1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 21st season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was Bernie Bickerstaff's first season with a winning percentage above .500, coaching the Sonics to a 44–38 record. However, in the 1988 NBA Playoffs, they lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Xavier McDaniel was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game.

Draft picks
Seattle selected future hall of famer Scottie Pippen in the first round thanks to a pick acquired from the New York Knicks, but traded him on draft day to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice and two future conditional draft picks.

1987–88 Salaries
Sources:
 * Basketball Reference: SEA Salaries

Game log

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"


 * 1
 * November 6, 1987 7:30p.m. PST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 109–113
 * Chambers (20)
 * McDaniel (9)
 * McMillan (12)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 2 || November 7 || Phoenix Suns || 96-112 || Dale Ellis (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,252 || 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 10, 1987 7:30p.m. PST
 * Dallas
 * L 101-117
 * Ellis (28)
 * Lister (8)
 * Vincent (6)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 10,447
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 4 || November 12 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 123-118 || Xavier McDaniel (23) || || || HemisFair Arena 6,399 || 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 13, 1987 5:00p.m. PST
 * @ Dallas
 * W 103–95
 * Ellis (22)
 * Lister (8)
 * McMillan (11)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 6 || November 15 || vs Houston Rockets || 108-106 || Dale Ellis (34) || || || The Summit 16,611 || 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 7 || November 18 || Portland Trail Blazers || 114-120 || Xavier McDaniel (32) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 8,461 || 3–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 8 || November 20 || Milwaukee Bucks || 97-99 || Xavier McDaniel (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,601 || 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 9 || November 21 || Washington Bullets || 103-124 || Xavier McDaniel (28) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,437 || 5–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 10
 * November 24, 1987 7:30p.m. PST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 103–85
 * McDaniel (34)
 * Liiister (13)
 * McMillan (10)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,634
 * 6–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 27, 1987 4:30p.m. PST
 * @ Boston
 * L 112–117
 * Ellis (37)
 * Ellis (9)
 * McMillan (10)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 6–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 12 || November 28 || vs Indiana Pacers || 131-115 || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Market Square Arena 11,538 || 6–6


 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 13 || December 1 || vs New York Knicks || 109-112 || Dale Ellis (37) || || || Madison Square Garden (IV) 11,424 || 7–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 14 || December 2 || vs Cleveland Cavaliers || 104-102 || Dale Ellis (25) || || || Coliseum at Richfield 6,207 || 7–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 15 || December 4 || vs Philadelphia 76ers || 118-105 || Tom Chambers (24) || || || The Spectrum 13,115 || 7–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 16 || December 5 || vs Washington Bullets || 99-115 || Xavier McDaniel (26) || || || Capital Centre 11,604 || 8–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 17 || December 8 || Cleveland Cavaliers || 96-107 || Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (25) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 8,520 || 9–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 18 || December 10 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 113-96 || Dale Ellis (20) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 5,852 || 9–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 19 || December 12 || Los Angeles Clippers || 95-116 || Xavier McDaniel (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,623 || 10–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 14, 1987
 * @ Utah
 * L 95–116
 * Ellis (29)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 10–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 21 || December 15 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 128-109 || Xavier McDaniel (22) || || || Memorial Coliseum 12,666 || 10–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 22 || December 17 || Sacramento Kings || 109-114 || Tom Chambers (42) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,238 || 11–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 23 || December 19 || vs Golden State Warriors || 102-129 || Xavier McDaniel (32) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,998 || 12–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 20, 1987 7:30p.m. PST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 94–103
 * Ellis (24)
 * McDaniel (11)
 * McDaniel (7)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 12–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 25 || December 23 || vs Phoenix Suns || 102-103 || Dale Ellis (35) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,351 || 13–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 26
 * December 26, 1987
 * @ Denver
 * L 111–115
 * McDaniel (26)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 12,403
 * 13–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 28, 1987
 * Denver
 * W 108–100
 * McDaniel (30)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 13,007
 * 14–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 30, 1987 7:30p.m. PST
 * Boston
 * W 111–105
 * Chambers (31)
 * Lister (12)
 * Vincent (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,850
 * 15–13
 * W 111–105
 * Chambers (31)
 * Lister (12)
 * Vincent (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,850
 * 15–13


 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 29 || January 2 || Philadelphia 76ers || 114-116 || Xavier McDaniel (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250 || 16–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 30 || January 5 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 126-114 || Dale Ellis (32) || || || Memorial Coliseum 12,666 || 16–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 31 || January 6 || Houston Rockets || 95-110 || Tom Chambers (46) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,289 || 17–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 32 || January 9 || San Antonio Spurs || 133-141 || Dale Ellis (47) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,565 || 18–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 33 || January 10 || vs Sacramento Kings || 109-108 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || ARCO Arena (I) 10,333 || 18–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 34 || January 13 || Golden State Warriors || 115-144 || Xavier McDaniel (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 7,909 || 19–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 15, 1988
 * Utah
 * W 124–105
 * Ellis (39)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 10,418
 * 20–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 36 || January 16 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 112-114 (OT) || Dale Ellis (41) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8,697 || 21–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 37 || January 18 || Indiana Pacers || 105-115 || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,151 || 22–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 38 || January 20 || New York Knicks || 96-108 || Xavier McDaniel (41) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,767 || 23–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 22, 1988 7:30p.m. PST
 * Detroit
 * W 109–106
 * Ellis (47)
 * Lister (13)
 * McMillan (14)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,737
 * 24–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc
 * 40
 * January 24, 1988 12:30p.m. PST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 109–116
 * McDaniel (35)
 * Chambers (10)
 * McMillan (11)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,739
 * 24–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 41 || January 26 || vs Sacramento Kings || 100-116 || Dale Ellis (42) || || || ARCO Arena (I) 10,333 || 25–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 42
 * January 29, 1988 5:30p.m. PST
 * @ Dallas
 * L 109–117
 * Ellis (35)
 * Lister (9)
 * McMillan (10)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 25–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 43 || January 30 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 112-102 (OT) || || || Xavier McDaniel Tom Chambers (27) || HemisFair Arena 8,319 || 25–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 43 || January 30 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 112-102 (OT) || || || Xavier McDaniel Tom Chambers (27) || HemisFair Arena 8,319 || 25–18


 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 44
 * February 1, 1988
 * @ Utah
 * L 100–105
 * Ellis (40)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 25–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 45
 * February 4, 1988
 * Atlanta
 * L 109–119
 * Ellis (36)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,611
 * 25–20
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 46 || February 9 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 139-123 || Tom Chambers (21) || || || Memorial Coliseum 12,666 || 25–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 47 || February 11 || Houston Rockets || 115-120 || Tom Chambers (36) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,038 || 26–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 48 || February 13 || vs Golden State Warriors || 109-95 || Dale Ellis (28) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,502 || 26–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 15, 1988 6:00p.m. PST
 * Dallas
 * L 122–128 (OT)
 * Chambers (29)
 * McDaniel (7)
 * Vincent (12)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 13,492
 * 26–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 50 || February 17 || vs Milwaukee Bucks || 115-93 || Dale Ellis (26) || || || MECCA Arena 11,052 || 26–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 18, 1988 4:30p.m. PST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 95–108
 * Chambers (24)
 * Polynice (6)
 * McMillan (9)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 24,482
 * 26–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 52 || February 20 || vs New Jersey Nets || 101-113 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Brendan Byrne Arena 11,137 || 27–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 21, 1988
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 113–129
 * Ellis (31)
 * The Omni 15,437
 * 27–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 23, 1988
 * @ Chicago
 * L 97–104 (OT)
 * Ellis (34)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,648
 * 27–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 55 || February 26 || Sacramento Kings || 130-133 || Dale Ellis (37) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,632 || 28–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 56 || February 27 || Golden State Warriors || 111-114 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,752 || 29–27
 * Chicago Stadium 17,648
 * 27–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 55 || February 26 || Sacramento Kings || 130-133 || Dale Ellis (37) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,632 || 28–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 56 || February 27 || Golden State Warriors || 111-114 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,752 || 29–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 56 || February 27 || Golden State Warriors || 111-114 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,752 || 29–27


 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 57
 * March 1, 1988 7:30p.m. PST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 114–100
 * Ellis (26)
 * McDaniel (12)
 * McMillan (17)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,850
 * 30–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 58
 * March 4, 1988
 * Utah
 * L 110–125
 * Chambers (29)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 11,268
 * 30–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 5, 1988
 * Denver
 * L 102–115
 * Ellis (27)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 13,287
 * 30–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 60 || March 8 || vs Golden State Warriors || 116-121 (OT) || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 11,178 || 31–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 61 || March 9 || vs Sacramento Kings || 97-106 || Dale Ellis (24) || || || ARCO Arena (I) 10,333 || 32–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 62 || March 13 || New Jersey Nets || 102-115 || Tom Chambers (25) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,040 || 33–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 63 || March 15 || vs Phoenix Suns || 111-90 || Dale Ellis (38) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,159 || 33–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 64 || March 17 || vs Houston Rockets || 115-106 || Tom Chambers (24) || || || The Summit 16,611 || 33–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 65 || March 18 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 110-118 (OT) || Xavier McDaniel (31) || || || HemisFair Arena 7,353 || 34–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 20, 1988
 * @ Denver
 * L 95–108
 * Ellis (23)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 13,117
 * 34–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 67 || March 23 || Portland Trail Blazers || 108-118 || Dale Ellis (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250 || 35–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 68 || March 26 || Los Angeles Clippers || 98-131 || Dale Ellis (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,650 || 36–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 29, 1988
 * Chicago
 * W 106–103
 * Chambers (34)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,850
 * 37–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 70 || March 31 || San Antonio Spurs || 117-115 || Dale Ellis Tom Chambers (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,210 || 37–33
 * W 106–103
 * Chambers (34)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,850
 * 37–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 70 || March 31 || San Antonio Spurs || 117-115 || Dale Ellis Tom Chambers (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,210 || 37–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 70 || March 31 || San Antonio Spurs || 117-115 || Dale Ellis Tom Chambers (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,210 || 37–33


 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 71 || April 2 || Phoenix Suns || 107-151 || Xavier McDaniel (26) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,790 || 38–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 72
 * April 5, 1988 7:30p.m. PDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 90–94
 * Chambers (21)
 * Lister (14)
 * McDaniel, McMillan (4)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 38–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 73 || April 6 || Golden State Warriors || 102-114 || Derrick McKey (18) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 9,520 || 39–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 74 || April 8 || Portland Trail Blazers || 100-114 || Xavier McDaniel (34) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,438 || 40–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 75 || April 9 || Houston Rockets || 108-104 || Xavier McDaniel (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,584 || 40–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 76 || April 13 || Los Angeles Clippers || 92-113 || Xavier McDaniel (23) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 41–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 15, 1988 7:30p.m. PDT
 * Dallas
 * W 115–88
 * Lister (19)
 * Lister, McDaniel (7)
 * McMillan (8)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 12,576
 * 42–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"
 * 78 || April 16 || vs Phoenix Suns || 121-119 (OT) || Sedale Threatt (31) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,406 || 42–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 79
 * April 19, 1988
 * @ Denver
 * L 114–134
 * Chambers (29)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 14,478
 * 42–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 80 || April 20 || Phoenix Suns || 98-121 || Dale Ellis (24) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 43–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 22, 1988
 * Utah
 * L 109–110
 * Ellis (20)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250
 * 43–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 82 || April 24 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 100-109 || Russ Schoene Tom Chambers (20) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Not announced || 44–38
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250
 * 43–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"
 * 82 || April 24 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 100-109 || Russ Schoene Tom Chambers (20) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Not announced || 44–38


 * Green background indicates win.
 * Red background indicates loss.

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 29, 1988
 * @ Denver
 * L 123–126
 * Chambers (29)
 * McDaniel (10)
 * McDaniel, McMillan (8)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * May 1, 1988
 * @ Denver
 * W 111–91
 * Ellis (24)
 * McDaniel (17)
 * McMillan (6)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 3, 1988
 * Denver
 * L 114–125
 * Chambers (34)
 * McDaniel (12)
 * McMillan (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 5, 1988
 * Denver
 * W 127–117
 * McDaniel (27)
 * McKey (7)
 * Young (8)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 7, 1988
 * @ Denver
 * L 96–115
 * Chambers (23)
 * Lister (8)
 * McDaniel (5)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 16,040
 * 2–3

Season

 * 1. Statistics with the SuperSonics.

Awards

 * Derrick McKey earned an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.
 * Xavier McDaniel was selected to participate in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game.

Subtractions

 * 2. Received a conditional 1990 second round pick as compensation.
 * 3. Suspended on December 6, 1987 due to failed mandatory drug counseling; later retired altogether.