1988–89 Houston Rockets season

1988–89 Houston Rockets season
Head coachDon Chaney
General managerRay Patterson
OwnerCharlie 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
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
(Bill Worrell, McCoy McLemore)
RadioKTRH
(Gene Peterson, Bill Foley)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

The 1988–89 Houston Rockets season was the 22nd season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 18th season in Houston, Texas.[1] The city of Houston hosted the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome this season. The Rockets had the 16th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected small forward Derrick Chievous from the University of Missouri.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired Otis Thorpe from the Sacramento Kings,[5][6][7] signed free agent Mike Woodson,[8][9][10] acquired Tim McCormick and Frank Johnson from the New Jersey Nets,[11][12] and hired Don Chaney as their new head coach.[13][14][15]

Under Chaney, and with the addition of Thorpe and Woodson, the Rockets won seven of their first ten games of the regular season, posted a six-game winning streak in December, and later on held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[16] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Walter Berry, who was previously released by the New Jersey Nets.[17][18] Despite a seven-game losing streak between February and March, the Rockets finished in second place in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record, and earned the fifth seed in the Western Conference.[19]

Akeem Olajuwon averaged 24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Thorpe averaged 16.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and Sleepy Floyd provided the team with 14.2 points, 8.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and led the Rockets with 109 three-point field goals. In addition, Woodson contributed 12.9 points per game, while Buck Johnson provided with 9.6 points per game. Off the bench, Chievous averaged 9.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while Berry provided with 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 40 games, Purvis Short contributed 7.4 points per game, McCormick averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, and Johnson contributed 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game.[20]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Olajuwon was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team;[21][22][23] he finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[24][25] and also finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz.[26][25]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the Rockets faced off against the 4th–seeded Seattle SuperSonics, a team that featured All-Star guard Dale Ellis, All-Star forward Xavier McDaniel, and second-year forward Derrick McKey. The Rockets lost the first two games to the SuperSonics on the road at the Seattle Center Coliseum, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 126–107 at The Summit. However, the Rockets lost Game 4 to the SuperSonics at home, 98–96, thus losing the series in four games.[27][28][29]

The Rockets finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 680,728 at The Summit during the regular season.[20][30] Following the season, Short signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets,[31][32][33] while Berry left to play overseas in Italy after only three seasons in the NBA,[34] and Johnson was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
1 16 Derrick Chievous SF  United States Missouri

Roster

1988–89 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 6 Walter Berry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–05–14 St. John's
F 3 Derrick Chievous 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1967–07–03 Missouri
G 21 Sleepy Floyd 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1960–03–06 Georgetown
F 1 Buck Johnson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–01–03 Alabama
G 15 Frank Johnson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1958–11–23 Wake Forest
G 30 Allen Leavell 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1957–05–27 Oklahoma City
C 40 Tim McCormick 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–03–10 Michigan
C 52 Chuck Nevitt 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1959–06–13 NC State
C 34 Akeem Olajuwon 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
F 10 Purvis Short 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1957–07–02 Jackson State
F 33 Otis Thorpe 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
G 42 Mike Woodson 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1958–03–24 Indiana
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: February 16, 1989

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz 51 31 .622 – 34–7 17–24 19–11
x-Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 6 31–10 14–27 19–11
x-Denver Nuggets 44 38 .537 7 35–6 9–32 18–12
Dallas Mavericks 38 44 .463 13 24–17 14–27 19–11
San Antonio Spurs 21 61 .256 30 18–23 3–38 9–21
Miami Heat 15 67 .183 36 12–29 3–38 6–24
#
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

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 @ Denver L 117–120 McNichols Sports Arena 0–1
2 November 5 Dallas L 113–114 (OT) The Summit 0–2
3 November 8 San Antonio W 120–102 The Summit 1–2
4 November 10 Utah W 106–99 The Summit 2–2
5 November 11 @ Miami W 121–100 Miami Arena 3–2
6 November 13 Sacramento W 129–127 The Summit 4–2
7 November 15 New York L 121–126 The Summit 4–3
8 November 17 Miami W 113–107 The Summit 5–3
9 November 19 Detroit W 109–98 The Summit 6–3
10 November 21 Atlanta W 117–113 The Summit 7–3
11 November 23 @ Utah L 99–102 Salt Palace 7–4
12 November 25 @ Portland L 94–111 Memorial Coliseum 7–5
13 November 26 @ Golden State W 119–109 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 8–5
14 November 29 Phoenix L 107–124 The Summit 8–6
15 November 30 @ 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 @ Phoenix L 95–110 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9–7
17 December 3 Charlotte W 108–104 The Summit 10–7
18 December 6 Cleveland W 106–105 The Summit 11–7
19 December 8 @ L.A. Clippers L 116–120 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11–8
20 December 10 Seattle W 110–91 The Summit 12–8
21 December 13 @ Denver L 101–126 McNichols Sports Arena 12–9
22 December 15 Golden State W 124–115 (2OT) The Summit 13–9
23 December 18 San Antonio W 120–109 The Summit 14–9
24 December 20 Sacramento W 105–104 The Summit 15–9
25 December 22 L.A. Clippers W 125–109 The Summit 16–9
26 December 26 @ Charlotte W 97–95 Charlotte Coliseum 17–9
27 December 27 @ Miami W 101–93 Miami Arena 18–9
28 December 29 @ Washington L 109–126 Capital Centre 18–10
29 December 30 @ 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 Utah W 104–102 The Summit 19–11
31 January 7 Philadelphia L 95–96 The Summit 19–12
32 January 11 @ San Antonio W 122–117 (OT) HemisFair Arena 20–12
33 January 12 Portland W 116–106 The Summit 21–12
34 January 14 Dallas W 110–98 Olajuwon (29) Thorpe (11) Floyd (9) The Summit
16,611 		22–12
35 January 16 @ L.A. Lakers L 113–124 Great Western Forum 22–13
36 January 17 @ Sacramento L 109–123 ARCO Arena 22–14
37 January 19 @ Seattle L 108–124 Seattle Center Coliseum 22–15
38 January 20 @ Golden State L 114–121 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 22–16
39 January 24 Miami W 118–93 The Summit 23–16
40 January 26 L.A. Clippers W 106–100 The Summit 24–16
42 January 28 @ San Antonio W 96–91 HemisFair Arena 25–17
42 January 31 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 Chicago W 105–98 The Summit 26–17
44 February 5 Denver W 124–112 The Summit 27–17
45 February 8 @ L.A. Clippers L 111–114 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 27–18
46 February 9 @ Portland W 113–110 Memorial Coliseum 28–18
All-Star Break
47 February 14 Boston W 137–123 The Summit 29–18
48 February 17 Denver W 121–111 The Summit 30–18
49 February 18 @ Dallas W 105–94 Reunion Arena 31–18
50 February 20 @ Cleveland L 90–110 Richfield Coliseum 31–19
51 February 21 @ New York L 115–120 Madison Square Garden 31–20
52 February 24 @ Chicago L 97–106 Chicago Stadium 31–21
53 February 25 @ Milwaukee L 105–121 Bradley Center 31–22
54 February 27 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 @ Denver L 103–113 McNichols Sports Arena 31–24
56 March 3 @ Seattle L 108–118 Seattle Center Coliseum 31–25
57 March 5 L.A. Lakers W 88–83 The Summit 32–25
58 March 8 @ Utah L 80–117 Salt Palace 32–26
59 March 10 Dallas W 96–86 The Summit 33–26
60 March 11 New Jersey W 124–94 The Summit 34–26
61 March 13 @ L.A. Lakers L 96–97 Great Western Forum 34–27
62 March 14 @ Sacramento L 90–95 ARCO Arena 34–28
63 March 16 Milwaukee W 120–104 The Summit 35–28
64 March 18 Portland W 127–113 The Summit 36–28
65 March 21 Denver L 110–112 The Summit 36–29
66 March 24 Utah L 99–102 The Summit 36–30
67 March 25 Golden State W 144–104 The Summit 37–30
68 March 28 Seattle W 120–117 The Summit 38–30
69 March 30 @ New Jersey W 109–101 Brendan Byrne Arena 39–30
70 March 31 @ 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 @ Philadelphia L 99–108 The Spectrum 39–32
72 April 4 @ Indiana W 90–88 Market Square Arena 40–32
73 April 7 @ Atlanta L 112–120 (OT) The Omni 40–33
74 April 8 @ Miami L 104–107 (OT) Miami Arena 40–34
75 April 11 Indiana W 108–99 The Summit 41–35
76 April 13 Phoenix L 111–119 The Summit 41–35
77 April 14 @ Utah L 96–122 Salt Palace 41–36
78 April 16 @ Dallas W 114–112 (OT) Reunion Arena 42–36
79 April 17 San Antonio W 99–91 The Summit 43–36
80 April 19 @ San Antonio W 99–84 HemisFair Arena 44–36
81 April 21 @ Phoenix W 112–101 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 45–36
82 April 22 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 28 @ Seattle L 107–111 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (9) Floyd (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250 		0–1
2 April 30 @ Seattle L 97–109 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon (12) Floyd (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,887 		0–2
3 May 3 Seattle W 126–107 Floyd (28) Olajuwon (18) Floyd (6) The Summit
16,611 		1–2
4 May 5 Seattle L 96–98 Olajuwon (24) 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

References

  1. ^ 1988-89 Houston Rockets
  2. ^ Weil, Mike (June 28, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Today Attained Some of the..." United Press International. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  3. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  5. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Signed, Then Traded". The New York Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Rockets Trade 2 for Sacramento's Otis Thorpe". Los Angeles Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Aldridge, David (October 12, 1988). "Bullets Lose Out on Thorpe". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "Former Clipper Woodson Signs with Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 20, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  9. ^ Luna, Richard (July 20, 1988). "Guard Mike Woodson, Who Led the Los Angeles Clippers..." United Press International. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  10. ^ Cooper, Barry (November 4, 1988). "1. Atlanta Hawks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Goldaper, Sam (November 3, 1988). "Nets Acquire Rockets' Carroll". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "Rockets Send Joe Barry Carroll to the Nets in a Six-Player Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1988. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Sports People; Speculation on Chaney". The New York Times. June 11, 1988. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Chaney Hired to Take Over Bickering Rockets". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  15. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 14, 1988). "Chaney Officially In at Houston". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. February 2, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Valenti, John (February 26, 1989). "Berry Starts Fourth "New Beginning"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "1988–89 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ a b "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  26. ^ "IN BRIEF: Utah's Eaton Gets Defensive Award". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 11, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  27. ^ Hafner, Dan (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "McKey Buzzes Rockets". The Washington Post. May 6, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  31. ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. September 21, 1989. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  32. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Sign Short to One-Year Contract". The New York Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  33. ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "Berry Taking New Approach in Italy". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 27, 1990. p. 2B. Retrieved May 13, 2024.

See also

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988%E2%80%9389_Houston_Rockets_season