411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1980–81 San Antonio Spurs season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
March 2026
August 2023
San Antonio Spurs 1981 yes 52 30 Midwest 1 2 Stan Albeck Bob Bass Angelo Drossos HemisFair Arena KMOL KCTI Conference semifinals(lost to Rockets 3–4) SAS
The 1980–81 San Antonio Spurs season was the fifth season in the NBA, the seventh in San Antonio and the 13th as a franchise. It was a landmark season in many ways. The San Antonio Spurs moved to the Western Conference along with the Houston Rockets. The Spurs won their first Midwest Division title, and their third division title overall (they had won the Central Division in 1977-78 and 1978–79). The Spurs had the fourth best team offensive rating in the NBA.
Draft picks
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 15 Reggie Johnsonhttp://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1980s.html#1980 Complete First Round Results — 1980-89 NBA.com 2009-04-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20100321192607/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1980s.html#1980 2010-03-21 dead PF/C Tennessee 2 39 Michael Wiley California State-Long Beach 4 83 Calvin Roberts California State-Fullerton 5 107 Gib Hinz Wisconsin-Eau Claire 6 129 Dean Uthoff Iowa State 7 153 Allan Zahn Arkansas 8 172 Bill Bailey Texas Pan-American 9 192 Al Williams North Texas State 10 209 Steve Schall Arkansas
Roster
San Antonio Spurs 1980–81 #000000 #FFFFFF silver #000000
10 Ron Brewer G 6 4 180 1955–07–16 Arkansas
40 Dave Corzine C 6 11 250 1956–04–25 DePaul
44 George Gervin GF 6 7 180 1952–04–27 Eastern Michigan
30 Paul Griffin basketball CF 6 9 205 1954–01–20 Western Michigan
52 George Johnson George T. Johnson FC 6 11 205 1948–12–18 Dillard
32 Reggie Johnson basketball, born 1957 F 6 9 205 1957–06–25 Tennessee
00 Johnny Moore basketball G 6 1 175 1958–03–03 Texas
53 Mark Olberding F 6 8 225 1956–04–21 Minnesota
31 Kevin Restani FC 6 9 225 1951–12–23 San Francisco
13 James Silas G 6 1 180 1949–02–11 Stephen F. Austin
33 Michael Wiley basketball F 6 9 200 1957–10–16 Long Beach State
Stan Albeck Morris McHone https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1981.html March 2, 1981
Regular season
Under realignment, the Spurs were shifted to the Midwest Division in the Western Conference.http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/sanantonio/spurs.html San Antonio Spurs (1973-Present) April 22, 2008 July 4, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140704042750/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/sanantonio/spurs.html dead Looking to improve on the previous season, the Spurs looked to shore up the defense by acquiring Dave Corzine, Dave Johnson, and Reggie Johnson. The moves paid immediate dividends as the Spurs got off to a 10–2 start, on the way to a Division Crown with a 52–30 record. In the playoffs, the Spurs lost in 7 games to the cross-state rival Houston Rockets.
The 1980-81 San Antonio Spurs scored 9209 points and allowed 8973 points
The Spurs Points Per 100 Possessions on Offense was 109.7, which ranked 1st out of 23 teams. Their Points Per 100 Possessions on the Defense was 104.5, ranking them 8th out of 23.
Season standings
SAS
SAS
Notes
z, y – division champions
x – clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
San Antonio Spurs 1981 #000000 #C0C0C0 Total: 52–30 (home: 34–7; road: 18–23)
San Antonio Spurs October yes #C0C0C0 #000000 5 0 5 2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| October 10
| @ Denver
| W 113–112
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| October 11
| @ Dallas
| L 92–103
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 1–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| October 14
| Kansas City
| W 109–103
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| October 16
| @ Detroit
| W 102–99
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 3–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 5
| October 18
| Dallas
| W 110–96
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 4–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| October 21
| San Diego
| W 123–120
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 5–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 7
| October 23
| Golden State
| W 128–109
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 6–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 8
| October 25
| @ San Diego
| W 116–98
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 7–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 9
| October 26
| @ Los Angeles
| W 108–102
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 8–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 10
| October 28
| Portland
| W 120–112
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 9–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 11
| October 29
| @ Utah
| L 96–109
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 9–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 12
| October 31
| @ Seattle
| W 112–96
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 10–2
San Antonio Spurs November #C0C0C0 #000000 4 3 3 3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 13
| November 1
| @ Golden State
| L 108–123
|
|
|
| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 10–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 14
| November 5
| Phoenix
| W 114–84
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 11–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 15
| November 8
| Los Angeles
| W 112–109
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 12–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 16
| November 11
| Indiana
| L 113–119
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 12–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 17
| November 12
| @ Phoenix
| L 127–130
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 12–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 18
| November 13
| @ San Diego
| W 113–107
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 13–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 19
| November 15
| Utah
| W 120–104
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 14–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 20
| November 18
| @ Atlanta
| L 93–97
|
|
|
| The Omni
| 14–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 21
| November 19
| @ New Jersey
| W 112–104 (OT)
|
|
|
| Rutgers Athletic Center
| 15–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 22
| November 22
| Philadelphia
| L 101–108
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 15–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 23
| November 26
| Chicago
| W 125–122
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 16–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 24
| November 28
| Houston
| L 115–124
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 16–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 25
| November 29
| @ Kansas City
| W 106–104
|
|
|
| Kemper Arena
| 17–8
San Antonio Spurs December #C0C0C0 #000000 6 1 3 5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 26
| December 2
| Phoenix
| L 107–122
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 17–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 27
| December 4
| Cleveland
| W 130–100
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 18–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 28
| December 7
| @ Portland
| L 115–116
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 18–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 29
| December 8
| @ Seattle
| L 99–104
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 18–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 30
| December 9
| @ Utah
| W 115–90
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 19–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 31
| December 11
| Kansas City
| W 122–104
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 20–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 32
| December 13
| Denver
| W 147–123
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 21–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 33
| December 14
| @ Milwaukee
| L 98–115
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 21–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 34
| December 16
| @ Dallas
| W 89–83
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 22–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 35
| December 17
| @ Houston
| W 113–107
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 23–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 36
| December 19
| Golden State
| W 126–111
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 24–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 37
| December 21
| @ Los Angeles
| L 122–135
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 24–13
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 38
| December 25
| @ Phoenix
| L 111–131
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 24–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 39
| December 27
| Utah
| W 142–117
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 25–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 40
| December 30
| Seattle
| W 102–100
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 26–14
San Antonio Spurs January #C0C0C0 #000000 6 0 2 6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 41
| January 2
| Los Angeles
| W 118–112
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 27–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 42
| January 3
| @ Chicago
| W 119–111
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 28–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 43
| January 6
| @ New York
| W 113–108
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 29–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 44
| January 7
| @ Philadelphia
| L 102–135
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 29–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 45
| January 9
| Portland
| W 102–86
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 30–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 46
| January 11
| Washington
| W 137–106
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 31–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 47
| January 14
| New York
| W 116–105
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 32–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 48
| January 16
| @ Boston
| L 85–94
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 32–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 49
| January 17
| @ Washington
| L 93–103
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 32–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 50
| January 20
| Phoenix
| W 119–112 (OT)
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 33–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 51
| January 21
| @ Kansas City
| L 108–115
|
|
|
| Kemper Arena
| 33–18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 52
| January 24
| @ Denver
| L 115–129
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 33–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 53
| January 25
| @ Portland
| L 100–118
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 33–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 54
| January 29
| New Jersey
| W 122–108
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 34–20
San Antonio Spurs February #C0C0C0 #000000 8 1 2 3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 55
| February 3
| Detroit
| W 102–99
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 35–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 56
| February 4
| @ Denver
| W 135–132
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 36–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 57
| February 6
| Portland
| W 122–96
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 37–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 58
| February 8
| Dallas
| W 102–98
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 38–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 59
| February 11
| @ Houston
| L 89–108
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 38–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 60
| February 12
| Atlanta
| W 110–109
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 39–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 61
| February 14
| @ Dallas
| W 107–99
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 40–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 62
| February 15
| Milwaukee
| W 110–108
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 41–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 63
| February 17
| Boston
| L 116–128
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 41–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 64
| February 19
| @ Cleveland
| L 104–118
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 41–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 65
| February 20
| @ Indiana
| L 106–109
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 41–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 66
| February 22
| Denver
| W 133–129 (OT)
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 42–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 67
| February 24
| Golden State
| W 131–126
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 43–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 68
| February 26
| Seattle
| W 123–113
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 44–24
San Antonio Spurs March #C0C0C0 #000000 5 2 3 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 69
| March 1
| Houston
| W 102–86
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 45–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 70
| March 4
| Kansas City
| L 97–111
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 45–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 71
| March 6
| @ Seattle
| L 94–102
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 45–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 72
| March 8
| Dallas
| W 133–108
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 46–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 73
| March 10
| @ Los Angeles
| L 104–118
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 46–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 74
| March 14
| @ San Diego
| L 118–126
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 46–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 75
| March 15
| @ Golden State
| W 114–112 (OT)
|
|
|
| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 47–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 76
| March 17
| Utah
| W 94–86
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 48–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 77
| March 20
| @ Kansas City
| W 114–111 (OT)
|
|
|
| Kemper Arena
| 49–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 78
| March 22
| San Diego
| W 107–99
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 50–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 79
| March 24
| Denver
| L 123–125
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 50–29
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 80
| March 25
| @ Houston
| L 111–117
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 50–30
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 81
| March 26
| @ Utah
| W 98–97
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 51–30
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 82
| March 29
| Houston
| W 135–109
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 52–30
SAS 1981
Playoffs
San Antonio Spurs 1981 yes #000000 #C0C0C0
San Antonio Spurs Conference semifinals yes yes no #C0C0C0 #000000 1 3 2 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| April 7
| Houston
| L 98–107
| George Gervin (30)
| George Johnson (12)
| Paul Griffin (7)
| HemisFair Arena13,319
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| April 8
| Houston
| W 125–113
| Mark Olberding (34)
| G. Johnson, Griffin (7)
| Dave Corzine (7)
| HemisFair Arena12,128
| 1–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 3
| April 10
| @ Houston
| L 99–112
| George Gervin (33)
| Gervin, G. Johnson (8)
| Mark Olberding (5)
| The Summit16,121
| 1–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| April 12
| @ Houston
| W 114–112
| George Gervin (33)
| Dave Corzine (11)
| Mark Olberding (6)
| The Summit16,121
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| April 14
| Houston
| L 117–123
| Reggie Johnson (25)
| George Johnson (11)
| George Gervin (9)
| HemisFair Arena16,114
| 2–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| April 15
| @ Houston
| W 101–96
| George Gervin (26)
| three players tied (8)
| Mark Olberding (6)
| The Summit16,121
| 3–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 7
| April 17
| Houston
| L 100–105
| George Gervin (21)
| George Johnson (10)
| Johnny Moore (10)
| HemisFair Arena16,114
| 3–4
|-
SAS 1981 yes
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameGeorge GervinSG82 82 2,765 419 260 94 56 2,221 33.7 5.1 3.2 1.1 .7 27.1Mark OlberdingSF82 82 2,408 471 277 75 31 1,012 29.4 5.7 3.4 .9 .4 12.3George T. JohnsonC82 82 1,935 602 92 47 278 408 23.6 7.3 1.1 .6 3.4 5.0Dave CorzineC82 1,960 636 117 42 99 857 23.9 7.8 1.4 .5 1.2 10.5Paul Griffin basketballPF82 1,930 505 249 77 38 502 23.5 6.2 3.0 .9 .5 6.1Johnny Moore basketballPG82 1,578 196 373 120 22 604 19.2 2.4 4.5 1.5 .3 7.4Reggie Johnson basketball, born 1957PF 79 1,716 358 78 45 48 808 21.7 4.5 1.0 .6 .6 10.2James SilasPG 75 2,055 231 285 51 12 1,326 27.4 3.1 3.8 .7 .2 17.7Kevin RestaniSF 64 999 174 81 16 14 449 15.6 2.7 1.3 .3 .2 7.0Ron Brewer†SG 46 904 53 93 27 25 425 19.7 1.2 2.0 .6 .5 9.2Mike Gale†PG 35 636 52 99 55 2 192 18.2 1.5 2.8 1.6 .1 5.5Michael Wiley basketball playerPF 33 271 64 11 8 6 188 8.2 1.9 .3 .2 .2 5.7John Shumate†PF 22 519 87 24 21 9 165 23.6 4.0 1.1 1.0 .4 7.5Gus Gerard†SF 11 129 38 9 7 3 52 11.7 3.5 .8 .6 .3 4.7
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Spurs only.
Playoffs
Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameGeorge GervinSG7 274 35 24 5 5 190 39.1 5.0 3.4 .7 .7 27.1Mark OlberdingSF7 254 41 30 4 0 138 36.3 5.9 4.3 .6 .0 19.7Reggie Johnson basketball, born 1957PF7 224 34 16 4 5 89 32.0 4.9 2.3 .6 .7 12.7Paul Griffin basketballPF7 183 40 29 6 5 37 26.1 5.7 4.1 .9 .7 5.3George T. JohnsonC7 165 63 6 3 16 31 23.6 9.0 .9 .4 2.3 4.4James SilasPG7 161 15 19 4 0 80 23.0 2.1 2.7 .6 .0 11.4Dave CorzineC7 161 48 16 4 8 63 23.0 6.9 2.3 .6 1.1 9.0Johnny Moore basketballPG7 124 13 27 10 1 42 17.7 1.9 3.9 1.4 .1 6.0Ron BrewerSG7 118 5 13 1 6 80 16.9 .7 1.9 .1 .9 11.4Kevin RestaniSF 3 11 2 0 0 1 2 3.7 .7 .0 .0 .3 .7Michael Wiley basketball playerPF 3 5 0 0 0 0 2 1.7 .0 .0 .0 .0 .7
Award winners
George Gervin, All-NBA First Team
George Johnson, NBA Leader Blocks per Game, 3.4
References
San Antonio Spurs on Database Basketball
San Antonio Spurs on Basketball Reference
Category:San Antonio Spurs seasons
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs