1987–88 Atlanta Hawks season

The 1987–88 NBA season was the Hawks' 39th season in the NBA and 20th season in Atlanta, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The Hawks got off to a 6–5 start to the season, then won 16 of their next 18 games, and held a 30–15 record at the All-Star break. The team posted a 7-game winning streak between March and April, but then lost six of their final nine games, finishing third in the Central Division with a 50–32 record.

Dominique Wilkins averaged 30.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Doc Rivers averaged 14.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Wilkins and Rivers were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach Mike Fratello coaching the Eastern Conference. In addition, Kevin Willis provided the team with 11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Randy Wittman contributed 10.0 points and 3.7 assists per game, Cliff Levingston provided with 10.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and Tree Rollins averaged 6.0 rebounds and led the team with 1.7 blocks per game. Off the bench, John Battle contributed 10.6 points per game, and Antoine Carr averaged 8.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hawks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they took a 3–2 series lead over Larry Bird and the top-seeded Boston Celtics. However, the Hawks would lose Game 6 at The Omni, 102–100,  then lose Game 7 at the Boston Garden, 118–116, thus losing the series in seven games. This was the closest Wilkins had ever gotten to advancing to the conference finals.

Following the season, Wittman was traded to the Sacramento Kings,  and Rollins signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * November 6, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Washington
 * W 114–97
 * Wilkins (34)
 * Wilkins (14)
 * Webb (10)
 * The Omni 16,064
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * November 7, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * W 113–105
 * Rivers (23)
 * Willis (11)
 * Rivers (9)
 * The Omni 11,455
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 10, 1987 8:00p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 95–105
 * Wilkins (35)
 * Koncak (10)
 * Webb (10)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 15, 1987 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–112
 * Willis (21)
 * Willis (10)
 * Rivers, Wilkins (5)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 4–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 20, 1987 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 92–94
 * Wilkins (36)
 * Koncak (15)
 * Rivers (9)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,423
 * 5–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 25, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 102–117
 * Wilkins (22)
 * Willis (14)
 * Rivers (9)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 6–4


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * December 1, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * W 120–106
 * Wilkins (22)
 * Carr, Rollins (10)
 * Webb (9)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 8–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * December 3, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Washington
 * W 102–94
 * Willis (23)
 * Rollins (16)
 * Levingston (6)
 * Capital Centre 6,464
 * 9–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 18, 1987 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 94–87
 * Wilkins (23)
 * Koncak (11)
 * Webb (8)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 15–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 19, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Utah
 * W 130–124 (OT)
 * Wilkins (46)
 * Rollins (12)
 * Battle (6)
 * The Omni 12,215
 * 16–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 29, 1987 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * W 108–98
 * Rivers (29)
 * Rivers (14)
 * Rivers (12)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 19–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 30, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 117–110
 * Wilkins (33)
 * Koncak (8)
 * Rivers (14)
 * Richfield Coliseum 19,029
 * 20–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * January 5, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * W 81–71
 * Levingston (15)
 * Levingston (14)
 * Rivers (7)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 22–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * January 6, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 87–90
 * Rivers (22)
 * Rollins (7)
 * Rivers (6)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 25,749
 * 22–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * January 8, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * W 101–97
 * Wilkins (34)
 * Levingston (11)
 * Wilkins (8)
 * The Omni 11,408
 * 23–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 9, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Denver
 * W 113–105
 * Wilkins (33)
 * Koncak (12)
 * Rivers (11)
 * The Omni 14,986
 * 24–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 14, 1988 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Denver
 * L 112–115
 * Wilkins (34)
 * Levingston (10)
 * Rivers (8)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 14,944
 * 25–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 16, 1988 1:30p.m. EST
 * @ Dallas
 * W 101–98
 * Wilkins (34)
 * Wilkins (14)
 * Rivers (13)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 26–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 19, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 106–94
 * Wilkins (41)
 * Levingston (13)
 * Wittman (12)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 27–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 21, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 101–93
 * Wilkins (28)
 * Rollins (8)
 * Rivers (12)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,129
 * 28–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * January 22, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 106–124
 * Wilkins (23)
 * Koncak, Rivers (9)
 * Battle (6)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 28–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 26, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * L 97–102
 * Wilkins (38)
 * Willis (15)
 * Rivers (12)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 29–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 42
 * January 29, 1988 10:30p.m. EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 107–117
 * Rivers (27)
 * Willis (12)
 * Rivers (9)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 29–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * January 30, 1988 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Utah
 * L 109–115
 * Wilkins (35)
 * Rollins (9)
 * Rivers (6)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 29–14


 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 12, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 92–108
 * Wilkins (31)
 * Rollins (11)
 * Rivers (8)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 35,884
 * 31–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 13, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Washington
 * W 105–103
 * Wilkins (45)
 * Rollins (13)
 * Rivers (15)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 32–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 15, 1988 1:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 107–126
 * Wilkins (25)
 * Levingston (7)
 * Rivers (10)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,704
 * 32–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 19, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 119–126 (OT)
 * Wilkins (38)
 * Levingston (16)
 * Rivers (15)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 32–19


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * March 1, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * L 104–117
 * Wilkins (50)
 * Rivers (8)
 * Rivers (8)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 35–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * March 5, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 101–104
 * Wilkins (24)
 * Willis (15)
 * Rivers (7)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 35–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * March 13, 1988 12Noon EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–117
 * Wilkins (26)
 * Willis (12)
 * Webb (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 37–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * March 21, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * W 115–105
 * Wilkins (35)
 * Rollins (9)
 * Rivers (11)
 * The Omni 13,702
 * 40–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 22, 1988 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 98–111
 * Wilkins (25)
 * Willis (8)
 * Wittman (6)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 40–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 24, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Washington
 * L 91–94
 * Wilkins (28)
 * Levingston (7)
 * Rivers (6)
 * Capital Centre 13,629
 * 40–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * March 26, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * W 109–102
 * Wilkins (37)
 * Willis (10)
 * Rivers (9)
 * The Omni 16,418
 * 41–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 29, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Dallas
 * W 120–106
 * Wilkins (40)
 * Willis (8)
 * Rivers (17)
 * The Omni 14,583
 * 42–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * W 103–102
 * Wittman (20)
 * Rivers, Rollins (10)
 * Rivers, Wittman (6)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 47,692
 * 43–26


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * April 5, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Milwaukee
 * W 121–110
 * Wilkins (39)
 * Wilkins (11)
 * Rivers (16)
 * The Omni 15,442
 * 46–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * April 9, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Detroit
 * L 102–115
 * Wilkins (36)
 * Wilkins (9)
 * Rivers (12)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 47–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 11, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Washington
 * L 85–86
 * Wilkins (17)
 * Willis (18)
 * Battle, Webb (5)
 * The Omni 10,473
 * 47–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 12, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 103–116
 * Wilkins (28)
 * Levingston, Willis (5)
 * Rivers (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 12,418
 * 47–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 22, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * W 133–106
 * Wilkins (35)
 * Willis (8)
 * Rivers (10)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 50–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 23, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Washington
 * L 96–106
 * Wilkins (19)
 * Willis (9)
 * Rivers (6)
 * Capital Centre 15,638
 * 50–32

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 29, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Milwaukee
 * W 110–107
 * Wilkins (26)
 * Willis (9)
 * Rivers (6)
 * The Omni 11,517
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * May 1, 1988 7:00p.m. EDT
 * Milwaukee
 * W 104–97
 * Wilkins (43)
 * Willis (10)
 * Rivers (8)
 * The Omni 11,777
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 4, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 115–123
 * Wilkins (22)
 * Wilkins (14)
 * Wittman (8)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 6, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 99–105
 * Wilkins (31)
 * Willis (8)
 * Rivers (9)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * May 8, 1988 7:00p.m. EDT
 * Milwaukee
 * W 121–111
 * Wilkins (33)
 * Wilkins (10)
 * Rivers (15)
 * The Omni 12,190
 * 3–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * May 11, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Boston
 * L 101–110
 * Wilkins (25)
 * Rivers (9)
 * Battle, Rivers, Webb (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 13, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Boston
 * L 97–108
 * Wilkins (22)
 * Rollins (9)
 * Rivers (6)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 15, 1988 1:00p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * W 110–92
 * Wilkins (25)
 * Willis (13)
 * Webb (13)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 16, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * W 118–109
 * Wilkins (40)
 * Rollins (12)
 * Rivers (22)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * May 18, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Boston
 * W 112–104
 * Willis (27)
 * Willis (14)
 * Rivers (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * May 20, 1988 1:00p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * L 100–102
 * Wilkins (35)
 * Rollins, Willis (11)
 * Webb (7)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * May 22, 1988 1:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Boston
 * L 116–118
 * Wilkins (47)
 * Willis (11)
 * Rivers (18)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 3–4

Playoffs
Player Statistics Citation:

Awards and records

 * Dominique Wilkins, All-NBA Second Team