1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season

1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachDick Harter
General managerCarl Scheer
OwnerGeorge Shinn
ArenaCharlotte Coliseum
Results
Record20–62 (.244)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Atlantic)
Conference: 12th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWCCB
(Gary Sparber, Mike Pratt)
RadioWBT
(Steve Martin, Gil McGregor)

The 1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season was the first season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. The "Charlotte Hornets", along with the Miami Heat, joined the NBA as expansion teams during the 1988–89 season; the team was originally going to be named the "Spirit", but later on changed it to the "Hornets".[1][2][3] The team revealed a new primary logo of a hornet bouncing a basketball,[4] and got new pinstripe uniforms, adding teal and purple to their color scheme.[5][6] The Hornets played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In the 1988 NBA expansion draft, the Hornets selected veteran players like Dell Curry, second-year guard Muggsy Bogues, Mike Holton, Dave Hoppen, Rickey Green, and Mike Brown, who was then traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kelly Tripucka.[7][8][9] The team also signed free agents; Kurt Rambis, who won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers,[10][11][12] Earl Cureton,[13] and acquired Robert Reid from the Houston Rockets.[14][15] The Hornets received the eighth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Rex Chapman from the University of Kentucky.[16][17][18] Dick Harter was hired to be the team's first ever head coach.[19][20]

The Hornets made their NBA regular season debut on November 4, 1988, in which the team lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home, 133–93 at the Charlotte Coliseum; Tripucka and Rambis both led the team with 16 points each.[21][22][23] After losing their first two games of the season, the Hornets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers at the Charlotte Coliseum, 117–105 on November 8; it was the team's first ever win in franchise history. Tripucka scored 24 points along with 3 steals, while Chapman scored 18 points off the bench, and Rambis had a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.[24][25][26]

The Hornets struggled losing ten of their first twelve games of the regular season, and held an 8–19 record at the end of December. The team lost 10 of their 13 games in January, and later on held a 13–35 record at the All-Star break.[27] The Hornets posted two nine-game losing streaks between February and March, and between March and April; the team lost 13 of their 16 games in March, and lost 20 of their 22 games between February 28 and April 10, 1989. In March, the team signed free agents Sidney Lowe and Greg Kite. The Hornets finished their inaugural season in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20 wins and 62 losses.[28]

Tripucka led the Hornets in scoring averaging 22.6 points per game, and finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting,[29][30] while Chapman averaged 16.9 points per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Reid provided the team with 14.7 points per game. In addition, Rambis provided with 11.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while Curry contributed 11.9 points per game off the bench, but only played just 48 games due to a wrist injury,[31][32] Holton provided with 8.3 points and 6.3 assists per game, Cureton averaged 6.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, Hoppen provided with 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Bogues contributed 5.4 points, 7.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game.[33]

The Hornets led the NBA in home-game attendance, becoming the first expansion team to do so, with an attendance of 949,858 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the regular season; it was also an all-time NBA attendance record, which would be broken by one of the two next season's expansion teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves the following season.[33][34] One notable highlight of the inaugural season occurred on December 23, 1988, in which the Hornets defeated All-Star guard, and former University of North Carolina star Michael Jordan, and the Chicago Bulls at the Charlotte Coliseum by a score of 103–101, in front of a sellout crowd of 23,388 in attendance. With the score tied at 101–101, Rambis made a game-winning layup from Reid's missed shot at the buzzer; Tripucka scored 30 points while Jordan scored 33 points along with 6 steals.[35][36][37]

The team's new primary logo would remain in use until 2002, while the new uniforms would last until 1997, where they added side panels and additional pinstripes to their jerseys.

Offseason

Expansion draft

The team's roster was filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1988. In a coin flip, the Hornets earned the right to choose either the higher choice in the college draft or the first pick in the expansion draft, picking the former.[38] Most teams use such drafts to pick young players and guarantee a future, but Charlotte chose veterans in order to get a competitive lineup right away.[39]

Pick Player Position Nationality Former Team
2 Dell Curry Guard-Forward  United States Cleveland Cavaliers
4 Dave Hoppen Center-Forward  United States Golden State Warriors
6 Tyrone Bogues Point Guard  United States Washington Bullets
8 Mike Browna Forward-center  United States Chicago Bulls
10 Rickey Green Point Guard  United States Utah Jazz
12 Michael Holton Point Guard  United States Portland Trail Blazers
14 Michael Brooksb Small Forward  United States Denver Nuggets
16 Bernard Thompsonc Guard-Forward  United States Phoenix Suns
18 Ralph Lewis Guard-Forward  United States Detroit Pistons
20 Clinton Wheelerd Point Guard  United States Indiana Pacers
22 Sedric Toneyb Point Guard  United States New York Knicks
  • ^ Traded for Kelly Tripucka from the Utah Jazz[40]
  • ^ Waived before the season.[40]
  • ^ Traded for Robert Reid from the Houston Rockets.[41]
  • ^ Sent to Portland Trail Blazers.[40]

Also sent were Kurt Rambis of the Los Angeles Lakers and Earl Cureton of the Philadelphia 76ers.[42]

NBA draft

Subsequent to the expansion draft, Charlotte was given the eight pick in the 1988 NBA draft. They selected Rex Chapman, a shooting guard out of University of Kentucky.[39]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
1 8 Rex Chapman Shooting Guard  United States Kentucky
2 34 Tom Tolbert Forward/center  United States Arizona
3 53 Jeff Moore Power Forward  United States Tennessee State

Roster

1988–89 Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Muggsy Bogues 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) 136 lb (62 kg) 1965–01–09 Wake Forest
G 3 Rex Chapman 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1967–10–05 Kentucky
C 25 Earl Cureton 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1957–09–03 Detroit Mercy
G 30 Dell Curry 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech
G 6 Michael Holton 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1961–08–04 UCLA
C 42 Dave Hoppen 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1964–03–13 Nebraska
F 41 Tim Kempton 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1964–01–25 Notre Dame
C 32 Greg Kite 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1961–08–05 BYU
F 31 Kurt Rambis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1958–02–25 Santa Clara
F 50 Robert Reid 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1955–08–30 St. Mary's (Texas)
F 32 Brian Rowsom 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–10–23 UNC Wilmington
F 7 Kelly Tripucka 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1959–02–16 Notre Dame
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: March 29, 1989

Preseason

The Hornets' first official NBA game took place on October 14, 1988, at the Madison Square Garden, and was a 118–97 preseason loss to the New Jersey Nets.[42]

Regular season

The Hornets played their first season in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.[43] The team's first regular season NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at the Charlotte Coliseum, and was a 133–93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[44] Despite the huge loss, the Hornets received a standing ovation at the end of the game. November 8, 1988, the team won their first game over the Los Angeles Clippers, 117–105.[45] On December 23, 1988, the Hornets defeated Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 103–101 at the buzzer in Jordan's first return to North Carolina as a professional.[46] During the season, Kelly Tripucka led the franchise with 22.6 points per game. Despite the Hornets mostly poor play (typical for an expansion franchise), the Hornets led the NBA in attendance during the season, selling out 36 of 41 home games (including the final 30).

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New York Knicks 52 30 .634 – 35–6 17–24 18–12
x-Philadelphia 76ers 46 36 .561 6 30–11 16–25 19–11
x-Boston Celtics 42 40 .512 10 32–9 10–31 19–11
Washington Bullets 40 42 .488 12 30–11 10–31 17–13
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 26 17–24 9–32 9–21
Charlotte Hornets 20 62 .244 32 12–29 8–33 8–22
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Detroit Pistons 63 19 .768 –
2 y-New York Knicks 52 30 .634 11
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 6
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 52 30 .634 11
5 x-Milwaukee Bucks 49 33 .598 14
6 x-Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 16
7 x-Philadelphia 76ers 46 36 .561 17
8 x-Boston Celtics 42 40 .512 21
9 Washington Bullets 40 42 .488 23
10 Indiana Pacers 28 54 .341 35
11 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 37
12 Charlotte Hornets 20 62 .244 43
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1988–89 Game Log (20–62) (Home: 12–29; Road: 8–33)
November (3–10) (Home: 2–4; Road: 1–6)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
1 November 4, 1988 Cleveland L 93–133 Charlotte Coliseum 23,338 0–1
2 November 5, 1988 @ Detroit L 85–94 The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 0–2
3 November 8, 1988 L.A. Clippers W 117–105 Charlotte Coliseum 18,865 1–2
4 November 11, 1988 @ Washington L 87–96 Capital Centre 12,731 1–3
5 November 12, 1988 @ Atlanta L 111–132 The Omni 16,155 1–4
6 November 15, 1988 New Jersey L 99–106 Charlotte Coliseum 21,748 1–5
7 November 17, 1988 @ Dallas L 93–105 Reunion Arena 16,512 1–6
8 November 19, 1988 @ San Antonio W 107–105 HemisFair Arena 10,863 2–6
9 November 22, 1988 Detroit L 93–99 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 2–7
10 November 23, 1988 @ Boston L 109–114 Boston Garden 14,890 2–8
11 November 25, 1988 @ Philadelphia L 116–123 Spectrum 10,588 2–9
12 November 26, 1988 Washington L 113–120 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 2–10
13 November 29, 1988 Miami W 99–84 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 3–10
December (5–9) (Home: 5–3; Road: 0–6)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
14 December 1, 1988 Philadelphia W 109–107 Charlotte Coliseum 21,716 4–10
15 December 3, 1988 @ Houston L 104–108 The Summit 16,611 4–11
16 December 9, 1988 New Jersey W 96–95 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 5–11
17 December 10, 1988 @ New Jersey L 112–121 (OT) Brendan Byrne Arena 5–12
18 December 13, 1988 @ Indiana L 104–115 Market Square Arena 5–13
19 December 14, 1988 Indiana W 115–106 Charlotte Coliseum 22,601 6–13
20 December 16, 1988 Dallas L 98–107 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 6–14
21 December 17, 1988 @ Detroit L 91–100 The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 6–15
22 December 20, 1988 @ Milwaukee L 115–125 Bradley Center 15,075 6–16
23 December 21, 1988 Milwaukee L 100–112 Charlotte Coliseum 23,010 6–17
24 December 23, 1988 Chicago W 103–101 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 7–17
25 December 26, 1988 Houston L 95–97 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 7–18
26 December 28, 1988 @ Cleveland L 98–122 Richfield Coliseum 17,353 7–19
27 December 30, 1988 New York W 122–111 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 8–19
January (3–13) (Home: 1–5; Road: 2–8)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
28 January 3, 1989 New Jersey L 106–109 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 8–20
29 January 4, 1989 @ Washington L 86–109 Capital Centre 8–21
30 January 6, 1989 @ Boston L 92–115 Boston Garden 14,890 8–22
31 January 7, 1989 Washington W 107–104 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 9–22
32 January 9, 1989 Utah L 92–114 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 9–23
33 January 11, 1989 Chicago L 101–106 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 9–24
34 January 12, 1989 @ New York L 89–106 Madison Square Garden 16,943 9–25
35 January 15, 1989 Philadelphia L 109–116 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 9–26
36 January 16, 1989 @ Philadelphia W 127–122 (OT) Spectrum 10,116 10–26
37 January 18, 1989 @ Milwaukee L 106–118 Bradley Center 16,145 10–27
38 January 19, 1989 Phoenix L 112–126 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 10–28
39 January 21, 1989 @ Atlanta L 113–137 The Omni 16,371 10–29
40 January 24, 1989 @ Phoenix L 103–106 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,089 10–30
41 January 26, 1989 @ Utah W 89–88 Salt Palace 12,444 11–30
42 January 27, 1989 @ L.A. Lakers L 97–114 Great Western Forum 17,505 11–31
43 January 30, 1989 @ Portland L 118–130 Memorial Coliseum 12,848 11–32
February (4–8) (Home: 4–5; Road: 0–3)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
44 February 1, 1989 Boston L 94–107 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 11–33
45 February 3, 1989 Seattle W 108–106 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 12–33
46 February 5, 1989 Cleveland L 91–110 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 12–34
47 February 7, 1989 @ Chicago L 93–118 Chicago Stadium 17,385 12–35
48 February 9, 1989 Atlanta W 110–108 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 13–35
49 February 14, 1989 New York L 117–129 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 13–36
50 February 17, 1989 @ Miami L 102–103 Miami Arena 15,008 13–37
51 February 18, 1989 Indiana W 119–114 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 14–37
52 February 22, 1989 Chicago L 102–130 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 14–38
53 February 23, 1989 @ New York L 114–139 Madison Square Garden 16,130 14–39
54 February 25, 1989 San Antonio W 124–113 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 15–39
55 February 28, 1989 Boston L 87–112 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 15–40
March (2–13) (Home: 0–7; Road: 2–6)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
56 March 2, 1989 @ New Jersey L 103–114 Brendan Byrne Arena 15–41
57 March 3, 1989 @ Atlanta L 109–133 The Omni 16,371 15–42
58 March 5, 1989 @ Washington L 101–114 Capital Centre 6,661 15–43
59 March 8, 1989 Denver L 99–112 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 15–44
60 March 10, 1989 L.A. Lakers L 90–123 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 15–45
61 March 12, 1989 Sacramento L 105–114 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 15–46
62 March 14, 1989 @ Denver L 102–125 McNichols Sports Arena 10,522 15–47
63 March 16, 1989 @ Seattle L 88–108 Seattle Center Coliseum 15–48
64 March 17, 1989 @ L.A. Clippers W 108–105 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 10,758 16–48
65 March 19, 1989 @ Golden State L 117–124 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 16–49
66 March 20, 1989 @ Sacramento W 117–110 ARCO Arena 16,517 17–49
67 March 23, 1989 Washington L 97–102 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–50
68 March 25, 1989 Detroit L 101–113 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–51
69 March 27, 1989 New York L 105–121 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–52
70 March 30, 1989 Golden State L 104–113 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–53
April (3–9) (Home: 0–5; Road: 3–4)
Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
71 April 1, 1989 Portland L 121–125 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–54
72 April 4, 1989 @ Chicago L 101–121 Chicago Stadium 17,578 17–55
73 April 7, 1989 Philadelphia L 108–118 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–56
74 April 9, 1989 @ Cleveland L 116–122 Richfield Coliseum 19,276 17–57
75 April 10, 1989 Atlanta L 105–112 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 17–58
76 April 12, 1989 @ New York W 104–99 Madison Square Garden 18,385 18–58
77 April 14, 1989 @ Philadelphia W 119–115 Spectrum 14,321 19–58
78 April 15, 1989 @ Indiana L 105–115 Market Square Arena 11,860 19–59
79 April 17, 1989 Boston L 108–113 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 19–60
80 April 18, 1989 @ New Jersey W 121–105 Brendan Byrne Arena 20–60
81 April 21, 1989 Milwaukee L 110–117 Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 20–61
82 April 23, 1989 @ Boston L 110–120 Boston Garden 14,890 20–62
1988-89 Schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Robert Reid SF 82 54 2,152 302 153 53 20 1,207 26.2 3.7 1.9 .6 .2 14.7
Earl Cureton C 82 41 2,047 488 130 50 61 532 25.0 6.0 1.6 .6 .7 6.5
Muggsy Bogues PG 79 21 1,755 165 620 111 7 423 22.2 2.1 7.8 1.4 .1 5.4
Tim Kempton PF 79 0 1,341 304 102 41 14 484 17.0 3.8 1.3 .5 .2 6.1
Dave Hoppen C 77 36 1,419 384 57 25 21 500 18.4 5.0 .7 .3 .3 6.5
Kurt Rambis PF 75 75 2,233 703 159 100 57 832 29.8 9.4 2.1 1.3 .8 11.1
Rex Chapman SG 75 44 2,219 187 176 70 25 1,267 29.6 2.5 2.3 .9 .3 16.9
Kelly Tripucka SF 71 65 2,302 267 224 88 16 1,606 32.4 3.8 3.2 1.2 .2 22.6
Michael Holton PG 67 60 1,696 105 424 66 12 553 25.3 1.6 6.3 1.0 .2 8.3
Dell Curry SG 48 0 813 104 50 42 4 571 16.9 2.2 1.0 .9 .1 11.9
Ralph Lewis SF 42 0 336 61 15 11 3 136 8.0 1.5 .4 .3 .1 3.2
Brian Rowsom PF 34 0 517 137 24 10 12 226 15.2 4.0 .7 .3 .4 6.6
Rickey Green† PG 33 2 370 23 82 18 0 128 11.2 .7 2.5 .5 .0 3.9
Sidney Lowe SG 14 0 250 34 93 14 0 23 17.9 2.4 6.6 1.0 .0 1.6
Tom Tolbert SF 14 0 117 21 7 2 4 40 8.4 1.5 .5 .1 .3 2.9
Greg Kite† C 12 12 213 53 7 4 8 38 17.8 4.4 .6 .3 .7 3.2
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only.

Awards and records

Transactions

  • July 1, 1988

Released Clinton Wheeler.

  • July 18, 1988

Signed Earl Cureton as a free agent.

Traded Bernard Thompson to the Houston Rockets for Robert Reid and a 1990 2nd round draft pick (Steve Scheffler was later selected).

  • July 28, 1988

Signed Kurt Rambis as an unrestricted free agent.

  • August 17, 1988

Signed Tim Kempton as a free agent.

  • October 6, 1988

Signed Brian Rowsom as a free agent.

  • October 17, 1988

Released Sedric Toney.

  • December 30, 1988

Waived Tom Tolbert.

  • February 22, 1989

Waived Rickey Green.

  • March 27, 1989

Signed Sidney Lowe to the first of two 10-day contracts.

  • March 29, 1989

Signed Greg Kite to a contract for the rest of the season.

Waived Ralph Lewis.

Player Transactions Citation:[47]

References

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  2. ^ "NBA Gives Florida Two Franchises -- Miami, Orlando: League Also Grants Expansion Teams to Minneapolis and Charlotte for $32.5 Million". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 23, 1987. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  3. ^ Cotton, Anthony (April 23, 1987). "NBA Accepts Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, Twin Cities". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  4. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 24, 1988). "Miami Chooses "Who?" First". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Edes, Gordon (June 24, 1988). "Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ "1988 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Edes, Gordon (July 26, 1988). "Rambis May Go to Charlotte: Laker Forward Expected to Complete Multi-Year Deal Today". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Edes, Gordon (July 28, 1988). "Rambis to Sign Four-Year Contract With Charlotte". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 9, 1988). "Rambis Happy with Hornets". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "Tennis Connors, Berger Triumph in Straight Sets at D.C." Sun Sentinel. Briefing. July 21, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. July 18, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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  16. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Love, Ian (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best..." United Press International. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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  19. ^ "Sports People; Hornets Hire Coach". The New York Times. June 3, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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  21. ^ "Ron Harper Contributed 22 Points and 5 Steals Friday..." United Press International. November 4, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "NBA's Hornets Debut with a 40-Point Loss". The Washington Post. November 5, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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  24. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 9, 1988). "Clippers' 117-105 Loss Has an Extra Meaning: It's Hornets' First Win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  25. ^ "Hornets Claim 1st NBA Win". The Item. Associated Press. November 9, 1988. p. 3C. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  26. ^ "Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, November 8, 1988". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  27. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  28. ^ "1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  29. ^ "Johnson Named Most Improved Player". Lewiston Tribune. Associated Press. May 16, 1989. p. 3B. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  30. ^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  31. ^ "For the Record". The Washington Post. October 9, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  32. ^ "Charlotte's Dell Curry Is Ignoring Trade Talk and, After an Injury-Plagued 1988-89, Is Off to His Best Start Ever; Reserve Curry Plays Key Role in Hornet Offense". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. December 8, 1989. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  34. ^ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  35. ^ "Hornets Sting Bulls". Chicago Tribune. December 24, 1988. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  36. ^ Marks, Brendan (December 23, 2018). "How Michael Jordan, Kurt Rambis, and a Single Hornets Game "Changed Charlotte Forever"". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  37. ^ "Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, December 23, 1988". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  38. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1988). "Charlotte Is Betting On College Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  39. ^ a b 1988-89: Charlotte Stocks Roster With Veterans Archived 2010-05-23 at the Wayback Machine nba.com/hornets, accessed 25 April 2008.
  40. ^ a b c Expansion Drafts Revisited, HoopsAnalyst
  41. ^ "Sports People; Rockets Trade Reid". The New York Times. July 19, 1988. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  42. ^ a b "Charlotte Buzzing Over the Hornets" The New York Times.
  43. ^ 1988–89 Standings Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, nba.com/history, accessed 16 June 2007.
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  45. ^ Los Angeles Clippers 105, Charlotte Hornets 117
  46. ^ Jennifer Armstrong, The Times-Picayune. "1988 Charlotte Hornets started off with a bang, became wildly popular with their fans | NOLA.com". Blog.nola.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  47. ^ "1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
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