1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics season

Head coach| Bernie Bickerstaff
General manager| Bob Whitsitt
Owner(s)| Barry Ackerley
Arena| Seattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record| 41-41 (.500)
Place| Division: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 9th (Western)
Playoff finish| Did not qualify

* * *

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television|

* KIRO-TV
* KTZZ-TV
* Northwest Cable Sports

Radio| KJR
| < 1988–89  | 1990–91 >

|

The 1989–90 NBA season was the 22nd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] It was Bernie Bickerstaff's last season as head coach of the Sonics, and the first season for rookie and future All-Star forward Shawn Kemp, who was selected with the 17th pick in the 1989 NBA draft.[2][3][4] After winning two of their first three games, the Sonics lost in a quintuple-overtime game on November 9 to the Milwaukee Bucks, 155–154 at the Bradley Center.[5][6][7][8] The Sonics played around .500 for the entire season, holding a 22–23 record at the All-Star break,[9] and peaking late in the season at 34–32 before going 7–9 to end their season, as they finished fourth in the Pacific Division with a 41–41 record,[10] losing the #8 seed in the Western Conference to the Houston Rockets, who had the same record but were ahead after tie-breaks, and thus did not reach the playoffs.[11][12]

Dale Ellis led the team in scoring averaging 23.5 points per game, but only played 55 games due to a collapsed lung and broken ribs suffered from a car accident in January,[13][14][15][16] while Xavier McDaniel averaged 21.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and Derrick McKey provided the team with 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Sedale Threatt contributed 11.4 points per game, while Michael Cage averaged 9.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, top draft pick Dana Barros contributed 9.7 points per game, and Nate McMillan provided with 6.4 points, 7.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[17]

This was also McDaniel's final full season in Seattle, as he was traded midway through the following season to the Phoenix Suns.[18][19][20]

## Draft picks

[edit]

Main article: 1989 NBA draft

Seattle drafted future All-Stars Dana Barros and Shawn Kemp as their only two picks of the 1989 Draft. Kemp would go on to have a successful 8-year run with the Sonics.

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | College

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|
|
|
|

1 | 16 | Dana Barros | PG |  United States | Boston College
1 | 17 | Shawn Kemp | PF / C |  United States | Trinity Valley CC

## Roster

[edit]

1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics roster Players  | Coaches

|

| Pos. | No. | Player  | Height  | Weight  | DOB | From

|
|
|
|
|
|

G | 11 | Dana Barros | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)  | 163 lb (74 kg)  | 1967–04–13  | Boston College
C | 44 | Michael Cage | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 224 lb (102 kg)  | 1962–01–28  | San Diego State
G | 20 | Quintin Dailey | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 180 lb (82 kg)  | 1961–01–22  | San Francisco
F | 3 | Dale Ellis | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 205 lb (93 kg)  | 1960–08–06  | Tennessee
G | 21 | Jim Farmer | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1964–09–23  | Alabama
G | 15 | Avery Johnson | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)  | 175 lb (79 kg)  | 1965–03–25  | Southern
C | 33 | Steve Johnson | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  | 1957–11–03  | Oregon State
F | 40 | Shawn Kemp | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 230 lb (104 kg)  | 1969–11–26  | Trinity Valley CC
F | 34 | Xavier McDaniel | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 205 lb (93 kg)  | 1963–06–04  | Wichita State
F | 31 | Derrick McKey | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 205 lb (93 kg)  | 1966–10–10  | Alabama
G | 10 | Nate McMillan | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  | 1964–08–03  | NC State
F | 50 | Scott Meents | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 225 lb (102 kg)  | 1964–01–04  | Illinois
C | 23 | Olden Polynice | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  | 1964–11–21  | Virginia
G | 4 | Sedale Threatt | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 175 lb (79 kg)  | 1961–09–10  | West Virginia Tech

Head coach

* Bernie Bickerstaff

Assistant(s)

* Bob Kloppenburg
* Tom Newell
* Gary Wortman

* * *

Legend

* (DP) Unsigned draft pick
* (FA) Free agent
* (S) Suspended
* Injured

## Regular season

[edit]

### Season standings

[edit]

Pacific Division

* v
* t
* e

|  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB  |  Home  |  Road  |  Div

|
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|
|
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|
|

y-Los Angeles Lakers | 63 | 19 | .768 | – | 37–4 | 26–15 | 22–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 59 | 23 | .720 | 4 | 35–6 | 24–17 | 20–8
x-Phoenix Suns | 54 | 28 | .659 | 9 | 32–9 | 22–19 | 20–8
Seattle SuperSonics | 41 | 41 | .500 | 22 | 30–11 | 11–30 | 11–17
Golden State Warriors | 37 | 45 | .451 | 26 | 27–14 | 10–31 | 11–17
Los Angeles Clippers | 30 | 52 | .366 | 33 | 20–21 | 10–31 | 7–21
Sacramento Kings | 23 | 59 | .280 | 40 | 16–25 | 7–34 | 7–21
#  |

Western Conference

* v
* t
* e

|

Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB
1  | z-Los Angeles Lakers | 63 | 19 | .768 | –
2  | y-San Antonio Spurs | 56 | 26 | .683 | 7
3  | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 59 | 23 | .720 | 4
4  | x-Utah Jazz | 55 | 27 | .671 | 8
5  | x-Phoenix Suns | 54 | 28 | .659 | 9
6  | x-Dallas Mavericks | 47 | 35 | .573 | 16
7  | x-Denver Nuggets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 20
8  | x-Houston Rockets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 22
9  | Seattle SuperSonics | 41 | 41 | .500 | 22
10  | Golden State Warriors | 37 | 45 | .451 | 26
11  | Los Angeles Clippers | 30 | 52 | .366 | 33
12  | Sacramento Kings | 23 | 59 | .280 | 40
13  | Minnesota Timberwolves | 22 | 60 | .268 | 41
14  | Charlotte Hornets | 19 | 63 | .232 | 44

#### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1989–90 NBA records

Team  | ATL  | BOS  | CHA  | CHI  | CLE  | DAL  | DEN  | DET  | GSW  | HOU  | IND  | LAC  | LAL  | MIA  | MIL  | MIN  | NJN  | NYK  | ORL  | PHI  | PHO  | POR  | SAC  | SAS  | SEA  | UTA  | WAS
Atlanta | – | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–5 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2
Boston | 3–1 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3
Charlotte | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 0–5 | 0–2
Chicago | 5–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1
Cleveland | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–5 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1
Dallas | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1
Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | – | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1
Detroit | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0
Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–1
Houston | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–1
Indiana | 3–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1
L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 1–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–5 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 1–1
L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1
Miami | 0–4 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 3–1 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–3
Milwaukee | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1
Minnesota | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 1–1
New Jersey | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | – | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3
New York | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | – | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0
Orlando | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1
Phoenix | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–3 | 5–0 | 0–4 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0
Portland | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | – | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–1
Sacramento | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 0–4 | – | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1
San Antonio | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | – | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–0
Seattle  | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | – | 1–3 | 2–0
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | – | 2–0
Washington | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 4–0 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | —

#### Game log

[edit]

1989–90 game log

November

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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1 | November 3, 1989 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 106–94 | Ellis (33) | Cage (11) | Threatt (6) | 13,805
(Seattle, Washington) | 1–0
2 | November 4, 1989 | at Sacramento Kings | 100–107 | Cage (24) | Cage (13) | McMillan and Barros (4) | 17,104
(Sacramento, California) | 1-1
3 | November 7, 1989 | Charlotte Hornets | 128–88 | McDaniel and Ellis (23) | Cage (14) | McMillan (9) | 9,521
(Seattle, Washington) | 2–1
4 | November 9, 1989 | at Milwaukee Bucks | 154–155 (5OT) | Ellis (53) | McDaniel (13) | McMillan (10) | 14,012
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | 2-2
5 | November 11, 1989 | at Chicago Bulls | 102–109 | Ellis (30) | Cage (10) | McMillan (10) | 16,676
(Chicago, Illinois) | 2–3
6 | November 12, 1989 | at Minnesota Timberwolves | 108–97 | McKey (32) | Cage (16) | McMillan (12) | 21,702
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) | 3-3
7 | November 14, 1989 | Dallas Mavericks | 109–113 (OT) | McDaniel (31) | Cage (10) | McDaniel and McMillan (5) | 9,880
(Seattle, Washington) | 3–4
8 | November 16, 1989 | Washington Bullets | 111–98 | McDaniel (26) | McKey (11) | Barros (6) | 9,562
(Seattle, Washington) | 4-4
9 | November 18, 1989 | Chicago Bulls | 119–110 | McDaniel (36) | Cage (10) | McMillan (10) | 14,708
(Seattle, Washington) | 5–4
10 | November 19, 1989 | at Portland Trail Blazers | 109–119 | Ellis and Cage (17) | Cage (15) | Ellis (6) | 12,884
(Portland, Oregon) | 5-5
11 | November 21, 1989 | New Jersey Nets | 114–84 | McDaniel (26) | Cage (15) | McMillan (11) | 12,109
(Seattle, Washington) | 6–5
12 | November 24, 1989 | at Denver Nuggets | 109–122 | Barros (18) | Cage and Kemp (8) | Johnson (10) | 13,061
(Denver, Colorado) | 6-6
13 | November 25, 1989 | at Dallas Mavericks | 117–70 | McDaniel (22) | Cage (14) | McMillan (8) | 17,007
(Dallas, Texas) | 7–6
14 | November 28, 1989 | at San Antonio Spurs | 104–117 | Ellis (37) | McMillan (11) | McMillan (14) | 12,115
(San Antonio, Texas) | 7-7
15 | November 30, 1989 | New York Knicks | 127–122 | McDaniel (37) | McKey and McMillan (8) | McMillan (13) | 13,583
(Seattle, Washington) | 8–7

December

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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16 | December 2, 1989 | Detroit Pistons | 120–95 | Ellis (30) | McDaniel (10) | McMillan (14) | 14,546
(Seattle, Washington) | 9–7
17 | December 5, 1989 | Houston Rockets | 133–123 | McDaniel (36) | McDaniel (10) | McMillan (11) | 9,241
(Seattle, Washington) | 10–7
18 | December 9, 1989 | Los Angeles Clippers | 104–100 | Ellis (28) | Cage (15) | McMillan (6) | 12,548
(Seattle, Washington) | 11–7
19 | December 13, 1989 | at Boston Celtics | 97–109 | Ellis (32) | Ellis and Cage (9) | McMillan (7) | 14,890
(Boston, Massachusetts) | 11–8
20 | December 15, 1989 | at Cleveland Cavaliers | 101–120 | McKey (20) | Cage (13) | Johnson (5) | 15,072
(Richfield, Ohio) | 11–9
21 | December 16, 1989 | at New York Knicks | 97–118 | Cage (19) | Cage (10) | Johnson (5) | 18,212
(New York City, New York) | 11–10
22 | December 19, 1989 | at Detroit Pistons | 77–94 | Threatt (18) | Cage (9) | McMillan (7) | 21,454
(Auburn Hills, Michigan) | 11-11
23 | December 21, 1989 | Portland Trail Blazers | 123–102 | Ellis (23) | Cage (13) | McMillan (14) | 13,190
(Seattle, Washington) | 12–11
24 | December 23, 1989 | Indiana Pacers | 95–98 | McDaniel (29) | Cage (12) | McMillan (11) | 14,377
(Seattle, Washington) | 12-12
25 | December 27, 1989 | Philadelphia 76ers | 110–106 | Ellis (33) | Cage (13) | Threatt (7) | 14,381
(Seattle, Washington) | 13–12
26 | December 29, 1989 | Boston Celtics | 89–96 | McDaniel (26) | Cage (14) | McMillan (7) | 14,708
(Seattle, Washington) | 13-13

January

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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27 | January 3, 1990 | Utah Jazz | 108–119 | McDaniel (25) | Cage (19) | Johnson (8) | 12,314
(Seattle, Washington) | 13–14
28 | January 5, 1990 | Miami Heat | 140–110 | Ellis (26) | Kemp (9) | Johnson (17) | 9,819
(Seattle, Washington) | 14-14
29 | January 6, 1990 | Phoenix Suns | 120–110 | McDaniel (29) | Cage (10) | Johnson (11) | 14,430
(Seattle, Washington) | 15–14
30 | January 8, 1990 | at Dallas Mavericks | 96–110 | McDaniel (19) | McDaniel and Polynice (8) | Johnson (9) | 16,561
(Dallas, Texas) | 15-15
31 | January 9, 1990 | at Houston Rockets | 90–97 | Ellis (22) | McMillan (9) | McMillan (8) | 15,251
(Houston, Texas) | 15–16
32 | January 11, 1990 | Dallas Mavericks | 98–87 | Ellis (29) | Cage and McMillan (8) | McMillan (10) | 9,397
(Seattle, Washington) | 16-16
33 | January 13, 1990 | Atlanta Hawks | 113–106 | McDaniel (33) | McDaniel (14) | Johnson (11) | 14,330
(Seattle, Washington) | 17–16
34 | January 15, 1990 | Houston Rockets | 105–101 | McDaniel (25) | Cage (11) | Johnson (7) | 11,404
(Seattle, Washington) | 18–16
35 | January 17, 1990 | at Los Angeles Lakers | 90–100 | Threatt (26) | McDaniel (7) | McMillan (9) | 17,505
(Inglewood, California) | 18–17
36 | January 18, 1990 | at Los Angeles Clippers | 95–105 | McDaniel (30) | McDaniel and McKey (8) | Threatt (6) | 11.150
(Los Angeles, California) | 18-18
37 | January 20, 1990 | at Phoenix Suns | 98–117 | Threatt (21) | Cage (8) | McMillan (6) | 14,487
(Phoenix, Arizona) | 18–19
38 | January 24, 1990 | Milwaukee Bucks | 112–119 | McDaniel (32) | McMillan (9) | McDaniel (8) | 10,903
(Seattle, Washington) | 18–20
39 | January 26, 1990 | at Golden State Warriors | 102–114 | Threatt (36) | McDaniel (15) | McDaniel (7) | 15,025
(Oakland, California) | 18–21
40 | January 27, 1990 | San Antonio Spurs | 109–98 | McDaniel (34) | Cage (9) | McMillan (8) | 14,519
(Seattle, Washington) | 19–21
41 | January 31, 1990 | at Minnesota Timberwolves | 82–110 | McKey (16) | McKey (9) | McMillan (8) | 24,153
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) | 19–22

February

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

42 | February 2, 1990 | at Indiana Pacers | 87–86 | McDaniel (25) | Cage (12) | McMillan and Barros (4) | 12,858
(Indianapolis, Indiana) | 20–22
43 | February 3, 1990 | at Washington Bullets | 94–92 | McDaniel (29) | McDaniel and Cage (8) | McMillan (8) | 12,066
(Landover, Maryland) | 21–22
44 | February 5, 1990 | at Charlotte Hornets | 101–100 | McDaniel (22) | Cage (10) | McMillan, McDaniel, Sellers (4) | 23,901
(Charlotte, North Carolina) | 22-22
45 | February 7, 1990 | Phoenix Suns | 124–128 | McKey (26) | Polynice (8) | McMillan (8) | 11,420
(Seattle, Washington) | 22–23
46 | February 13, 1990 | Portland Trail Blazers | 106–110 | McDaniel (35) | McKey and Cage (10) | McMillan (15) | 12,717
(Seattle, Washington) | 22–24
47 | February 15, 1990 | at New Jersey Nets | 103–92 | McKey (31) | McKey (14) | McMillan (9) | 9,304
(East Rutherford, New Jersey) | 23–24
48 | February 16, 1990 | at Philadelphia 76ers | 96–100 (OT) | McDaniel (25) | McKey (13) | McMillan (12) | 16,190
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | 23–25
49 | February 18, 1990 | at Charlotte Hornets | 85–70 | McDaniel (20) | Cage (11) | McMillan (4) | 23,901
(Charlotte, North Carolina) | 24–25
50 | February 20, 1990 | at Orlando Magic | 117–102 | McDaniel (27) | McDaniel and Cage (10) | McMillan (17) | 15,077
(Orlando, Florida) | 25-25
51 | February 21, 1990 | at Miami Heat | 92–85 | Barros (18) | Cage (12) | McMillan (7) | 15,008
(Miami, Florida) | 26–25
52 | February 23, 1990 | Sacramento Kings | 97–85 | McKey (24) | Cage (20) | McMillan (9) | 13,023
(Seattle, Washington) | 27–25
53 | February 25, 1990 | Golden State Warriors | 110–102 | McKey (33) | Cage (13) | McMillan (8) | 11,775
(Seattle, Washington) | 28–25
54 | February 27, 1990 | at Los Angeles Clippers | 99–103 | Barros (28) | McKey (10) | McKey and McMillan (5) | 10,826
(Los Angeles, California) | 28–26
55 | February 28, 1990 | Los Angeles Lakers | 107–112 | Barros (20) | McKey (11) | McMillan (7) | 14,542
(Seattle, Washington) | 28–27

March

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

56 | March 2, 1990 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 99–83 | McKey (18) | McKey (9) | McMillan (10) | 11,272
(Seattle, Washington) | 29–27
57 | March 3, 1990 | at Portland Trail Blazers | 98–110 | McKey (22) | McMillan and Cage (10) | McMillan (7) | 12,884
(Portland, Oregon) | 29–28
58 | March 6, 1990 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 95–90 | Barros (23) | Cage (13) | McKey, McMillan, Barros (4) | 12,019
(Seattle, Washington) | 30–28
59 | March 8, 1990 | at Houston Rockets | 97–111 | Cage (20) | Cage (14) | Barros (6) | 16,611
(Houston, Texas) | 30–29
60 | March 9, 1990 | at Atlanta Hawks | 97–107 | Barros (26) | Cage (10) | Barros (10) | 14,625
(Atlanta, Georgia) | 30-30
61 | March 12, 1990 | Orlando Magic | 130–105 | Ellis (24) | McMillan and Kemp (9) | McMillan (11) | 10,178
(Seattle, Washington) | 31–30
62 | March 14, 1990 | Charlotte Hornets | 103–100 | Farmer (26) | Cage (14) | McMillan (13) | 8,115
(Seattle, Washington) | 32–30
63 | March 15, 1990 | at Utah Jazz | 95–117 | Polynice (18) | Kemp (8) | McKey (4) | 12,616
(Salt Lake City, Utah) | 32–31
64 | March 18, 1990 | at Golden State Warriors | 121–116 | Ellis (30) | McKey (11) | McMillan (7) | 15,025
(Oakland, California) | 33–31
65 | March 20, 1990 | San Antonio Spurs | 106–128 | Kemp (20) | Cage (9) | McMillan and Barros (6) | 14,541
(Seattle, Washington) | 33–32
66 | March 22, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 125–118 | McDaniel (24) | Cage (15) | McMillan (16) | 9,830
(Seattle, Washington) | 34–32
67 | March 24, 1990 | at Phoenix Suns | 95–121 | Kemp (16) | McKey (9) | McMillan (4) | 14,487
(Phoenix, Arizona) | 34–33
68 | March 25, 1990 | at Los Angeles Lakers | 94–116 | Kemp (19) | Cage (9) | McMillan (6) | 17,505
(Inglewood, California) | 34-34
69 | March 27, 1990 | at San Antonio Spurs | 103–115 | Ellis (36) | Cage (7) | McMillan (14) | 14,345
(San Antonio, Texas) | 34–35
70 | March 30, 1990 | Golden State Warriors | 139–108 | McDaniel (34) | Cage (12) | Threatt (13) | 13,542
(Seattle, Washington) | 35-35

April

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

71 | April 1, 1990 | at Los Angeles Clippers | 103–104 | Ellis (39) | Cage (21) | McMillan (8) | 11,815
(Los Angeles, California) | 35–36
72 | April 3, 1990 | Portland Trail Blazers | 136–134 (OT) | Ellis (30) | Kemp (8) | McMillan (4) | 11,414
(Seattle, Washington) | 36-36
73 | April 5, 1990 | Utah Jazz | 101–91 | Threatt (19) | McDaniel (12) | Barros (5) | 12,573
(Seattle, Washington) | 37–36
74 | April 6, 1990 | at Denver Nuggets | 103–119 | Threatt (22) | Cage (11) | McMillan (8) | 16,212
(Denver, Colorado) | 37-37
75 | April 9, 1990 | Sacramento Kings | 105–106 | Ellis (33) | Cage (12) | McMillan (12) | 11,678
(Seattle, Washington) | 37–38
76 | April 10, 1990 | at Utah Jazz | 102–114 | Ellis (30) | McKey (6) | Ellis (6) | 12,616
(Salt Lake City, Utah) | 37–39
77 | April 12, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 113–103 | McDaniel (26) | Cage (14) | McKey (7) | 10,617
(Seattle, Washington) | 38–39
78 | April 14, 1990 | Phoenix Suns | 96–89 | Ellis (30) | Cage (13) | Threatt (11) | 12,903
(Seattle, Washington) | 39-39
79 | April 17, 1990 | Los Angeles Lakers | 101–102 | Ellis (28) | Cage (12) | McMillan (10) | 14,489
(Seattle, Washington) | 39–40
80 | April 19, 1990 | at Sacramento Kings | 130–118 (OT) | Ellis (43) | Cage (11) | Threatt (12) | 17,014
(Sacramento, California) | 40-40
81 | April 20, 1990 | Los Angeles Clippers | 121–99 | Ellis (36) | Cage (12) | McMillan (10) | 12,090
(Seattle, Washington) | 41–40
82 | April 22, 1990 | at Golden State Warriors | 122-124 | Ellis (33) | McDaniel (14) | McDaniel and Threatt (6) | 15,025
(Oakland, California) | 41-41

1989–90 schedule

## Player statistics

[edit]

### Legend

[edit]

* GP: Games played
* GS: Games started
* MPG: Minutes per game
* FG%: Field goal percentage
* 3FG%: 3-point field goal percentage
* FT%: Free throw percentage
* RPG: Rebounds per game
* APG: Assists per game
* SPG: Steals per game
* BPG: Blocks per game
* PPG: Points per game

### Season

[edit]

Player  | GP  | GS  | MPG  | FG%  | 3P%  | FT%  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PPG

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Dana Barros | 81 | 25 | 20.1 | 40.5% | 39.9% | 80.9% | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 9.7
Michael Cage | 82 | 82 | 31.6 | 50.4% | – | 69.8% | 10.0 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 9.7
Quintin Dailey | 30 | 2 | 16.4 | 40.4% | 20% | 78.8% | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 8.2
Dale Ellis | 55 | 49 | 37.0 | 49.7% | 37.5% | 81.8% | 4.3 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 23.5
Jim Farmer | 38 | 0 | 10.5 | 43.8% | 29.6% | 71.3% | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 6.4
Avery Johnson | 53 | 10 | 10.8 | 38.7% | 25% | 72.5% | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.6
Steve Johnson 1 | 21 | 0 | 11.5 | 53.3% | – | 60% | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 5.6
Shawn Kemp | 81 | 1 | 13.8 | 47.9% | 16.7% | 73.6% | 4.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 6.5
Xavier McDaniel | 69 | 67 | 35.2 | 49.6% | 29.4% | 73.3% | 6.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 21.3
Derrick McKey | 80 | 80 | 34.4 | 49.3% | 13% | 78.2% | 6.1 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 15.7
Nate McMillan | 82 | 69 | 28.5 | 47.3% | 35.5% | 64.1% | 4.9 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 6.4
Scott Meents | 26 | 0 | 5.7 | 43.2% | – | 73.9% | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.1
Olden Polynice | 79 | 7 | 13.7 | 54% | 50% | 47.5% | 3.8 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 4.6
Brad Sellers 1 | 45 | 0 | 13.0 | 42.4% | 0% | 80.3% | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 4.8
Sedale Threatt | 65 | 18 | 22.8 | 50.6% | 25% | 82.8% | 1.8 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 11.4

1.^ Statistics with the SuperSonics.

## Awards, records, and honors

[edit]

The Sonics did not have any awards, records, and honors. [21]

## Transactions

[edit]

### Overview

[edit]

Players Added

* * *

Via draft

* Dana Barros
* Shawn Kemp

Via free agency

* Scott Meents
* Jim Farmer
* Quintin Dailey

Via trade

* Brad Sellers
* Steve Johnson

| Players Lost

* * *

Via draft
(1989 NBA expansion draft)

* Jerry Reynolds

Via free agency

* John Lucas

Via trade

* Alton Lister
* Brad Sellers

|

### Trades

[edit]

June 26, 1989  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Brad Sellers | To Chicago Bulls

* * *

Conditional 1989 first round pick

|
|

June 27, 1989  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Conditional 1989 first round pick  | To Golden State Warriors

* * *

Conditional 1990 first round pick
To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Conditional 1993 second round pick  | To Chicago Bulls

* * *

Seattle's agreement not to draft B. J. Armstrong with the 16th or 17th draft pick.
August 7, 1989  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Conditional 1990 first round pick  | To Golden State Warriors

* * *

Alton Lister
February 22, 1990  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Steve Johnson | To Minnesota Timberwolves

* * *

Brad Sellers

### Free agents

[edit]

#### Additions

[edit]

| Player | Signed | Former team

|
|

Scott Meents | September 27, 1989 |
Jim Farmer | February 12, 1990 |
Quintin Dailey | February 22, 1990 |

#### Subtractions

[edit]

| Player | Left | New team

|
|

John Lucas | August 17, 1989 | Houston Rockets

Player Transactions Citation:[22]

## See also

[edit]

* 1989–90 NBA season

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics".
2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1989). "Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
3. ^ McManis, Sam (June 28, 1989). "THE NBA DRAFT: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
4. ^ "1989 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
5. ^ "Bucks Defeat SuperSonics in 5 Overtimes". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1989. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
6. ^ "After Five Overtimes, Milwaukee Gets Win Over Seattle, 155-154". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1989. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
7. ^ DiGiovanni, Joe (November 10, 1989). "Bucks 155, Supersonics 154, 5 OT". United Press International. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
8. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, November 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
10. ^ "1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
11. ^ "Rockets Land a Berth". The New York Times. April 23, 1990. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
12. ^ Hafner, Dan (April 23, 1990). "NBA ROUNDUP: Rockets Get Last Spot, Lakers in 1st Round". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
13. ^ "Seattle Sonics' Top Scorer Dale Ellis Hurt in Crash". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 12, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
14. ^ Farrey, Tom; Seven, Richard (January 12, 1990). "Dale Ellis in Car Crash -- Arrested on Suspicion of DWI". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
15. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics' Ellis Is Injured in Traffic Accident". The New York Times. January 13, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
16. ^ "SuperSonics' Ellis Hurt in Crash; DWI Alleged". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 13, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
17. ^ "1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
18. ^ "X Marks Suns' Spot in Trade with Seattle: Pro Basketball: McDaniel to Phoenix. SuperSonics Get Eddie Johnson, Two No. 1 Picks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
19. ^ Peoples, John (December 8, 1990). "Sonics Say So Long to X-Man -- McDaniel Traded to Suns". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
20. ^ "X-Man Traded to Suns for E.J., 2 1st-Round Picks". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
21. ^ 1989-90 NBA Season Summary
22. ^ "1989–90 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

1989–90 NBA season by team

* 1989 NBA expansion draft
* 1989 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* Miami
* New Jersey
* New York
* Philadelphia
* Washington

|

Central|

* Atlanta
* Chicago
* Cleveland
* Detroit
* Indiana
* Milwaukee
* Orlando

Western|

| Midwest|

* Charlotte
* Dallas
* Denver
* Houston
* Minnesota
* San Antonio
* Utah

|

Pacific|

* Golden State
* L.A. Clippers
* L.A. Lakers
* Phoenix
* Portland
* Sacramento
* Seattle

* v
* t
* e

Oklahoma City Thunder

* Founded in 1967
* Formerly the Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008)
* Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Franchise|

* History
* All-time roster
* Draft history
* 1967
* Records
* Head coaches
* Seasons
* Current season

Arenas|

* Seattle Center Coliseum
* Kingdome
* Tacoma Dome
* Paycom Center

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Professional Basketball Club (Clay Bennett, chairman)
President
Vacant
General manager
Sam Presti
Head coach
Mark Daigneault

G League affiliate|

* Oklahoma City Blue

Retired numbers|

* 1
* 4
* 10
* 19
* 24
* 32
* 43

NBA championships|

* 1979

Rivalries|

* Portland Trail Blazers (I-5 rivalry)

Culture and lore|

* Seattle SuperSonics
* relocation to Oklahoma City
* Howard Schultz
* Wheedle
* Squatch
* Rumble the Bison
* "It Was a Good Day"
* Sonicsgate
* Thunderstruck
* "Thunder Up"
* Radio network
* KWPN-AM
* WWLS-FM
* Love's

* v
* t
* e

Seattle SuperSonics seasons

* Franchise
* Seasons

1960s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1967–68 |  1968–69

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|

1970s|

|  1969–70 |  1970–71 |  1971–72 |  1972–73 |  1973–74 |  1974–75 |  1975–76 |  1976–77 |  1977–78 |  1978–79

|
|
|
|
|
|
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|

1980s|

|  1979–80 |  1980–81 |  1981–82 |  1982–83 |  1983–84 |  1984–85 |  1985–86 |  1986–87 |  1987–88 |  1988–89

|
|
|
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1990s|

|  1989–90 |  1990–91 |  1991–92 |  1992–93 |  1993–94 |  1994–95 |  1995–96 |  1996–97 |  1997–98 |  1998–99

|
|
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2000s|

|  1999–2000 |  2000–01 |  2001–02 |  2002–03 |  2003–04 |  2004–05 |  2005–06 |  2006–07 |  2007–08 |

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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
*[Pos.]: Position
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[DOB]: Date of birth
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[ W ]: Games won
*[ L ]: Games lost
*[ PCT ]: Winning percentage
*[ GB ]: Games behind
*[ Home ]: Home record
*[ Road ]: Road record
*[ Div ]: Division record