1988–89 Houston Rockets season
NBA season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1988–89 NBA season was the Rockets' 22nd season in the NBA and 18th season in the city of Houston .[ 1] Houston hosted the All-Star Game this season. During the off-season, the Rockets acquired Otis Thorpe from the Sacramento Kings ,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] signed free agent Mike Woodson ,[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] and hired Don Chaney as their new head coach.[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Walter Berry , who was previously released by the New Jersey Nets .[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] The Rockets posted a six-game winning streak in December, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[ 15] Despite a 7-game losing streak between February and March, the team finished second in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record.[ 16]
Akeem Olajuwon averaged 24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game .[ 17] [ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] In addition, Thorpe averaged 16.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Sleepy Floyd contributed 14.2 points, 8.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game, Woodson provided the team with 12.9 points per game, and Buck Johnson contributed 9.6 points per game.[ 22] Olajuwon also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[ 23] [ 24] [ 25] [ 26] and in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[ 27] [ 28] [ 29] [ 30]
In the playoffs, the Rockets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in four games in the Western Conference First Round, losing Game 4 at home by just two points, 98–96.[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] [ 34]
Following the season, Purvis Short signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets ,[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] and Berry left to play overseas in Italy after only playing three seasons in the NBA.[ 38]
Draft picks
Roster
1988–89 Houston Rockets roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
6
Berry, Walter
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1964–05–14
St. John's
F
3
Chievous, Derrick
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1967–07–03
Missouri
G
21
Floyd, Sleepy
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1960–03–06
Georgetown
F
1
Johnson, Buck
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1964–01–03
Alabama
G
15
Johnson, Frank
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1958–11–23
Wake Forest
G
30
Leavell, Allen
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1957–05–27
Oklahoma City
C
40
McCormick, Tim
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1962–03–10
Michigan
C
52
Nevitt, Chuck
7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)
217 lb (98 kg)
1959–06–13
NC State
C
34
Olajuwon, Akeem
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
1963–01–21
Houston
F
10
Short, Purvis
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1957–07–02
Jackson State
F
33
Thorpe, Otis
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1962–08–05
Providence
G
42
Woodson, Mike
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1958–03–24
Indiana
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: February 16, 1989
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
Regular season
1988–89 game log Total: 45–37 (home: 31–10; road: 14–27)
November: 9–6 (home: 6–3; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1
November 4, 1988
@ Denver
L 117–120
McNichols Sports Arena
0–1
2
November 5, 1988
Dallas
L 113–114 (OT)
The Summit
0–2
3
November 8, 1988
San Antonio
W 120–102
The Summit
1–2
4
November 10, 1988
Utah
W 106–99
The Summit
2–2
5
November 11, 1988
@ Miami
W 121–100
Miami Arena
3–2
6
November 13, 1988
Sacramento
W 129–127
The Summit
4–2
7
November 15, 1988
New York
L 121–126
The Summit
4–3
8
November 17, 1988
Miami
W 113–107
The Summit
5–3
9
November 19, 1988
Detroit
W 109–98
The Summit
6–3
10
November 21, 1988
Atlanta
W 117–113
The Summit
7–3
11
November 23, 1988
@ Utah
L 99–102
Salt Palace
7–4
12
November 25, 1988
@ Portland
L 94–111
Memorial Coliseum
7–5
13
November 26, 1988
@ Golden State
W 119–109
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
8–5
14
November 29, 1988
Phoenix
L 107–124
The Summit
8–6
15
November 30, 1988
@ Dallas
W 101–89
Reunion Arena
9–6
December: 9–5 (home: 7–0; road: 2–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
16
December 2, 1988
@ Phoenix
L 95–110
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9–7
17
December 3, 1988
Charlotte
W 108–104
The Summit
10–7
18
December 6, 1988
Cleveland
W 106–105
The Summit
11–7
19
December 8, 1988
@ L.A. Clippers
L 116–120
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11–8
20
December 10, 1988
Seattle
W 110–91
The Summit
12–8
21
December 13, 1988
@ Denver
L 101–126
McNichols Sports Arena
12–9
22
December 15, 1988
Golden State
W 124–115 (2OT)
The Summit
13–9
23
December 18, 1988
San Antonio
W 120–109
The Summit
14–9
24
December 20, 1988
Sacramento
W 105–104
The Summit
15–9
25
December 22, 1988
L.A. Clippers
W 125–109
The Summit
16–9
26
December 26, 1988
@ Charlotte
W 97–95
Charlotte Coliseum
17–9
27
December 27, 1988
@ Miami
W 101–93
Miami Arena
18–9
28
December 29, 1988
@ Washington
L 109–126
Capital Centre
18–10
29
December 30, 1988
@ Detroit
L 83–95
The Palace of Auburn Hills
18–11
January: 7–6 (home: 5–2; road: 2–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
30
January 3, 1989
Utah
W 104–102
The Summit
19–11
31
January 7, 1989
Philadelphia
L 95–96
The Summit
19–12
32
January 11, 1989
@ San Antonio
W 122–117 (OT)
HemisFair Arena
20–12
33
January 12, 1989
Portland
W 116–106
The Summit
21–12
34
January 14, 1989
Dallas
W 110–98
The Summit
22–12
35
January 16, 1989
@ L.A. Lakers
L 113–124
Great Western Forum
22–13
36
January 17, 1989
@ Sacramento
L 109–123
ARCO Arena
22–14
37
January 19, 1989
@ Seattle
L 108–124
Seattle Center Coliseum
22–15
38
January 20, 1989
@ Golden State
L 114–121
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
22–16
39
January 24, 1989
Miami
W 118–93
The Summit
23–16
40
January 26, 1989
L.A. Clippers
W 106–100
The Summit
24–16
42
January 28, 1989
@ San Antonio
W 96–91
HemisFair Arena
25–17
42
January 31, 1989
L.A. Lakers
L 114–125
The Summit
25–17
February: 6–6 (home: 4–1; road: 2–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
43
February 3, 1989
Chicago
W 105–98
The Summit
26–17
44
February 5, 1989
Denver
W 124–112
The Summit
27–17
45
February 8, 1989
@ L.A. Clippers
L 111–114
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
27–18
46
February 9, 1989
@ Portland
W 113–110
Memorial Coliseum
28–18
All-Star Break
47
February 14, 1989
Boston
W 137–123
The Summit
29–18
48
February 17, 1989
Denver
W 121–111
The Summit
30–18
49
February 18, 1989
@ Dallas
W 105–94
Reunion Arena
31–18
50
February 20, 1989
@ Cleveland
L 90–110
Richfield Coliseum
31–19
51
February 21, 1989
@ New York
L 115–120
Madison Square Garden
31–20
52
February 24, 1989
@ Chicago
L 97–106
Chicago Stadium
31–21
53
February 25, 1989
@ Milwaukee
L 105–121
Bradley Center
31–22
54
February 27, 1989
Washington
L 98–104
The Summit
31–23
March: 8–8 (home: 7–2; road: 1–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
55
March 2, 1989
@ Denver
L 103–113
McNichols Sports Arena
31–24
56
March 3, 1989
@ Seattle
L 108–118
Seattle Center Coliseum
31–25
57
March 5, 1989
L.A. Lakers
W 88–83
The Summit
32–25
58
March 8, 1989
@ Utah
L 80–117
Salt Palace
32–26
59
March 10, 1989
Dallas
W 96–86
The Summit
33–26
60
March 11, 1989
New Jersey
W 124–94
The Summit
34–26
61
March 13, 1989
@ L.A. Lakers
L 96–97
Great Western Forum
34–27
62
March 14, 1989
@ Sacramento
L 90–95
ARCO Arena
34–28
63
March 16, 1989
Milwaukee
W 120–104
The Summit
35–28
64
March 18, 1989
Portland
W 127–113
The Summit
36–28
65
March 21, 1989
Denver
L 110–112
The Summit
36–29
66
March 24, 1989
Utah
L 99–102
The Summit
36–30
67
March 25, 1989
Golden State
W 144–104
The Summit
37–30
68
March 28, 1989
Seattle
W 120–117
The Summit
38–30
69
March 30, 1989
@ New Jersey
W 109–101
Brendan Byrne Arena
39–30
70
March 31, 1989
@ Boston
L 109–126
Boston Garden
39–31
April: 6–6 (home: 2–2; road: 4–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
71
April 2, 1989
@ Philadelphia
L 99–108
The Spectrum
39–32
72
April 4, 1989
@ Indiana
W 90–88
Market Square Arena
40–32
73
April 7, 1989
@ Atlanta
L 112–120 (OT)
The Omni
40–33
74
April 8, 1989
@ Miami
L 104–107 (OT)
Miami Arena
40–34
75
April 11, 1989
Indiana
W 108–99
The Summit
41–35
76
April 13, 1989
Phoenix
L 111–119
The Summit
41–35
77
April 14, 1989
@ Utah
L 96–122
Salt Palace
41–36
78
April 16, 1989
@ Dallas
W 114–112 (OT)
Reunion Arena
42–36
79
April 17, 1989
San Antonio
W 99–91
The Summit
43–36
80
April 19, 1989
@ San Antonio
W 99–84
HemisFair Arena
44–36
81
April 21, 1989
@ Phoenix
W 112–101
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
45–36
82
April 22, 1989
Miami
L 89–91
The Summit
45–37
1988–89 schedule
Playoffs
1989 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
1989 schedule
Player statistics
Season
Player
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3FG%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Playoffs
Player
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3FG%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Awards and records
Transactions
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it .
(January 2011 )
References
^ 1988-89 Houston Rockets
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Signed, Then Traded" . The New York Times . October 12, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022 .
^ "Rockets Trade 2 for Sacramento's Otis Thorpe" . Los Angeles Times . October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Aldridge, David (October 12, 1988). "Bullets Lose Out on Thorpe" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ "Rockets Trade Petersen, McCray for Otis Thorpe" . Deseret News . Associated Press. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Former Clipper Woodson Signs with Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. July 20, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Luna, Richard (July 20, 1988). "Guard Mike Woodson, Who Led the Los Angeles Clippers..." United Press International . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Cooper, Barry (November 4, 1988). "1. Atlanta Hawks" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved April 3, 2023 .
^ "Sports People; Speculation on Chaney" . The New York Times . June 11, 1988. Retrieved January 26, 2023 .
^ "Chaney Hired to Take Over Bickering Rockets" . Los Angeles Times . June 14, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Cotton, Anthony (June 14, 1988). "Chaney Officially In at Houston" . The Washington Post . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "Sports Digest" . United Press International . February 2, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024 .
^ "Rockets Sign Wandering Berry" . Orlando Sentinel . February 3, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024 .
^ Valenti, John (February 26, 1989). "Berry Starts Fourth "New Beginning" " . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 13, 2024 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ Robinson, John (February 1, 1989). "Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad" . Deseret News . Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ 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 . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights" . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ "Magic Named MVP 2nd Time: Jordan Edged Out in Closest Vote in 8 Years" . Los Angeles Times . Times Wire Services. May 22, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024 .
^ "Malone Finishes 3rd in NBA MVP Voting" . Deseret News . Associated Press. May 22, 1989. Retrieved September 15, 2023 .
^ McManis, Sam (May 23, 1989). "Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "Jordan 2nd in Close MVP Vote" . Chicago Tribune . May 23, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024 .
^ "IN BRIEF: Utah's Eaton Gets Defensive Award" . Los Angeles Times . Times Wire Services. May 11, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Sports Digest" . United Press International . May 11, 1989. Retrieved February 29, 2024 .
^ Kragthorpe, Kurt (May 12, 1989). "Jazz's Eaton Honored as Top Defender" . Deseret News . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 14, 2022 .
^ Hafner, Dan (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "McKey Buzzes Rockets" . The Washington Post . May 6, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Luna, Richard (May 6, 1989). "SuperSonics Eliminate Rockets" . United Press International . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ "Sports Digest" . United Press International . September 21, 1989. Retrieved November 4, 2024 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Sign Short to One-Year Contract" . The New York Times . September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "Names in the News" . Los Angeles Times . September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Berry Taking New Approach in Italy" . The Victoria Advocate . Associated Press. December 27, 1990. p. 2B. Retrieved May 13, 2024 .
See also
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