Sonics vs Celtics
From Seattle to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have built a legacy of resilience and rising contention.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Paycom Center.
Quick Facts
- Franchise connection
- Seattle SuperSonics (predecessor to OKC Thunder) vs. Boston Celtics
- Peak era
- 1970s to early 2000s
- Key sonics player
- Gus Williams
- Shawn Kemp
- Ray Allen
- Key celtics player
- Larry Bird
- Kevin McHale
- Paul Pierce
- Notable series
- NBA Playoffs (1978, 1979)
- Style clash
- Boston's Defense vs. Seattle's Offense
Lore & Background
The Thunder were originally established as the Seattle SuperSonics, an expansion team that joined the NBA for the 1967–68 season. The SuperSonics moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in July 2008. In Seattle, the SuperSonics qualified for the NBA playoffs 22 times, won their division six times, advanced to three NBA Finals, and won the 1979 NBA championship. In Oklahoma City, the Thunder qualified for their first playoff berth during the 2009–10 season. They won their first division title as the Thunder in the 2010–11 season and their first Western Conference championship as the Thunder in the 2011–12 season, appearing in the NBA Finals for the fourth time in franchise history and first time since 1996, when the team was based in Seattle. The Thunder lost the series to the Miami Heat, 4–1.
Reader's Guide
The Thunder's NBA G League affiliate is the Oklahoma City Blue, which it owns. The Thunder are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues based in the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City previously hosted the New Orleans Hornets for two seasons following devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Did You Know?
- The Thunder's name was chosen in reference to Oklahoma's location in Tornado Alley and Oklahoma City as the home of the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds.
- The SuperSonics' final NBA draft was in 2008, and they used the fourth overall pick to select Russell Westbrook.
- In December 2008, Forbes magazine estimated the team's franchise value at $300 million—a 12 percent increase from the previous year's $268 million, when the club was located in Seattle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the teams involved in the Sonics vs. Celtics rivalry?
This historic feud pits the original Seattle SuperSonics, the direct predecessor to the modern Oklahoma City Thunder, against the Boston Celtics.
What were the contrasting playing styles between these two teams?
The matchup featured a classic battle of Boston's relentless defense and championship experience against Seattle's high-flying offense and youthful energy.
Which legendary players defined this rivalry across different eras?
Key figures included Sonics icons like Gus Williams, Shawn Kemp, and Ray Allen facing off against Celtics legends such as Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Paul Pierce.
When did the most notable playoff series between these franchises occur?
The teams met in memorable postseason battles during the late 1970s, specifically in 1978 and 1979, and again in a significant 2008 series.
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