Seattle SuperSonics History
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April 6, 1980 The Sonics eliminate Portland from the playoffs with a 103-86 victory in Game 3 of the first round at the Kingdome. April 15, 1980 The Sonics set a then-NBA record for largest attendance as 40,172 fans pack the Kingdome to see the team fall to Milwaukee in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals and trail in the series 3-2. April 20, 1980 After winning Game 6 in Milwaukee, the Sonics eliminate the Bucks from the playoffs in a decisive Game 7 with a 98-94 victory at the Seattle Coliseum. April 22, 1980 Seattle defeats Los Angeles at the Forum 108-107 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. April 30, 1980 The Sonics are eliminated from the playoffs by Los Angeles after losing their fourth straight game, 111-105. June 3, 1980 In a trade of All-Star guards, the Sonics send Dennis Johnson to the Phoenix Suns for Paul Westphal. July 25, 1980 In a reversal of the Marvin Webster compensation case, NBA Commissioner Larry O’Brien awards Seattle’s 1981 first-round draft pick to the New York Knicks. August 8, 1980 The Sonics sign their first-round draft pick Bill Hanzlik to a two-year contract. October 10, 1980 A crowd of 35,233, the largest of the 1980-81 season, watches the Sonics lose to the Los Angeles in the nationally televised season opener. October 28, 1980 Paul Westphal is placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right foot. November 4, 1980 Lonnie Shelton is suspended for two games by Head Coach Lenny Wilkens. December 9,1980 Negotiations with Gus Williams break off after the Sonics nearly sign him in Portland prior to a contest with the Trail Blazers. December 18, 1980 Paul Westphal is reactivated after missing 25 games on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right foot. December 31, 1980 Special Master Telford Taylor rules that the Sonics have lost the right of compensation for Gus Williams after the 1980-81 season. The Sonics plan to appeal the decision. January 3, 1981 The Sonics miss a flight to Phoenix for game with the Suns due to fog. The game is rescheduled for January 13. January 6, 1981 Jack Sikma is named the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s Sports Start of the Year at an awards banquet at the Kingdome. February 1, 1981 Jack Sikma and Paul Westphal participate on the West team at the NBA All-Star Game in Richfield, Ohio. The East wins 123-120. February 18, 1981 Paul Westphal is lost for the season with a recurrence of the stress fracture in his right foot. March 29, 1981 The Sonics finish the season with a 96-92 victory over Golden State, snapping a seven-game losing streak, the longest for the team since the 1972-73 season. The 34-48 record guarantees a last-place finish, first in the team’s history. June 9, 1981 The Sonics select Utah forward Danny Vranes (fifth pick overall) in the first round of the 1981 NBA Draft. June 11, 1981 Head Scout/Assistant Coach Bob Kloppenburg signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers to become an assistant coach under Don Delaney. June 19, 1981 Free agent Gus Williams signs a five-year contract after sitting out the entire 1980-81 season. July 29, 1981 Vinnie Johnson signs a three-year contract. August 25, 1981 Free agent Paul Westphal breaks his right foot in a pick-up game at San Diego State College. September 3, 1981 Paul Westphal undergoes surgery to insert a screw in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot to correct the break he suffered on August 25. October 31, 1981 A crowd of 33,014 watches the Sonics defeat Phoenix in the season opener at the Kingdome. November 11, 1981 The Sonics defeat Dallas before the smallest Kingdome crowd in the team’s history – 10,148. November 13, 1981 Jack Sikma signs a three-year extension to his contract. November 22, 1981 The Sonics trade Vinnie Johnson to Detroit for third-year forward Gregory Kelser. December 8, 1981 Gus Williams records his first career triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. January 3, 1982 Lenny Wilkens records his 400th NBA coaching victory with a 107-100 win over Dallas. A proposed merger between the Sonics’ parent company, FNI, Inc., and Harwyn Industries, a worldwide supplier of electronic gambling machines, is announced. January 11, 1982 Gus Williams is named the NBA Player of the Week after averaging 28.0 points, 9.3 assists and 3.0 steals while leading the Sonics to three victories. January 14, 1982 Sally Behnke announces her resignation from the Board of Directors of FNI, Inc., the parent company of the Seattle SuperSonics. January 17, 1982 Lonnie Shelton and Gus Williams are awarded their first starting assignments at the NBA All-Star Game. January 19, 1982 Seattle ties its all-time winning streak of eight with a 99-97 win over Cleveland. January 31, 1982 Gus Williams scores 22 points and hands out nine assists, while Jack Sikma and Lonnie Shelton combine for 18 rebounds in the All-Star Game at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. February 14, 1982 Jack Sikma sinks his first four free throws at San Antonio to set a team record with 50 consecutive free throws made. February 19, 1982 Atlanta’s 127-122 four-overtime win over the Sonics matches the third-longest game in NBA history and also ties the longest game since the institution of the 24-second clock. Four Sonics fouled out of the marathon game to tie a franchise record. February 23, 1982 The New York Knicks tender free agent Paul Westphal an offer sheet. The Sonics have 15 days to either match the offer or release him. March 6, 1982 Arbitrator Arthur Stark rules that arbitration hearings will not be allowed on behalf of the Sonics to reduce playoff bonuses listed on New York’s offer sheet to Paul Westphal, should Seattle decided to match the Knicks’ offer under the right of first refusal. March 11, 1982 Fifteen days after Paul Westphal signs an offer sheet with New York worth $150,000 with up to $430,000 in playoff bonuses, the Sonics Board of Directors elects not to exercise its right of first refusal over Westphal, making him a Knick. April 5, 1982 Jack Sikma is named the NBA Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 points and 14.3 rebounds and playing in his 400th consecutive game over the course of the week. April 18, 1982 The Sonics finish the regular season with a loss at Portland, ending the year with a 52-30 record, tying the second-best record in franchise history, established in the 1978-79 NBA Championship season. Jack Sikma sets a team record for most rebounds in a season with 1,038, surpassing Marvin Webster’s mark of 1,035 in 1977-78. April 25, 1982 The Sonics eliminate the Houston Rockets from the playoffs, taking the first round series 2-1 with a 104-83 victory at the Coliseum. May 5, 1982 San Antonio eliminates the Sonics from the playoffs with a 109-103 victory at the Kingdome, winning the Western Conference Semifinal series 4-1. June 9, 1982 The proposed transaction to merge FNI, Inc., the Sonics parent organization, and Harwyn Industries Corporation, is terminated by mutual agreement. June 14, 1982 Jack Sikma and Lonnie Shelton are named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, the first selection for both players. June 16, 1982 Gus Williams is named the NBA Comeback Player of the Year for the 1981-82 season. June 17, 1982 The Sonics acquire David Thompson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Wally Walker and a 1982 first-round draft choice. June 21, 1982 Gus Williams is named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. June 29, 1982 For the first time in the 15-year history of the franchise, the Sonics are without a first or second-round draft choice. July 16, 1982 Special Master Kingman Brewster rules that an NBA club cannot trade a free agent’s right of first refusal, thereby nullifying the inclusion of Wally Walker in the David Thompson trade on June 17, 1982. July 20, 1982 The Denver Nuggets select guard Bill Hanzlik to complete the David Thompson trade on June 17, 1982. October 5, 1982 Wally Walker signs a one-year contract with the Sonics. October 6, 1982 The Sonics trade Wally Walker to the Houston Rockets for the Rockets’ second-round draft pick in 1984. November 19, 1982 The Sonics defeat Cleveland 102-99 at the Kingdome to improve to 12-0, the franchise’s best start ever and the third-best start in NBA history. November 21, 1982 The New Jersey Nets hand the Sonics their first defeat of the season, 111-91. December 16, 1982 Jack Sikma grabs a career-high 25 rebounds to go with 26 points in the Sonics’ 93-90 win over Kansas City in the Kingdome. The 25 rebounds are a NBA-high for the season. December 29, 1982 Jack Sikma misses the first game of his six-year career, snapping a streak of 439 consecutive games played, 417 of which he started. January 14, 1983 The Sonics fall to Portland 102-99 for their eighth straight defeat, the team’s longest string of losses since the 1972-73 season. January 31, 1983 David Thompson is voted to the starting guard position on the West team for the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. February 3, 1983 Jack Sikma and Gus Williams are added as reserves to the All-Star squad in a voted by the Western Conference coaches. February 10, 1983 Jack Sikma matches his career-high and NBA season-high 25 rebounds in a 105-99 win over Utah. February 13, 1983 David Thompson scores 10 points, Jack Sikma scored eight points and Gus Williams adds six points at the NBA All-Star Game in the Forum in L.A, but the West falls to the East 132-123. April 12, 1983 The Sonics defeat Golden State 110-105 in the Kingdome. April 13, 1983 Phoenix snaps the Sonics’ eight-game win streak with 109-106 win, assuring the Suns of second place in the Pacific Division while sending the Sonics to third place. April 22, 1983 The Sonics are eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, losing their second game to Portland 105-96. It marks the first time that the Sonics have lost in the first round. May 11, 1983 Les Habegger is named to succeed Zollie Volchok as general manager of the Sonics, effective August 1, 1983. Dave Harshman returns to the organization as the team’s assistant coach under Lenny Wilkens. May 31, 1983 The Sonics announce plans to move their homecourt back to the Seattle Center Coliseum beginning with the 1985-86 season. June 14, 1983 At the annual NBA meetings in New York, Zollie Volchok is named the NBA Executive of the Year. June 28, 1983 The Sonics select 6-2 Missouri guard Jon Sundvold in the first round, 16th pick overall, of the NBA Draft. October 14, 1983 Sonics owner Sam Schulman announces the sale of the club to Ackerley Communications, Inc., a Seattle-based communications firm owned and operated by Barry Ackerley. October 28, 1983 Bob Blackburn -the “Voice of the Sonics”- is hospitalized pending a triple bypass heart operation. He misses his first Sonics regular season radio broadcast after 1,375 consecutive games. November 9, 1983 Gus Williams scores his 10,000th career point in a 113-101 win over Cleveland at the Kingdome. November 16, 1983 The NBA Board of Governors approves the sale of the SuperSonics club, eliminating the final hurdle in the acquisition for Ackerley Communications. December 6, 1983 The Sonics defeat Golden State in Lenny Wilkens 900th career NBA coaching game. December 9, 1983 Gus Williams hands out a then-team-record 20 assists in a 132-124 win over Dallas in the Kingdome, surpassing the old mark of 19 set twice by Lenny Wilkens. January 13, 1984 The Sonics sign veteran free agent David Thompson to a contract extending through the 1984-85 season. January 18, 1984 Head Coach Lenny Wilkens records his 500th career coaching victory in a 114-107 win over Dallas in the Tacoma Dome, the first regular season game to be played at that venue. January 29, 1984 Jack Sikma scores 15 points and grabs 12 rebounds for the West as the Sonics’ lone representative at the NBA All-Star Game. The East prevails 154-145 in overtime. March 10, 1984 In the midst of a 0-6 road trip, David Thompson is lost for the season with torn ligaments in his left knee that he suffered in a fall at New York’s Studio 54 disco. March 31, 1984 The Sonics snap a 10-game road losing streak with a 124-106 win at San Antonio. April 8, 1984 Seattle clinches a playoff berth with a 120-107 victory over Houston at the Tacoma Dome. April 17, 1984 Gus Williams scores NBA playoff record 23 first-quarter points en route to a 38-point performance, but the Sonics lose the playoff opener 88-86 at Dallas. April 26, 1984 The Sonics are eliminated from the playoffs as Dallas wins 105-104 to capture the series 3-2. June 14, 1984 All-Star center Jack Sikma signs a five-year contract. June 19, 1984 On Draft Day, the Sonics trade Gus Williams to the Washington Bullets for veteran guard Ricky Sobers and rookie center Tim McCormick. July 26, 1984 Assistant Coach Dave Harshman resigns. The Sonics continue with Dick Helm as assistant coach and Lorin Miller and Gary Wortman as scouts. August 20, 1984 The Sonics leave on a 16-day, six-game tour of Europe. September 7, 1984 The Sonics return from their tour after posting a 6-0 record over European professional teams. October 16, 1984 The Sonics place David Thompson on waivers. November 23, 1984 A crowd of 12,283 fans turn out to watch the Chicago Bulls’ rookie sensation Michael Jordan in his only Kingdome appearance of the season. The Sonics lose 113-94. December 3, 1984 Jack Sikma named NBA Player of the Week. December 23, 1984 The Sonics defeat the L.A. Clippers 107-97 in the Kingdome in a game rescheduled due to the NFL and Seattle Seahawks playoff scheduling conflict. December 29, 1984 Jack Sikma scored his 10,000th career point vs. Denver. January 10, 1985 Lenny Wilkens coaches his 1,000th career NBA game in a 89-86 win at Golden State. January 28, 1985 Jack Sikma is selected to his seventh consecutive All-Star Game appearance by Western Conference coaches. March 17, 1985 The Sonics defeat Detroit 106-98 at the Kingdome in a game originally scheduled for March 18. The game takes place on St. Patrick’s Day to accommodate the Piston’s revamped schedule due to the collapse of Detroit’s Pontiac Silverdome. March 20, 1985 Jack Sikma’s streak of 195 consecutive games played is snapped as he sits out with a torn central slip of the extensor tendon and torn radial collateral ligament of his left ring finger. He had not missed a game since January 13, 1983. April 24, 1985 Sonics owner Barry Ackerley announces a shifting of front office duties. Lenny Wilkens relinquishes his position as head coach and takes over as Vice President/General Manager. Les Habegger, general manager for the past two season, shifts to director of player personnel and scouting. April 25, 1985 Danny Vranes is named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. June 18, 1985 The Sonics select Wichita State’s 6-7 forward Xavier McDaniel in the first round of the NBA Draft. June 20, 1985 The Sonics name Bernie Bickerstaff as the new head coach. July 2, 1985 The Sonics announce the hiring of assistant coaches Bob Kloppenburg and Lorin Miller. They replace former assistant coach Dick Helm. August 5, 1985 The Sonics announce that they will not exercise the option to renew the contract of David Thompson. The veteran guard is declared a free agent. September 13, 1985 The Sonics announce the signing of first-round draft choice Xavier McDaniel to a four-year contract. October 5, 1985 The Sonics host a “Dribble-On,” as the team collaborates with the March of Dimes to celebrate the return of the Sonics to the Seattle Center Coliseum. An estimated crowd of 1,500 walks and dribbles basketballs from the Kingdome to the Coliseum, led by head coach Bernie Bickerstaff and Seattle Mayor Charles Royer. October 15, 1985 Veteran guard David Thompson is given his unconditional release. October 10, 1985 NBA Commissioner David J. Stern announces at a Seattle press conference that the 37th annual NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Kingdome on February 8, 1987. October 26, 1985 The Sonics open the season with a 101-95 loss in Dallas. New Sonics Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff first starting lineup includes Tom Chambers, Danny Vranes, Jack Sikma, Gerald Henderson and Al Wood. Xavier McDaniel comes off the bench and scores 16 points and grabs seven rebounds in his NBA debut. January 5, 1986 Seattle receives the dubious distinction of being the first team in NBA history to have a game postponed due to rains as their game against Phoenix is halted with 10:48 left in the second quarter due to a leak in the roof of the Coliseum. After consulting with NBA administrators, referees Mike Mathis and Mike Lauerman declare that the game will be resumed at the point of stoppage in play the following night. January 6, 1986 Phoenix defeats the Sonics 114-97 in the completion of the “rain game.” January 29, 1986 Jack Sikma’s streak of consecutive All-Star Game appearances is snapped at seven as the Western Conference coaches selestions are announced devoid of the Sonic captain. Sikma had appeared in every All-Star Game since his rookie season. April 15, 1986 Xavier McDaniel is named Co-Rookie of the Year along with Utah’s Karl Malone by Basketball Weekly magazine. April 16, 1986 Xavier McDaniel is named the recipient of the Seagram Sports Award 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year. April 22, 1986 Xavier McDaniel is the only unanimous selection on the All-NBA Rookie Team. May 28, 1986 Bob Whitsitt, vice president and assistant general manager of the Sacramento Kings, is named the president of the Sonics. June 17, 1986 The Sonics select Nate McMillan, a 6-5 guard from North Carolina State, in the second round, 30th pick overall, in the NBA Draft. July 2, 1986 The Sonics trade Jack Sikma and their 1987 and 1989 second-round picks to Milwaukee for 7-0 center Alton Lister and the Bucks’ first-round draft picks in 1987 and 1989. July 9, 1986 Lenny Wilkens resigns as Sonics general manager to accept the head coaching position in Cleveland. July 27, 1986 Seattle acquires 6-7 guard/forward Dale Ellis from Dallas for 6-6 guard/forward Al Wood. November 6, 1986 Fred Brown’s #32 jersey is retired by the Sonics in a pregame ceremony against Dallas. December 8, 1986 Tom Chambers named the NBA’s Player of the Week. December 30, 1986 Nate McMillan gets his first starting assignment at point guard against Boston and hands out 12 assists. January 19, 1987 The Sonics announce the beginning of a feasibility study to explore the building of a multi-purpose arena in partnership with Spectacor Management of Philadelphia. February 6, 1987 Tom Chambers is named as a starting forward to the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, replacing injured Ralph Sampson. February 8, 1987 Tom Chambers is named the Most Valuable Player at the NBA All-Star Game played in the Kingdome. Chambers scores 34 points, then the third-highest in All-Star Game history. February 23, 1987 Nate McMillan hands out career-high 25 assists, tying the NBA record for most assists by a rookie set by Ernie DeGregorio. April 12, 1987 The Sonics clinch first playoff berth in three years after Phoenix loses to the L.A. Lakers. April 30, 1987 Dale Ellis receives the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in a pregame ceremony; the Sonics defeat Dallas to win their first round playoff series 3-1. May 14, 1987 Seattle defeats Houston 128-125 in double-overtime win Western Conference Semifinals series 4-2 and advance to the Western Conference Finals against the L.A. Lakers. May 23, 1987 Xavier McDaniel scores career-high 42 points May 27, 1987 Bernie Bickerstaff named the Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year. June 22, 1987 The Sonics trade their first-round pick Scottie Pippen to Chicago for Olden Polynice, the Bulls’ first-round draft pick, a second-round pick and the option to switch first-round picks in 1989. Th e Sonics also select 6-9 Alabama forward Derrick McKey as the ninth pick overall. November 6, 1987 The Sonics open the season with a 113-109 loss to the defending NBA Champion L.A. Lakers. November 7, 1987 Seattle defeats Phoenix 112-96 in the home opener before a sellout crowd of 14,252. November 18, 1987 The Sonics commence what will become a franchise-record 17-game home winning streak with a 120-114 win over Portland in the Coliseum. November 23, 1987 Xavier McDaniel named the NBA’s Player of the Week. December 30, 1987 The Sonics beat the Boston Celtics 111-105 before the largest basketball crowd in Coliseum history (14,850 standing room-only fans). January 22, 1988 Dale Ellis ties his then-career-high of 47 points to lead the Sonics to a 109-106 win over Detroit in the Coliseum. It marks the 17th straight home victory, setting the franchise record. January 24, 1988 The Sonics’ 17-game home winning streak is snapped after a 116-109 loss to the L.A. Lakers before a nationally televised audience. January 26, 1988 Xavier McDaniel named to the Western Conference NBA All-Star Team, his first selection; Dale Ellis elected to participate in the three-point shootout on All-Star Saturday. That night Ellis scores 42 points and makes NBA history by converting two four-point plays as the Sonics defeat Sacramento at ARCO Arena for the first time. February 26, 1988 Seattle’s “Big Three” of Tom Chambers, Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel all score at least 30 points in a 133-130 victory over Sacramento, marking the first time in franchise history that the feat has been accomplished. April 2, 1988 The Sonics score a then-franchise record 151 points in 151-107 defeat of Phoenix, as the team clinches a playoff berth. April 6, 1988 Rookie Derrick McKey becomes the first Sonics other than Tom Chambers, Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel to lead the team in scoring in the past two seasons as he notches 18 points in a 114-112 win over Golden State. 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