The 1998-99 Seattle SuperSonics experienced a season of transition and moderate success. With a shortened 50-game schedule due to a lockout, the team faced challenges right out of the gate. Paul Westphal took over as head coach, succeeding George Karl, which marked a shift in the team’s leadership dynamics.
Seattle finished the regular season with a 25-25 record, placing them fourth in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference. Key players included Gary Payton, who continued to be the team’s cornerstone with his leadership and defensive prowess. Payton averaged 21.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, maintaining his status as one of the league’s elite point guards.
Vin Baker provided support in the frontcourt, though his performance saw a decline compared to previous seasons, averaging 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Sonics also benefited from the contributions of Detlef Schrempf and Hersey Hawkins, offering veteran experience and scoring depth. Rookie Rashard Lewis showed promise in limited minutes, hinting at his future potential.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics faced the second-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Seattle was eliminated in four games, losing the series 3-1. This early exit highlighted the team’s need for further adjustments and growth. Despite the challenges, the season laid groundwork for future changes, with the team looking to rebuild and improve in subsequent years.
- Regular Season Record: 25-25
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1998-99 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gary Payton | 50 | 21.7 | 4.9 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 29.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Detlef Schrempf | 50 | 15.0 | 7.4 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 39.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Vin Baker | 34 | 13.8 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Don MacLean | 17 | 10.9 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 27.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Hersey Hawkins | 50 | 10.3 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 30.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dale Ellis | 48 | 10.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 43.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Billy Owens | 21 | 7.8 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 45.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Olden Polynice | 48 | 7.7 | 8.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Crotty | 24 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 37.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Vladimir Stepania | 23 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jelani McCoy | 26 | 5.1 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Aaron Williams | 40 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Moochie Norris | 12 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| James Cotton | 10 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rashard Lewis | 20 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Drew Barry | 17 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Seattle SuperSonics 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-86 | |
| Feb 07, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 91-88 | |
| Feb 09, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 90-71 | |
| Feb 10, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 89-82 | |
| Feb 13, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-92 | |
| Feb 16, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 71-56 | |
| Feb 17, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-106 | |
| Feb 20, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 110-80 | |
| Feb 21, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-89 | |
| Feb 23, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 98-86 | |
| Feb 24, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 99-81 | |
| Feb 26, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-82 | |
| Mar 01, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 105-102 | |
| Mar 04, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-93 | |
| Mar 05, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 103-100 | |
| Mar 07, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 88-77 | |
| Mar 09, 1999 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 85-84 | |
| Mar 10, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 101-97 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 92-83 | |
| Mar 14, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-89 | |
| Mar 16, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 87-85 | |
| Mar 19, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 90-78 | |
| Mar 21, 1999 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 102-98 | |
| Mar 22, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-76 | |
| Mar 24, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-92 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-98 | |
| Mar 28, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 104-87 | |
| Mar 29, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 109-101 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 95-87 | |
| Apr 01, 1999 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-110 | |
| Apr 02, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-95 | |
| Apr 04, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-84 | |
| Apr 06, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-106 | |
| Apr 08, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 87-86 | |
| Apr 09, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 98-93 | |
| Apr 11, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-109 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-94 | |
| Apr 15, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 99-98 | |
| Apr 16, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 121-91 | |
| Apr 18, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 99-93 | |
| Apr 19, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 120-113 | |
| Apr 21, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-105 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 97-84 | |
| Apr 25, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 98-81 | |
| Apr 27, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 90-85 | |
| Apr 28, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-84 | |
| Apr 30, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-101 | |
| May 02, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 91-84 | |
| May 04, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-100 | |
| May 05, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 107-105 |