Home History Corner Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals...

Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals on this date in 1996

Shawn Kemp came up clutch in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. He led the Seattle SuperSonics to a 90-86 home victory over the Utah Jazz.

Seattle led throughout the fourth quarter, with Utah trying to come from behind. Every time the Jazz cut into the lead the SuperSonics would answer.

Kemp finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead Seattle. He also hit two clutch free throws to give them an 89-86 lead.

With 8.2 seconds remaining Karl Malone was fouled but he missed both free throws and the SuperSonics secured the rebound and put the game away. Malone finished with 22 points but struggled with efficiency. He shot 8-22 from the field and 6-12 on free throws.

1996 Seattle SuperSonics vs Utah Jazz Game 7 NBA Greatest Games

In addition to Kemp, Gary Payton played well for Seattle. He finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.

John Stockton finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals for Utah, but it wasn’t enough.

This was Seattle’s last Finals appearance before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

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