1988–89 Houston Rockets 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] The Rockets posted a six-game winning streak in December, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[12] Despite a 7-game losing streak between February and March, the team finished second in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record.[13]

1988–89 Houston Rockets season
Head coachDon Chaney
General managerRay Patterson
Owner(s)Charlie Thomas
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record45–37 (.549)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Midwest)
Conference: 5th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to SuperSonics 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
(Bill Worrell, McCoy McLemore)
RadioKTRH
(Gene Peterson, Bill Foley)

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.[14][15][16][17][18] 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.[19] Olajuwon also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[20][21] and in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[22][23][24]

In the playoffs, the Rockets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in four games in the Western Conference First Round.[25][26][27][28] Following the season, Purvis Short signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets.[29][30]

Draft picks
Main article: 1988 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
116Derrick ChievousSF United StatesMissouri

Roster
1988–89 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 16, 1989

Regular season

Season standings
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz 5131.622–34–717–2419–11
x-Houston Rockets 4537.549631–1014–2719–11
x-Denver Nuggets 4438.537735–69–3218–12
Dallas Mavericks 3844.4631324–1714–2719–11
San Antonio Spurs 2161.2563018–233–389–21
Miami Heat 1567.1833612–293–386–24
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers5725.695–
2 y-Utah Jazz5131.6226
3 x-Phoenix Suns5527.6712
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics4735.57310
5 x-Houston Rockets4537.54912
6 x-Denver Nuggets4438.53713
7 x-Golden State Warriors4339.52414
8 x-Portland Trail Blazers3943.47618
9 Dallas Mavericks3844.46319
10 Sacramento Kings2755.32930
11 San Antonio Spurs2161.25636
12 Los Angeles Clippers2161.25636
13 Miami Heat1567.18342
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 —3–14–14–24–21–10–21–51–11–15–12–01–11–16–04–12–22–21–11–12–01–11–11–13–1
Boston 1–3—6–01–31–41–11–11–31–11–12–32–01–12–02–25–13–33–30–21–12–02–00–21–12–4
Charlotte 1–40–6—1–40–40–20–20–40–20–22–22–00–21–10–42–42–43–30–20–21–12–01–11–11–5
Chicago 2–43–14–1—0–62–01–10–61–11–14–21–12–02–06–02–23–21–31–12–02–02–02–00–23–1
Cleveland 2–44–14–06–0—2–02–03–31–11–15–11–10–22–03–34–02–23–22–02–02–02–01–11–12–2
Dallas 1–11–12–00–20–2—3–30–21–31–51–13–10–46–00–21–10–21–11–32–22–25–12–24–21–1
Denver 2–01–12–01–10–23–3—1–13–14–21–12–21–35–10–21–11–11–11–32–23–13–32–23–31–1
Detroit 5–13–14–06–03–32–01–1—1–11–14–22–02–02–02–44–00–45–02–01–12–02–02–02–05–0
Golden State 1–11–12–01–11–13–11–31–1—1–31–15–12–34–00–22–02–01–12–42–42–33–12–42–21–1
Houston 1–11–12–01–11–15–12–41–13–1—2–02–21–34–21–12–00–20–21–33–12–26–02–22–40–2
Indiana 1–53–22–22–41–51–11–12–41–10–2—1–10–21–12–41–30–50–41–12–01–12–01–11–11–3
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–21–11–11–32–20–21–52–21–1—1–51–30–21–10–20–21–51–52–33–11–41–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–12–00–22–04–03–10–23–23–12–05–1—4–01–11–11–12–03–35–05–13–14–21–31–1
Miami 1–10–21–10–20–20–61–50–20–42–41–13–10–4—0–21–11–10–20–40–41–32–40–41–50–2
Milwaukee 0–62–24–00–63–32–02–04–22–01–14–22–01–12–0—4–11–33–11–12–02–01–11–11–14–1
New Jersey 1–41–54–22–20–41–11–10–40–20–23–11–11–11–11–4—2–41–51–10–21–11–12–00–21–5
New York 2–23–34–22–32–22–01–14–00–22–05–02–01–11–13–14–2—2–41–12–01–11–11–11–15–1
Philadelphia 2–23–33–33–12–31–11–10–51–12–04–02–00–22–01–35–14–2—0–21–12–01–11–11–14–2
Phoenix 1–12–02–01–10–23–13–10–24–23–11–15–13–34–01–11–11–12–0—2–35–13–14–12–22–0
Portland 1–11–12–00–20–22–22–21–14–21–30–25–10–54–00–22–00–21–13–2—3–34–02–40–41–1
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–20–22–21–30–23–22–21–13–21–53–10–21–11–10–21–53–3—2–21–51–30–2
San Antonio 1–10–20–20–20–21–53–30–21–30–60–21–31–34–21–11–11–11–11–30–42–2—0–41–51–1
Seattle 1–12–01–10–21–12–22–20–24–22–21–14–12–44–01–10–21–11–11–44–25–14–0—3–11–1
Utah 1–11–11–12–01–12–43–30–22–24–21–13–13–15–11–12–01–11–12–24–03–15–11–3—2–0
Washington 1–34–25–11–32–21–11–10–51–12–03–12–01–12–01–45–11–52–40–21–12–01–11–10–2—

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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 28, 1989 @ Seattle L 107–111 Akeem Olajuwon (28) Akeem Olajuwon (9) Sleepy Floyd (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250		 0–1
2 April 30, 1989 @ Seattle L 97–109 Akeem Olajuwon (30) Akeem Olajuwon (12) Sleepy Floyd (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,887		 0–2
3 May 3, 1989 Seattle W 126–107 Sleepy Floyd (28) Akeem Olajuwon (18) Sleepy Floyd (6) The Summit
16,611		 1–2
4 May 5, 1989 Seattle L 96–98 Akeem Olajuwon (24) Akeem Olajuwon (13) Floyd, Woodson (7) The Summit
16,611		 1–3
1989 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

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

References
  1. 1988-89 Houston Rockets
  2. "SPORTS PEOPLE; Signed, Then Traded". The New York Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  3. "Rockets Trade 2 for Sacramento's Otis Thorpe". Los Angeles Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. Aldridge, David (October 12, 1988). "Bullets Lose Out on Thorpe". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. "Rockets Trade Petersen, McCray for Otis Thorpe". Deseret News. Associated Press. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. "Former Clipper Woodson Signs with Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 20, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  7. Luna, Richard (July 20, 1988). "Guard Mike Woodson, Who Led the Los Angeles Clippers..." United Press International. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  8. Cooper, Barry (November 4, 1988). "1. Atlanta Hawks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  9. "Sports People; Speculation on Chaney". The New York Times. June 11, 1988. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  10. "Chaney Hired to Take Over Bickering Rockets". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  11. Cotton, Anthony (June 14, 1988). "Chaney Officially In at Houston". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  12. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. "1988–89 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  14. Robinson, John (February 1, 1989). "Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad". Deseret News. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. 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.
  16. "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights". Sun Sentinel. February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  17. "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  19. "1988–89 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  20. "Malone Finishes 3rd in NBA MVP Voting". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 22, 1989. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  21. 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.
  22. "IN BRIEF: Utah's Eaton Gets Defensive Award". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 11, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. Kragthorpe, Kurt (May 12, 1989). "Jazz's Eaton Honored as Top Defender". Deseret News. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  25. Hafner, Dan (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. "McKey Buzzes Rockets". The Washington Post. May 6, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  27. Luna, Richard (May 6, 1989). "SuperSonics Eliminate Rockets". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  29. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Sign Short to One-Year Contract". The New York Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  30. "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

See also
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