1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season
The 1988–89 NBA season was the Seattle SuperSonics' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Sonics acquired Michael Cage from the Los Angeles Clippers.[2] The SuperSonics won their first three games of the season, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break. However, the team lost seven straight games between March and April, but then posted an 8-game winning streak afterwards, and finished third in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record.[3]
1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Bernie Bickerstaff |
General manager | Bob Whitsitt |
Owner(s) | Barry Ackerley |
Arena | Seattle Center Coliseum |
Results | |
Record | 47–35 (.573) |
Place | Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western) |
Playoff finish | Conference Semi-finals (Lost to Lakers 0–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | |
Radio | KJR (Kevin Calabro) |
Dale Ellis averaged 27.5 points and 1.3 steals per game, finished second in the league with 162 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game,[4] while Xavier McDaniel averaged 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game off the bench, and second-year forward Derrick McKey provided the team with 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Cage provided with 10.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Sedale Threatt contributed 8.6 points and 3.8 assists per game off the bench, Nate McMillan averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Alton Lister contributed 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.[5]
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics defeated the Houston Rockets in four games in the Western Conference First Round,[6] before being swept by Magic Johnson, and the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games in the Western Conference Semi-finals.[7] Following the season, Lister was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Draft picks
At the 1988 Draft, the SuperSonics got the fifteenth overall pick behind the Phoenix Suns. With their first round pick, the SuperSonics selected Gary Grant, but he would be traded on draft night along with a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Michael Cage. In the third round, they selected guard Corey Gaines.
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 | Gary Grant (traded to L.A. Clippers) | PG | ![]() | Michigan |
3 | 65 | Corey Gaines | G | ![]() | Loyola Marymount |
Roster
Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Regular season
Season standings
Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Los Angeles Lakers | 57 | 25 | .695 | – | 35–6 | 22–19 | 25–9 |
x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 | 35–6 | 20–21 | 23–11 |
x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 | 31–10 | 16–25 | 20–14 |
x-Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 | 29–12 | 14–27 | 15–19 |
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 18 | 28–13 | 11–30 | 17–17 |
Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 30 | 21–20 | 6–35 | 12–22 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | 17–24 | 4–37 | 7–27 |
# | Western Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | c-Los Angeles Lakers | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
2 | y-Utah Jazz | 51 | 31 | .622 | 6 |
3 | x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
4 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 |
5 | x-Houston Rockets | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 |
6 | x-Denver Nuggets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 13 |
7 | x-Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 |
8 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 18 |
9 | Dallas Mavericks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 |
10 | Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 30 |
11 | San Antonio Spurs | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 |
12 | Los Angeles Clippers | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 |
13 | Miami Heat | 15 | 67 | .183 | 42 |
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1988-89 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Boston | 1–3 | – | 6–0 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 |
Charlotte | 1–4 | 0–6 | – | 1–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 |
Chicago | 2–4 | 3–1 | 4–1 | – | 0–6 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Cleveland | 2–4 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | – | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Dallas | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 6–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 |
Denver | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | – | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–0 |
Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | – | 1–3 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 |
Indiana | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 5–0 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Miami | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 |
Milwaukee | 0–6 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 4–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 |
New Jersey | 1–4 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | – | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–5 |
New York | 2–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | – | 2–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 4–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 0–5 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | – | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | – | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
San Antonio | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | – | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 4–0 | – | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–3 | – | 2–0 |
Washington | 1–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
- Green background indicates win.
- Red background indicates loss.
Playoffs
1989 playoff game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First round: 3–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–1)
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Conference Semi-finals: 0–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–2)
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1989 schedule |
Player statistics
Note: PG= per game; M= Minutes; R= Rebounds; A= Assists; S = Steals; B = Blocks; P = Points; T = Turnovers; PF = Personal fouls
Season
Player | Age | Games played | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | PFPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greg Ballard | 34 | 2 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 |
Michael Cage | 27 | 80 | 31.7 | 9.6 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 10.3 |
Mike Champion | 24 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Dale Ellis | 28 | 82 | 38.9 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 27.5 |
Avery Johnson | 23 | 43 | 6.8 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
Alton Lister | 30 | 82 | 22.0 | 6.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 8.0 |
John Lucas | 35 | 74 | 11.4 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 4.2 |
Xavier McDaniel | 25 | 82 | 29.1 | 5.3 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 20.5 |
Derrick McKey | 22 | 82 | 34.2 | 5.7 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 15.9 |
Nate McMillan | 24 | 75 | 31.2 | 5.2 | 9.3 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 7.1 |
Olden Polynice | 24 | 80 | 10.4 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
Jerry Reynolds | 26 | 56 | 13.2 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 7.6 |
Russ Schoene | 28 | 69 | 11.2 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 5.2 |
Sedale Threatt | 27 | 63 | 19.4 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 8.6 |
Playoffs
Player | Age | Games played | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | PFPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Cage | 27 | 8 | 21.9 | 5.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 7.1 |
Dale Ellis | 28 | 8 | 38.0 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 22.9 |
Avery Johnson | 23 | 6 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.8 |
Alton Lister | 30 | 8 | 20.0 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
John Lucas | 35 | 4 | 9.3 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.8 |
Xavier McDaniel | 25 | 8 | 35.1 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 18.8 |
Derrick McKey | 22 | 8 | 35.8 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 13.3 |
Nate McMillan | 24 | 8 | 25.0 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 6.8 |
Olden Polynice | 24 | 8 | 20.3 | 7.8 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 7.1 |
Jerry Reynolds | 26 | 4 | 10.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 5.5 |
Russ Schoene | 28 | 3 | 14.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 4.3 |
Sedale Threatt | 27 | 8 | 25.1 | 1.6 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 12.0 |
Awards and records
1989 NBA All-Star Game selections (game played on February 12, 1989)
Non All-Star Awards and records
- Dale Ellis, All-NBA Third Team
- Dale Ellis, January 8 Player of the Week
- Xavier McDaniel, April 23 Player of the Week
Transactions
Additions
Date | Player | Signed | Former team |
---|---|---|---|
August 2, 1988 | Avery Johnson | Free agent | Palm Beach Stingrays |
September 19, 1988 | John Lucas | Free agent | Milwaukee Bucks |
October 4, 1988 | Mike Champion | Free agent | N/A (Undrafted) |
February 13, 1989 | Greg Ballard | 10-day contract | Golden State Warriors |
February 26, 1989 | Mike Champion | 10-day contract | N/A |
Subtractions
Date | Player | Reason left | New team |
---|---|---|---|
October 25, 1988 | Mike Champion | Waived | N/A |
October 31, 1988 | Danny Young | Waived | Portland Trail Blazers |
October 31, 1988 | Corey Gaines | Waived | New Jersey Nets |
Trades
October 4, 1988 | To Seattle SuperSonics---- | To Milwaukee Bucks----
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Player Transactions Citation:[8]
See also
References
- "1988-89 Seattle SuperSonics". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". New York Times. June 29, 1988. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- "Cavaliers Edge Bulls in Overtime to Force Game 5". New York Times. May 6, 1989. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- "Jordan Digs a Deeper Hole for Knicks". New York Times. May 15, 1989. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.