1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season

1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season
Head coach
General managerJon Spoelstra
OwnerPaul Allen
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record39–43 (.476)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Lakers 0–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKOIN
RadioKEX
(Bill Schonely, Steve Jones)

The 1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 19th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Trail Blazers had the 21st overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected power forward Mark Bryant out of Seton Hall University.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team signed free agent Danny Young.[5]

After a 25–22 start to the regular season, head coach Mike Schuler was fired in mid-February, and was replaced with assistant coach Rick Adelman on an interim basis;[6][7][8] after the season, Adelman was made the team's head coach on a full-time basis.[9] At mid-season, the Trail Blazers traded Kiki Vandeweghe to the New York Knicks in exchange for a future first-round draft pick.[10][11][12] The team held a 25–21 record at the All-Star break,[13] and played below .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, which included two six-game losing streaks in February and March. The Trail Blazers finished in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 39–43 record, earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference, and qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.[14]

Clyde Drexler averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game, while last season's Most Improved Player Kevin Duckworth averaged 18.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and Terry Porter provided the team with 17.7 points, 9.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. In addition, Jerome Kersey contributed 17.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, while Steve Johnson provided with 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Sam Bowie averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, but only played just 20 games due to injury. Meanwhile, Adrian Branch contributed 7.4 points per game, while Young provided with 6.2 points and 2.6 assists per game, but only played just 48 games, Bryant averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, and Caldwell Jones averaged 2.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. [15]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Drexler and Duckworth were both selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was Duckworth's first ever All-Star appearance.[16][17][18] In addition, Drexler and Kersey both participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest; it was the fifth appearance for Drexler, and the fourth appearance for Kersey.[19][20]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the Trail Blazers faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who won the Pacific Division title; the team was led by the quartet of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Magic Johnson, All-Star forward James Worthy, Byron Scott, and All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Trail Blazers lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, before losing Game 3 at home, 116–108 at the Memorial Coliseum, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep; it was the fourth consecutive year that the Trail Blazers lost in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.[21][22][23] The Lakers would advance to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals.[24][25][26]

The Trail Blazers finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 527,008 at the Memorial Coliseum during the regular season.[15][27] Following the season, the oft-injured Bowie was traded to the New Jersey Nets,[28][29][30] while Jones signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, and Johnson was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves expansion team.[31][32][33]

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
1 21 Mark Bryant PF  United States Seton Hall
2 26 Rolando Ferreira C  Brazil Houston
3 53 Anthony Mason PF  United States Tennessee State
3 71 Craig Neal G  United States Georgia Tech

Roster

1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 35 Richard Anderson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1960–11–19 UC Santa Barbara
C 31 Sam Bowie 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–03–17 Kentucky
F 24 Adrian Branch 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1963–11–17 Maryland
F 2 Mark Bryant 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
G 22 Clyde Drexler 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
C 00 Kevin Duckworth 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1964–04–01 Eastern Illinois
C 32 Rolando Ferreira 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–05–24 Houston
C 33 Steve Johnson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1957–11–03 Oregon State
F 27 Caldwell Jones 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1950–08–04 Albany State
F 25 Jerome Kersey 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
G 30 Terry Porter 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
G 14 Jerry Sichting 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1956–11–29 Purdue
G 7 Brook Steppe 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1959–11–07 Georgia Tech
G 21 Danny Young 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1962–07–26 Wake Forest
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 57 25 .695 – 35–6 22–19 25–9
x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 2 35–6 20–21 23–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 31–10 16–25 20–14
x-Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 14 29–12 14–27 15–19
x-Portland Trail Blazers 39 43 .476 18 28–13 11–30 17–17
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 30 21–20 6–35 12–22
Los Angeles Clippers 21 61 .256 36 17–24 4–37 7–27
#
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: 39–43 (home: 28–13; road: 11–30)
November: 7–7 (home: 6–1; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 4 Phoenix W 120–105 Memorial Coliseum 1–0
2 November 5 Sacramento W 121–103 Memorial Coliseum 2–0
3 November 10 @ Denver L 115–135 McNichols Sports Arena 2–1
4 November 12 @ Golden State L 100–107 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 2–2
5 November 13 Denver L 132–143 Memorial Coliseum 2–3
6 November 15 L.A. Clippers W 125–103 Memorial Coliseum 3–3
7 November 17 @ Utah L 99–123 Salt Palace 3–4
8 November 18 @ L.A. Lakers L 105–106 The Forum 3–5
9 November 20 New Jersey W 117–106 Memorial Coliseum 4–5
10 November 22 @ Seattle W 125–104 Seattle Center Coliseum 5–5
11 November 25 Houston W 111–94 Memorial Coliseum 6–5
12 November 27 Golden State W 109–94 Memorial Coliseum 7–5
13 November 29 @ Milwaukee L 114–119 Bradley Center 7–6
14 November 30 @ Philadelphia L 106–114 The Spectrum 7–7
December: 9–4 (home: 5–0; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 December 2 @ Miami W 105–102 Miami Arena 8–7
16 December 3 @ Atlanta L 97–115 The Omni 8–8
17 December 6 @ New Jersey W 97–93 Brendan Byrne Arena 9–8
18 December 7 @ Indiana L 120–129 Market Square Arena 9–9
19 December 9 Washington W 93–90 Memorial Coliseum 10–9
20 December 11 San Antonio W 128–123 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 11–9
21 December 13 L.A. Clippers W 113–92 Memorial Coliseum 12–9
22 December 16 @ Phoenix L 125–132 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–10
23 December 17 Phoenix W 115–97 Memorial Coliseum 13–10
24 December 20 @ Denver W 127–124 McNichols Sports Arena 14–10
25 December 22 @ Golden State W 117–109 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15–10
26 December 23 Golden State W 111–107 Memorial Coliseum 16–10
27 December 27 @ Sacramento L 111–112 ARCO Arena 16–11
January: 6–8 (home: 5–4; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
28 January 3 Miami W 119–95 Memorial Coliseum 17–11
29 January 4 @ L.A. Lakers L 120–133 Great Western Forum 17–12
30 January 6 Sacramento W 147–142 (2OT) Memorial Coliseum 18–12
31 January 7 @ Seattle L 123–129 Seattle Center Coliseum 18–13
32 January 10 Seattle W 125–109 Memorial Coliseum 19–13
33 January 12 @ Houston L 106–116 The Summit 19–14
34 January 14 @ San Antonio W 103–99 HemisFair Arena 20–14
35 January 15 @ Dallas L 108–111 Reunion Arena 20–15
36 January 17 Utah L 110–111 Memorial Coliseum 20–16
37 January 22 New York L 116–120 Memorial Coliseum 20–17
38 January 24 Seattle L 100–103 Memorial Coliseum 20–18
39 January 26 Milwaukee L 109–127 Memorial Coliseum 20–19
40 January 28 Atlanta W 110–94 Memorial Coliseum 21–19
41 January 30 Charlotte W 130–118 Memorial Coliseum 22–19
February: 5–7 (home: 3–3; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
42 February 1 @ L.A. Clippers W 108–107 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 23–19
43 February 3 @ L.A. Lakers L 129–140 Great Western Forum 23–20
44 February 4 San Antonio W 137–100 Memorial Coliseum 24–20
45 February 7 Dallas W 134–125 Memorial Coliseum 25–20
46 February 9 Houston L 110–113 Memorial Coliseum 25–21
47 February 16 L.A. Lakers L 101–110 Memorial Coliseum 25–22
48 February 18 Seattle L 115–116 Memorial Coliseum 25–23
49 February 20 @ Chicago L 98–102 Chicago Stadium 25–24
50 February 22 @ Detroit L 94–105 The Palace of Auburn Hills 25–25
51 February 24 @ Cleveland L 91–128 Richfield Coliseum 25–26
52 February 26 @ Miami W 124–102 Miami Arena 26–26
53 February 28 Phoenix W 139–134 Memorial Coliseum 27–26
March: 5–12 (home: 3–3; road: 2–9)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
54 March 2 @ L.A. Clippers W 119–113 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 28–26
55 March 3 Philadelphia W 129–121 Memorial Coliseum 29–26
56 March 5 Indiana L 118–121 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 29–27
57 March 7 @ San Antonio W 116–103 HemisFair Arena 30–27
58 March 8 @ Dallas L 92–99 Reunion Arena 31–27
59 March 12 Cleveland L 110–122 Memorial Coliseum 31–28
60 March 14 Golden State W 139–110 Memorial Coliseum 31–29
61 March 15 @ Utah L 95–102 Salt Palace 31–30
62 March 17 @ Phoenix L 124–129 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 31–31
63 March 18 @ Houston L 113–127 The Summit 31–32
64 March 20 Dallas W 112–91 Memorial Coliseum 32–32
65 March 21 @ Golden State L 127–151 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 32–33
66 March 24 Chicago L 113–128 Memorial Coliseum 32–34
67 March 25 @ Sacramento L 105–106 ARCO Arena 32–35
68 March 28 @ New York L 124–128 Madison Square Garden 32–36
69 March 29 @ Boston L 97–106 Boston Garden 32–37
70 March 31 @ Washington L 105–107 Capital Centre 32–38
April: 7–5 (home: 6–2; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
71 April 1 @ Charlotte W 125–121 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 33–38
72 April 4 Detroit W 118–100 Memorial Coliseum 34–38
73 April 6 @ L.A. Clippers L 123–133 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 34–39
74 April 7 Boston W 113–100 Memorial Coliseum 35–39
75 April 9 Denver W 120–114 Memorial Coliseum 36–39
76 April 11 L.A. Clippers W 126–102 Memorial Coliseum 37–39
77 April 14 Miami W 97–86 Memorial Coliseum 38–39
78 April 15 Utah L 95–99 Memorial Coliseum 38–40
79 April 18 @ Sacramento L 118–120 ARCO Arena 38–41
80 April 20 @ Seattle L 118–124 Seattle Center Coliseum 38–42
81 April 21 L.A. Lakers L 114–121 Memorial Coliseum 38–43
82 April 23 Sacramento W 126–120 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 39–43
1988–89 schedule

Playoffs

1989 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 108–128 Clyde Drexler (30) Kersey, Porter (9) Terry Porter (10) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 April 30 @ L.A. Lakers L 105–113 Clyde Drexler (28) Jerome Kersey (11) Clyde Drexler (10) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–2
3 May 3 L.A. Lakers L 108–116 Terry Porter (29) Clyde Drexler (8) Terry Porter (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,880 		0–3
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

Playoffs

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ 1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  3. ^ Love, Ian (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best..." United Press International. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  4. ^ "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  5. ^ "Blazers Sign Young to Three-Year Deal". United Press International. August 1, 1989. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Trail Blazers Dismiss Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1989. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "Trail Blazers Dump Schuler, Elevate Adelman". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1989. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Trail Blazers Fire Schuler, Replace Him with Adelman". Deseret News. February 19, 1989. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ "In Brief: Adelman Retained as Blazers Coach". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 11, 1989. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  10. ^ "IN BRIEF: Vandeweghe Prepped for a Trade". Los Angeles Times. Times Staff and Wire Service Reports. February 14, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  11. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (February 24, 1989). "BASKETBALL; Knicks, In a Surprise, Get Vandeweghe; Celtics Trade Ainge". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Love, Ian (February 26, 1989). "Kiki Vandeweghe, the Player the New York Knicks Coveted..." United Press International. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  16. ^ 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.
  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 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "All-Star Lineups". Ocala Star-Banner. February 11, 1989. p. 5D. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  20. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  21. ^ McManis, Sam (May 4, 1989). "Lakers Shake Their Lethargy, Finish Sweep: Win Over Portland Extends First-Round Streak to 18-0". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  22. ^ "Abdul-Jabbar Leads Lakers to Sweep". The Washington Post. May 4, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  24. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. ^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  28. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 25, 1989). "PRO-BASKETBALL; Nets Get Bowie for Buck Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "Trail Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick in Draft to Nets for Buck Williams". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  30. ^ "Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick for Williams". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  31. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 16, 1989). "Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  32. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 16, 1989). "NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  33. ^ "1989 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
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