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 115-109 | |
| Nov 15, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 124-108 | |
| Nov 17, 1991 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 101-91 | |
| Nov 19, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | W 113-106 | |
| Nov 20, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 91-86 | |
| Nov 22, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-109 | |
| Nov 24, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 89-86 | |
| Nov 26, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 136-130 | |
| Nov 29, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 101-90 | |
| Nov 30, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 119-101 | |
| Dec 03, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 91-90 | |
| Dec 06, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 96-94 | |
| Dec 07, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-101 | |
| Dec 10, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 108-103 | |
| Dec 11, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | L 96-87 | |
| Dec 13, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-97 | |
| Dec 14, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 104-95 | |
| Dec 17, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-99 | |
| Dec 19, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-106 | |
| Dec 21, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-112 | |
| Dec 22, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-87 | |
| Dec 26, 1991 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 115-106 | |
| Dec 27, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-87 | |
| Jan 02, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-109 | |
| Jan 04, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-93 | |
| Jan 07, 1992 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 106-99 | |
| Jan 08, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-103 | |
| Jan 10, 1992 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 94-82 | |
| Jan 11, 1992 | @ Houston Rockets | L 119-115 | |
| Jan 13, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 98-94 | |
| Jan 14, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-116 | |
| Jan 16, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-98 | |
| Jan 18, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-108 | |
| Jan 20, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-110 | |
| Jan 21, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-119 | |
| Jan 23, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-109 | |
| Jan 25, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-103 | |
| Jan 28, 1992 | @ Orlando Magic | W 102-97 | |
| Jan 29, 1992 | @ Miami Heat | L 119-114 | |
| Jan 31, 1992 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 122-105 | |
| Feb 02, 1992 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 122-106 | |
| Feb 03, 1992 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 112-110 | |
| Feb 05, 1992 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 95-85 | |
| Feb 11, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-99 | |
| Feb 14, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-91 | |
| Feb 15, 1992 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 140-122 | |
| Feb 17, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-96 | |
| Feb 20, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-103 | |
| Feb 22, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-104 | |
| Feb 24, 1992 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 106-91 | |
| Feb 27, 1992 | @ Utah Jazz | W 130-124 | |
| Feb 29, 1992 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 115-110 | |
| Mar 01, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-107 | |
| Mar 03, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-92 | |
| Mar 05, 1992 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-105 | |
| Mar 07, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-98 | |
| Mar 08, 1992 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-97 | |
| Mar 10, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-92 | |
| Mar 11, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 104-96 | |
| Mar 15, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-100 | |
| Mar 17, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-107 | |
| Mar 19, 1992 | @ Houston Rockets | W 112-91 | |
| Mar 21, 1992 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 101-96 | |
| Mar 22, 1992 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 113-105 | |
| Mar 24, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 128-106 | |
| Mar 27, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 96-95 | |
| Mar 28, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 92-87 | |
| Mar 31, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 122-103 | |
| Apr 02, 1992 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 111-103 | |
| Apr 03, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 96-91 | |
| Apr 07, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-88 | |
| Apr 09, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-104 | |
| Apr 10, 1992 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 113-106 | |
| Apr 12, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 126-116 | |
| Apr 14, 1992 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 122-100 | |
| Apr 17, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 130-106 | |
| Apr 19, 1992 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 108-106 |