NBA professional basketball team 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 finished third in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record.[3] Dale Ellis led the team in scoring with 27.5 points per game, was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game ,[4] while Xavier McDaniel averaged 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, 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, and Nate McMillan averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals 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 the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games in the Western Conference Semi-finals.[7] The Sonics finished nineteenth in the NBA in attendance for the season.
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 second round, they selected guard Corey Gaines .
Roster [ ]
1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB (YYYY-MM-DD)
From
F
42
Ballard, Greg
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1955-01-29
Oregon
F
44
Cage, Michael
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
224 lb (102 kg)
1962-01-28
San Diego State
F
41
Champion, Mike
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1964-04-05
Gonzaga
G
3
Ellis, Dale
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1960-08-06
Tennessee
G
15
Johnson, Avery
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1965-03-25
Southern
C
53
Lister, Alton
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1958-10-01
Arizona State
G
20
Lucas, John
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1953-10-31
Maryland
F
34
McDaniel, Xavier
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1963-06-04
Wichita State
F
31
McKey, Derrick
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1966-10-10
Alabama
G
10
McMillan, Nate
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1964-08-03
North Carolina State
C
23
Polynice, Olden
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1964-11-21
Virginia
G
35
Reynolds, Jerry
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1962-12-23
LSU
F
40
Schoene, Russ
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1960-04-16
Chattanooga
G
4
Threatt, Sedale
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1961-09-10
West Virginia Tech
Head coach
Legend
(C) Team captain(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster
Regular season [ ]
Season standings [ ]
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents [ ]
1988-89 NBA Records
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 [ ]
1988–89 game log
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
1
November 4
at Utah Jazz
104–97
Dale Ellis (46)
Salt Palace 12,444
1–0
2
November 5
Denver Nuggets
142–141 (OT)
Xavier McDaniel (28)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,269
2–0
3
November 8
at Sacramento Kings
97–75
Dale Ellis (28)
ARCO Arena (II) 16,517
3–0
4
November 9
Golden State Warriors
108–113
John Lucas (25)
Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced
3–1
5
November 11
at Los Angeles Lakers
103–114
Xavier McDaniel (20)
Great Western Forum 17,505
3–2
6
November 12
at Denver Nuggets
129–141
Dale Ellis (29)
McNichols Sports Arena 12,401
3–3
7
November 17
Los Angeles Lakers
101–98
Dale Ellis (27)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,576
4–3
8
November 19
Dallas Mavericks
106–112
Xavier McDaniel (31)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,608
4–4
9
November 22
Portland Trail Blazers
104–125
Dale Ellis (22)
Seattle Center Coliseum 10,956
4–5
10
November 23
at Golden State Warriors
93–85
Dale Ellis (36)
Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,770
5–5
11
November 25
at Phoenix Suns
105–110
Dale Ellis (28)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,710
5–6
12
November 29
Utah Jazz
109–102
Dale Ellis (31)
Seattle Center Coliseum 12,336
6–6
13
November 30
at Los Angeles Lakers
106–110
Dale Ellis (36)
Great Western Forum 17,505
6–7
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
27
January 3
Los Angeles Lakers
116–106
Dale Ellis (42)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,645
15–12
28
January 5
Sacramento Kings
120–106
Dale Ellis (49)
Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced
16–12
29
January 7
Portland Trail Blazers
129–123
Xavier McDaniel (29)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,726
17–12
30
January 9
Cleveland Cavaliers
105–103
Derrick McKey (32)
Seattle Center Coliseum 13,119
18–12
31
January 10
at Portland Trail Blazers
109–125
Michael Cage (24)
Memorial Coliseum 12,848
18–13
32
January 12
Dallas Mavericks
130–95
Dale Ellis (36)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,290
19–13
33
January 14
at Sacramento Kings
102–93
Dale Ellis (31)
ARCO Arena (II) 16,517
20–13
34
January 16
at Golden State Warriors
117–146
Dale Ellis (26)
Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,340
20–14
35
January 17
Los Angeles Clippers
130–107
Dale Ellis (28)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,402
21–14
36
January 19
Houston Rockets
124–108
Xavier McDaniel (29)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,146
22–14
37
January 21
New York Knicks
121–119
Xavier McDaniel (36)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810
23–14
38
January 24
at Portland Trail Blazers
103–100
Derrick McKey (34)
Memorial Coliseum 12,848
24–14
39
January 27
Atlanta Hawks
119–112
Derrick McKey (28)
Seattle Center Coliseum 23,362
25–14
40
January 29
Milwaukee Bucks
112–106
Derrick McKey (23)
Seattle Center Coliseum 20,009
26–14
41
January 31
New Jersey Nets
112–118
Dale Ellis (33)
Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced
26–15
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
42
February 2
at Miami Heat
100–93
Dale Ellis (30)
Miami Arena 14,798
27–15
43
February 3
at Charlotte Hornets
106–108
Dale Ellis (27)
Charlotte Coliseum 23,388
27–16
44
February 5
at Boston Celtics
89–87
Dale Ellis (30)
Boston Garden 14,890
28–16
45
February 7
at New Jersey Nets
99–109
Dale Ellis (34)
Brendan Byrne Arena Not announced
28–17
46
February 8
at Philadelphia 76ers
102–109
Dale Ellis (30)
The Spectrum 11,224
28–18
47
February 14
San Antonio Spurs
129–113
Xavier McDaniel (30)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,506
29–18
48
February 15
at Phoenix Suns
112–135
Dale Ellis (21)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,800
29–19
49
February 17
Washington Bullets
126–112
Derrick McKey (26)
Seattle Center Coliseum 12,570
30–19
50
February 18
at Portland Trail Blazers
116–115
Xavier McDaniel (37)
Memorial Coliseum 12,848
31–19
51
February 21
Boston Celtics
96–91
Dale Ellis (30)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,546
32–19
52
February 25
Sacramento Kings
94–97
Xavier McDaniel (26)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,780
32–20
53
February 27
at Sacramento Kings
116–107
Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (27)
ARCO Arena (II) 16,517
33–20
54
February 28
Indiana Pacers
106–108
Dale Ellis (30)
Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced
33–21
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
55
March 3
Houston Rockets
118–108
Dale Ellis (39)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,415
34–21
56
March 4
Philadelphia 76ers
118–104
Xavier McDaniel (25)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,688
35–21
57
March 7
at Indiana Pacers
110–92
Dale Ellis (27)
Market Square Arena Not announced
36–21
58
March 8
at Detroit Pistons
96–112
Derrick McKey (21)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
36–22
59
March 10
at Milwaukee Bucks
90–102
Russ Schoene (18)
Bradley Center 18,633
36–23
60
March 11
at Chicago Bulls
88–105
Dale Ellis (26)
Chicago Stadium 18,291
36–24
61
March 13
at Washington Bullets
101–106
Dale Ellis (28)
Capital Centre Not announced
36–25
62
March 14
at New York Knicks
110–116
Xavier McDaniel (34)
Madison Square Garden (IV) 18,759
36–26
63
March 16
Charlotte Hornets
108–88
Dale Ellis (32)
Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced
37–26
64
March 18
at Phoenix Suns
104–122
Dale Ellis (29)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
37–27
65
March 21
Utah Jazz
101–96
Dale Ellis (31)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,500
38–27
66
March 23
Los Angeles Clippers
115–112
Dale Ellis (39)
Seattle Center Coliseum 10,349
39–27
67
March 25
Chicago Bulls
110–111
Dale Ellis (30)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810
39–28
68
March 27
at Utah Jazz
105–124
Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (16)
Salt Palace 12,444
39–29
69
March 28
at Houston Rockets
117–120
Dale Ellis (36)
The Summit 16,611
39–30
70
March 30
at Denver Nuggets
116–123
Dale Ellis (26)
McNichols Sports Arena 14,851
39–31
71
March 31
Detroit Pistons
108–111
Dale Ellis (30)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810
39–32
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
72
April 4
Los Angeles Lakers
97–115
Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (23)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810
39–33
73
April 6
Phoenix Suns
119–126
Xavier McDaniel (37)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,457
39–34
74
April 8
at Dallas Mavericks
114–90
Dale Ellis (34)
Reunion Arena 17,007
40–34
75
April 10
at San Antonio Spurs
102–89
Dale Ellis (28)
HemisFair Arena 12,448
41–34
76
April 13
Miami Heat
116–111
Xavier McDaniel (35)
Seattle Center Coliseum 11,267
42–34
77
April 15
Denver Nuggets
125–92
Dale Ellis (32)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250
43–34
78
April 17
at Golden State Warriors
116–109 (OT)
Derrick McKey (28)
Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
44–34
79
April 18
Golden State Warriors
122–118
Xavier McDaniel Dale Ellis (35)
Seattle Center Coliseum 13,568
45–34
80
April 20
Portland Trail Blazers
124–118
Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (31)
Seattle Center Coliseum 14,320
46–34
81
April 21
at Los Angeles Clippers
139–136 (OT)
Xavier McDaniel (30)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,280
47–34
82
April 23
at Los Angeles Lakers
117–121
Xavier McDaniel (39)
Great Western Forum 17,505
47–35
1988–89 season schedule
Green background indicates win.
Red background indicates loss.
Playoffs [ ]
1989 playoff game log
First round: 3–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–1)
Conference Semi-finals: 0–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–2)
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
Transactions [ ]
Free agents [ ]
Additions [ ]
Subtractions [ ]
Trades [ ]
Player Transactions Citation:[9]
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 .
^ https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/bickebe99c.html
^ "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
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