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1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

(lost to Lakers 0–4)

  • KIRO-TV
  • KTZZ-TV
  • Northwest Cable Sports (Kevin Calabro)

The 1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 22nd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. The SuperSonics had the 15th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected point guard Gary Grant from the University of Michigan, but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Michael Cage. During the off-season, the team signed free agent John Lucas.

The SuperSonics won their first three games of the regular 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 in third place in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record, earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Dale Ellis averaged 27.5 points and 1.3 steals per game, led the SuperSonics with 162 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Xavier McDaniel played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Derrick McKey became the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Cage provided the team 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 contributed 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Alton Lister provided with 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Ellis was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance; Ellis scored 27 points as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 143–134. In addition, Ellis also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth consecutive year, and won the competition. McDaniel finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, while McKey finished tied in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting.

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the SuperSonics faced off against the 5th–seeded Houston Rockets, who were led by the trio of All-Star center Akeem Olajuwon, Otis Thorpe and Sleepy Floyd. The SuperSonics won the first two games over the Rockets at home at the Seattle Center Coliseum, but then lost Game 3 on the road, 126–107 at The Summit. The SuperSonics then won Game 4 over the Rockets on the road, 98–96 to win the series in four games.

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who won the Pacific Division title; the team was led by the quartet of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Magic Johnson, All-Star forward James Worthy, Byron Scott, and All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The SuperSonics lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, before losing the next two games at home, which included a Game 4 loss to the Lakers at the Seattle Center Coliseum, 97–95, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep. The Lakers would reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals.

Following the season, Lister was traded to the Golden State Warriors, and Lucas signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets.

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft

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.

Seattle SuperSonics}}" width:10%;"RoundSeattle SuperSonics}}" width:10%;"PickSeattle SuperSonics}}" width:20%;"PlayerSeattle SuperSonics}}" width:15%;"PositionSeattle SuperSonics}}" width:15%;"NationalitySeattle SuperSonics}}" width:20%;"College
115Gary Grant (traded to L.A. Clippers)PGUnited StatesMichigan
365Corey GainesGUnited StatesLoyola Marymount

Roster

|-

  • Bernie Bickerstaff
  • Bob Kloppenburg
  • Tom Newell

Regular season

Season standings

:z – clinched division title :y – clinched division title :x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

|- | 1 | | at Utah Jazz | 104–97 | Dale Ellis (46) | | | Salt Palace 12,444

1–0
2

| | Denver Nuggets | 142–141 (OT) | Xavier McDaniel (28) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,269

2–0
3

| | at Sacramento Kings | 97–75 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | ARCO Arena (II) 16,517

3–0
4

| | Golden State Warriors | 108–113 | John Lucas (25) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

3–1
5

| | at L.A. Lakers | | Xavier McDaniel (20) | | | Great Western Forum 17,505

3–2
6

| | at Denver Nuggets | 129–141 | Dale Ellis (29) | | | McNichols Sports Arena 12,401

3–3
7

| | L.A. Lakers | | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,576

4–3
8

| | Dallas Mavericks | 106–112 | Xavier McDaniel (31) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,608

4–4
9

| | Portland Trail Blazers | 104–125 | Dale Ellis (22) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 10,956

4–5
10

| | at Golden State Warriors | 93–85 | Dale Ellis (36) | | | Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,770

5–5
11

| | at Phoenix Suns | 105–110 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,710

5–6
12

| | Utah Jazz | 109–102 | Dale Ellis (31) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 12,336

6–6
13

| | at L.A. Lakers | | Dale Ellis (36) | | | Great Western Forum 17,505

6–7
14

| | Los Angeles Clippers | 154–104 | Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

7–7
15

| | Golden State Warriors | 136–106 | Dale Ellis (36) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 10,571

8–7
16

| | at San Antonio Spurs | 112–107 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | HemisFair Arena Not announced

9–7
17

| | at Dallas Mavericks | 98–102 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | Reunion Arena 17,007

9–8
18

| | at Houston Rockets | 91–110 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | The Summit 16,611

9–9
19

| | Phoenix Suns | 126–116 | Dale Ellis (33) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 13,500

10–9
20

| | San Antonio Spurs | 122–107 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

11–9
21

| | Sacramento Kings | 141–111 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

12–9
22

| | at Atlanta Hawks | 118–121 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | The Omni 14,808

12–10
23

| | at Miami Heat | 109–101 | Xavier McDaniel (23) | | | Miami Arena 15,008

13–10
24

| | at Cleveland Cavaliers | 107–119 (OT) | Dale Ellis (32) | | | Richfield Coliseum 15,857

13–11
25

| | at Los Angeles Clippers | 100–104 | Dale Ellis (24) | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,505

13–12
26

| | Miami Heat | 129–99 | Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (25) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,794

14–12
27

| | L.A. Lakers | | Dale Ellis (42) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,645

15–12
28

| | Sacramento Kings | 120–106 | Dale Ellis (49) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

16–12
29

| | Portland Trail Blazers | 129–123 | Xavier McDaniel (29) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,726

17–12
30

| | Cleveland Cavaliers | 105–103 | Derrick McKey (32) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 13,119

18–12
31

| | at Portland Trail Blazers | 109–125 | Michael Cage (24) | | | Memorial Coliseum 12,848

18–13
32

| | Dallas Mavericks | 130–95 | Dale Ellis (36) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,290

19–13
33

| | at Sacramento Kings | 102–93 | Dale Ellis (31) | | | ARCO Arena (II) 16,517

20–13
34

| | at Golden State Warriors | 117–146 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,340

20–14
35

| | Los Angeles Clippers | 130–107 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,402

21–14
36

| | Houston Rockets | 124–108 | Xavier McDaniel (29) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,146

22–14
37

| | New York Knicks | 121–119 | Xavier McDaniel (36) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810

23–14
38

| | at Portland Trail Blazers | 103–100 | Derrick McKey (34) | | | Memorial Coliseum 12,848

24–14
39

| | Atlanta Hawks | 119–112 | Derrick McKey (28) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 23,362

25–14
40

| | Milwaukee Bucks | 112–106 | Derrick McKey (23) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 20,009

26–14
41

| | New Jersey Nets | 112–118 | Dale Ellis (33) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

26–15
42

| | at Miami Heat | 100–93 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Miami Arena 14,798

27–15
43

| | at Charlotte Hornets | 106–108 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Charlotte Coliseum 23,388

27–16
44

| | at Boston Celtics | 89–87 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Boston Garden 14,890

28–16
45

| | at New Jersey Nets | 99–109 | Dale Ellis (34) | | | Brendan Byrne Arena Not announced

28–17
46

| | at Philadelphia 76ers | 102–109 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | The Spectrum 11,224 | 28–18

- align="center"
47

| | San Antonio Spurs | 129–113 | Xavier McDaniel (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,506

29–18
48

| | at Phoenix Suns | 112–135 | Dale Ellis (21) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,800

29–19
49

| | Washington Bullets | 126–112 | Derrick McKey (26) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 12,570

30–19
50

| | at Portland Trail Blazers | 116–115 | Xavier McDaniel (37) | | | Memorial Coliseum 12,848

31–19
51

| | Boston Celtics | 96–91 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,546

32–19
52

| | Sacramento Kings | 94–97 | Xavier McDaniel (26) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,780

32–20
53

| | at Sacramento Kings | 116–107 | Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (27) | | | ARCO Arena (II) 16,517

33–20
54

| | Indiana Pacers | 106–108 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

33–21
55

| | Houston Rockets | 118–108 | Dale Ellis (39) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,415

34–21
56

| | Philadelphia 76ers | 118–104 | Xavier McDaniel (25) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,688

35–21
57

| | at Indiana Pacers | 110–92 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Market Square Arena Not announced

36–21
58

| | at Detroit | | Derrick McKey (21) | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454

36–22
59

| | at Milwaukee Bucks | 90–102 | Russ Schoene (18) | | | Bradley Center 18,633

36–23
60

| | at Chicago Bulls | 88–105 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | Chicago Stadium 18,291

36–24
61

| | at Washington Bullets | 101–106 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | Capital Centre Not announced

36–25
62

| | at New York Knicks | 110–116 | Xavier McDaniel (34) | | | Madison Square Garden (IV) 18,759

36–26
63

| | Charlotte Hornets | 108–88 | Dale Ellis (32) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced

37–26
64

| | at Phoenix Suns | 104–122 | Dale Ellis (29) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471

37–27
65

| | Utah Jazz | 101–96 | Dale Ellis (31) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,500

38–27
66

| | Los Angeles Clippers | 115–112 | Dale Ellis (39) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 10,349

39–27
67

| | Chicago Bulls | 110–111 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810

39–28
68

| | at Utah Jazz | 105–124 | Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (16) | | | Salt Palace 12,444

39–29
69

| | at Houston Rockets | 117–120 | Dale Ellis (36) | | | The Summit 16,611

39–30
70

| | at Denver Nuggets | 116–123 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | McNichols Sports Arena 14,851

39–31
71

| | Detroit | | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810

39–32
72

| | L.A. Lakers | | Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (23) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810

39–33
73

| | Phoenix Suns | 119–126 | Xavier McDaniel (37) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,457

39–34
74

| | at Dallas Mavericks | 114–90 | Dale Ellis (34) | | | Reunion Arena 17,007

40–34
75

| | at San Antonio Spurs | 102–89 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | HemisFair Arena 12,448

41–34
76

| | Miami Heat | 116–111 | Xavier McDaniel (35) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 11,267

42–34
77

| | Denver Nuggets | 125–92 | Dale Ellis (32) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250

43–34
78

| | at Golden State Warriors | 116–109 (OT) | Derrick McKey (28) | | | Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025

44–34
79

| | Golden State Warriors | 122–118 | Xavier McDaniel Dale Ellis (35) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 13,568

45–34
80

| | Portland Trail Blazers | 124–118 | Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (31) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,320

46–34
81

| | at Los Angeles Clippers | 139–136 (OT) | Xavier McDaniel (30) | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,280

47–34
82

| | at L.A. Lakers | | Xavier McDaniel (39) | | | Great Western Forum 17,505 | 47–35

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | | Houston | | Dale Ellis (25) | Xavier McDaniel (11) | Nate McMillan (11) | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | | Houston | | Lister, McDaniel (20) | Olden Polynice (10) | Nate McMillan (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum 12,887 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | | @ Houston | | Dale Ellis (26) | Michael Cage (10) | Nate McMillan (10) | The Summit 16,611 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | | @ Houston | | Dale Ellis (26) | Xavier McDaniel (10) | Nate McMillan (10) | The Summit 16,611

3–1
- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
1

| | @ L.A. Lakers | | Derrick McKey (23) | Olden Polynice (10) | Nate McMillan (12) | Great Western Forum 17,505 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | | @ L.A. Lakers | | Xavier McDaniel (17) | Xavier McDaniel (8) | Sedale Threatt (9) | Great Western Forum 17,505 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | | L.A. Lakers | | Dale Ellis (30) | Xavier McDaniel (12) | Sedale Threatt (9) | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,541 | 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | | L.A. Lakers | | Xavier McDaniel (30) | Xavier McDaniel (11) | Nate McMillan (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum 14,006

0–4

Player statistics

Note: PG= per game; M= Minutes; R= Rebounds; A= Assists; S = Steals; B = Blocks; P = Points; T = Turnovers; PF = Personal fouls

Season

PlayerAgeGames playedMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGTPGPFPGPPG
Greg Ballard3427.53.50.00.00.00.01.53.0
Michael Cage278031.79.61.61.20.71.62.310.3
Mike Champion2422.00.00.00.00.00.51.00.0
Dale Ellis288238.94.22.01.30.32.72.427.5
Avery Johnson23436.80.61.70.50.10.40.81.6
Alton Lister308222.06.60.70.32.21.43.88.0
John Lucas357411.41.13.50.80.00.90.74.2
Xavier McDaniel258229.15.31.61.00.52.62.820.5
Derrick McKey228234.25.72.71.30.92.33.215.9
Nate McMillan247531.25.29.32.10.62.83.17.1
Olden Polynice248010.42.60.30.50.40.62.12.9
Jerry Reynolds265613.21.81.10.90.51.01.07.6
Russ Schoene286911.22.40.50.50.30.72.05.2
Sedale Threatt276319.41.93.81.30.11.22.58.6

Playoffs

PlayerAgeGames playedMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGTPGPFPGPPG
Michael Cage27821.95.80.60.90.41.01.87.1
Dale Ellis28838.04.01.31.40.12.62.422.9
Avery Johnson2365.20.70.80.70.00.00.21.8
Alton Lister30820.04.80.30.32.61.13.57.0
John Lucas3549.30.32.00.00.00.51.32.8
Xavier McDaniel25835.18.42.80.30.62.83.818.8
Derrick McKey22835.86.52.30.81.92.94.113.3
Nate McMillan24825.03.17.91.30.62.42.66.8
Olden Polynice24820.37.80.10.80.50.64.07.1
Jerry Reynolds26410.01.30.30.51.51.01.55.5
Russ Schoene28314.31.70.70.70.00.02.34.3
Sedale Threatt27825.11.66.12.10.01.42.812.0

Awards and records

1989 NBA All-Star Game selections (game played on February 12, 1989)

  • Dale Ellis

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

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerSignedFormer team
August 2, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)Avery JohnsonFree agentPalm Beach Stingrays
September 19, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)John LucasFree agentMilwaukee Bucks
October 4, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)Mike ChampionFree agentN/A (Undrafted)
February 13, [1989](1988-89-nba-season)Greg Ballard10-day contractGolden State Warriors
February 26, [1989](1988-89-nba-season)Mike Champion10-day contractN/A

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason leftNew team
October 25, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)Mike ChampionWaivedN/A
October 31, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)Danny YoungWaivedPortland Trail Blazers
October 31, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)Corey GainesWaivedNew Jersey Nets

Trades

Player Transactions Citation:

References

References

  1. "1988-89 Seattle SuperSonics". Basketball-reference.com.
  2. Goldaper, Sam. (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times.
  3. Baker, Chris. (June 29, 1988). "1988 NBA DRAFT: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant". Los Angeles Times.
  4. "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
  5. (September 20, 1988). "Basketball". The Washington Post.
  6. (November 7, 1988). "Don't Call Lucas "Grandpa"". The Spokesman-Review.
  7. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference.
  8. "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  9. Anstine, Dennis. (April 22, 1989). "NBA: SuperSonics' Xavier McDaniel; NEWLN: In Sonics' Lineup; "X" Marks the Spot". United Press International.
  10. McManis, Sam. (May 12, 1989). "X MARKS THE SPOT: And It's Up to Foes to Take It Away from Sonics' McDaniel". Los Angeles Times.
  11. Newman, Bruce. (February 11, 1991). "Xavier McDaniel Has Already Left His Mark on the Phoenix Suns, Who Hope His Arrival Will Help Bring an NBA Title". Sports Illustrated Vault.
  12. "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  13. McManis, Sam. (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times.
  14. (September 13, 2021). "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  15. "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference.
  16. Howard-Cooper, Scott. (February 12, 1989). "For Knicks' Walker, Slam Dunk Victory Occurs After a Loss". Los Angeles Times.
  17. "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference.
  18. (May 8, 1989). "Suns' Johnson Wins NBA's 6th Man Award". Los Angeles Times.
  19. "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
  20. (May 16, 1989). "Johnson Named Most Improved Player". Lewiston Tribune.
  21. Hafner, Dan. (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers". Los Angeles Times.
  22. (May 6, 1989). "McKey Buzzes Rockets". The Washington Post.
  23. "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference.
  24. McManis, Sam. (May 15, 1989). "NBA Playoffs: Deep Down, Lakers Knew They Could: L.A., Losing by 29, Runs to 97-95 Win". Los Angeles Times.
  25. Goldaper, Sam. (May 15, 1989). "Jordan Digs a Deeper Hole for Knicks". The New York Times.
  26. "1989 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference.
  27. Goldaper, Sam. (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times.
  28. McManis, Sam. (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times.
  29. "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference.
  30. (July 31, 1989). "Warriors Reportedly Get Lister from Sonics". Los Angeles Times.
  31. (August 7, 1989). "Sonics Trade Lister to Warriors". United Press International.
  32. (August 8, 1989). "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Sonics Trade Lister". The New York Times.
  33. (July 12, 1989). "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times.
  34. "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
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