The Salem Capitals opened the home portion of their fifth season Friday night with a 113-90 loss to the Seattle SuperHawks at the Salem Armory, drawing 1,027 fans for the first home game on the 2026 schedule. Salem’s published schedule then brought the Yakima Heat to town the following night, when the Capitals bounced back with a win to split their first two home games of the new season. Salem’s website lists 2026 as the franchise’s fifth season.
Seattle arrived with a high-profile coaching staff for the opener. The SuperHawks are led by head coach Robert Pack, a former NBA guard whose 13-year professional career included stops with Portland, Denver, Washington, New Jersey, Dallas and Minnesota. The team also lists Hall of Famer Gary Payton, the former Oregon State standout and longtime NBA star, as associate head coach.
On the court Friday, Seattle was led by Jontay Porter, who posted 29 points and 32 rebounds in the win, according to the SuperHawks’ game recap. Seattle’s posted recap also credited Tay Williams with 19 points, Bryson Dennis with 16, Khaleb Wilson-Rouse and Shamir Bogues with 11 each, and Emeche Wells with 10. The SuperHawks said they outrebounded Salem 62-40 and shot 49.5% from the field.
Salem’s current roster includes players such as Isaiah Gentry, Tyreek Price, Dominique “Domo” Lawrence, Mauricio Smith, Jordan Lind, Davonte Cleveland and Cam Benzel as the Capitals begin a new season at home. The team’s 2026 roster page also lists Carlos Angel Jr., Kaleb Hughley, Joey Potts, RJ Veliz, TJ Doman, Brett Hollins, Jack Boydell and Joel Meske.
Jason Conrad, the team’s owner and now interim head coach, said the night was important beyond the final score.
“Tonight was special,” Conrad said. “The energy from the community was incredible and you could feel the support from the moment people walked into the building. The Salem Capitals and Blossoms are proud to represent this city, and we’re grateful for a community that shows up the way Salem does. Our goal is to keep giving that same support right back—on and off the court.”
The Capitals also leaned into the family atmosphere around the opener. Team information provided after the game said children took part in timeout activities, came onto the floor at halftime to dance, and were invited after the game to line the court for high-fives before autograph and photo opportunities with players and dancers. The team also said free posters were available for autographs and that the first 150 fans through the doors received thunder sticks.
Opening weekend gave Salem both a strong early turnout and an early test. The opener showed the Capitals can still draw a solid home crowd, and the win over Yakima gave Salem a better on-court response heading into the rest of the schedule. The next challenge will be turning that opening-weekend energy into consistency as the season settles in.