1987–88 Utah Jazz season

The 1987–88 Utah Jazz season was the team's 14th in the NBA. The Jazz finished third in the Midwest Division with a record of 47–35, and qualified for the playoffs for the fifth straight season. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in four games, but then lost in seven games to the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals. Karl Malone was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game.

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Dallas
 * L 93–95
 * Malone (25)
 * Eaton (12)
 * Stockton (8)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * November 7
 * Sacramento
 * W 121–100
 * Salt Palace
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 10
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 88–100
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Dallas
 * W 121–92
 * Malone (32)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (14)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 13
 * Phoenix
 * W 109–92
 * Salt Palace
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 14
 * @ Houston
 * L 93–101
 * The Summit
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Denver
 * W 120–110
 * Malone (25)
 * Eaton (25)
 * Stockton (15)
 * Salt Palace 11,461
 * 4–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 18
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 80–90
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * November 20
 * Indiana
 * W 112–81
 * Salt Palace
 * 5–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 21
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 119–120
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 5–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Washington
 * W 100–83
 * Malone (22)
 * Bailey, Eaton (14)
 * Green (8)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 6–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 27
 * Houston
 * W 118–96
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 30
 * Philadelphia
 * L 100–106
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–6
 * Washington
 * W 100–83
 * Malone (22)
 * Bailey, Eaton (14)
 * Green (8)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 6–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 27
 * Houston
 * W 118–96
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 30
 * Philadelphia
 * L 100–106
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–6
 * L 100–106
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–6
 * Salt Palace
 * 7–6
 * 7–6


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Chicago
 * L 101–105
 * Malone (33)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 7–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * December 4
 * New York
 * W 104–92
 * Salt Palace
 * 8–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * December 5
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 126–117
 * ARCO Arena
 * 9–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17
 * December 8
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 100–105
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 9–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 10
 * @ Houston
 * L 93–98
 * The Summit
 * 9–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 12
 * Golden State
 * W 127–93
 * Salt Palace
 * 10–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 14
 * Seattle
 * W 116–95
 * Salt Palace
 * 11–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Boston
 * L 111–121
 * Malone (31)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 11–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * December 18
 * @ Indiana
 * L 97–121
 * Market Square Arena
 * 11–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 124–130 (OT)
 * Griffith (32)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (15)
 * The Omni 12,515
 * 11–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 21
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 95–106
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 91–83
 * Malone (26)
 * Eaton (16)
 * Green (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 9,202
 * 12–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * 2:00p.m. MST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 109–117
 * Malone (26)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (15)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 12–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * @ Denver
 * W 98–97
 * Malone (37)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (8)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 10,621
 * 13–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * Golden State
 * W 104–103
 * Salt Palace
 * 14–14
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 109–117
 * Malone (26)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (15)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 12–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * @ Denver
 * W 98–97
 * Malone (37)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (8)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 10,621
 * 13–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * Golden State
 * W 104–103
 * Salt Palace
 * 14–14
 * Salt Palace
 * 14–14
 * 14–14


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * January 2
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 105–107
 * ARCO Arena
 * 14–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Boston
 * L 99–107
 * Malone (25)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 14–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 6
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 93–116
 * The Spectrum
 * 14–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 111–107
 * Malone (29)
 * Malone (11)
 * Stockton (18)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 15–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 91–113
 * Malone (25)
 * Malone (8)
 * Stockton (9)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,877
 * 15–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 13
 * Portland
 * W 116–104
 * Salt Palace
 * 16–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 15
 * @ Seattle
 * L 105–124
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 16–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Detroit
 * L 117–120
 * Malone (39)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 16–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 22
 * San Antonio
 * W 119–106
 * Salt Palace
 * 17–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Cleveland
 * W 119–96
 * Malone (36)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 18–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * 8:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 100–111
 * Malone, Stockton (18)
 * Bailey, Eaton, Malone (9)
 * Stockton (11)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 18–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 29
 * @ Golden State
 * L 100–102
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 18–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Atlanta
 * W 115–109
 * Bailey (33)
 * Eaton (14)
 * Stockton (19)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 19–22
 * January 29
 * @ Golden State
 * L 100–102
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 18–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Atlanta
 * W 115–109
 * Bailey (33)
 * Eaton (14)
 * Stockton (19)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 19–22
 * Stockton (19)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 19–22


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * February 1
 * Seattle
 * W 105–100
 * Salt Palace
 * 20–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * February 3
 * Sacramento
 * W 123–91
 * Salt Palace
 * 21–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * February 4
 * @ Portland
 * W 126–123
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 22–22
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * 6:00p.m. MST
 * @ Dallas
 * L 93–124
 * Malone (18)
 * Bailey (9)
 * Stockton (14)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 22–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Dallas
 * W 93–80
 * Bailey (24)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (16)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 23–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * @ Denver
 * L 93–107
 * Malone (31)
 * Eaton (12)
 * Stockton (12)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 9,971
 * 23–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 15
 * Portland
 * W 112–94
 * Salt Palace
 * 24–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * February 17
 * Phoenix
 * W 108–103
 * Salt Palace
 * 25–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * February 19
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 98–88
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 26–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 20
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 120–103
 * Salt Palace
 * 26–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Denver
 * L 120–123
 * Malone (38)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (16)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 27–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * 8:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 105–112
 * Malone (28)
 * Malone (16)
 * Stockton (15)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 27–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 29
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 115–110
 * ARCO Arena
 * 28–26
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (16)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 27–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * 8:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 105–112
 * Malone (28)
 * Malone (16)
 * Stockton (15)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 27–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 29
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 115–110
 * ARCO Arena
 * 28–26
 * ARCO Arena
 * 28–26
 * 28–26


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * March 1
 * Houston
 * W 113–112
 * Salt Palace
 * 29–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * March 4
 * @ Seattle
 * W 125–110
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 30–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * March 5
 * San Antonio
 * W 125–106
 * Salt Palace
 * 31–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * March 7
 * New Jersey
 * W 105–81
 * Salt Palace
 * 32–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 98–103
 * Malone (26)
 * Malone (18)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 20,623
 * 32–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * 6:00p.m. MST
 * @ Washington
 * W 109–107
 * Malone (34)
 * Malone, Turpin (8)
 * Stockton (16)
 * Capital Centre 10,775
 * 33–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61
 * March 12
 * @ New York
 * L 105–108
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 33–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * @ Denver
 * W 116–115
 * Bailey (31)
 * Eaton (12)
 * Stockton (20)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 10,172
 * 34–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Dallas
 * W 120–105
 * Malone (29)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (17)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 35–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Denver
 * W 118–111
 * Malone (30)
 * Eaton, Malone (10)
 * Stockton (15)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 36–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 19
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 110–113
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 36–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * March 22
 * Phoenix
 * W 103–96
 * Salt Palace
 * 37–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * March 24
 * Sacramento
 * W 117–97
 * Salt Palace
 * 38–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 105–107
 * Malone (33)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (18)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 38–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * 8:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 111–122
 * Malone (25)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (18)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 38–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 31
 * Golden State
 * W 115–92
 * Salt Palace
 * 39–31
 * Milwaukee
 * L 105–107
 * Malone (33)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (18)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 38–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * 8:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 111–122
 * Malone (25)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (18)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 38–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 31
 * Golden State
 * W 115–92
 * Salt Palace
 * 39–31
 * Salt Palace
 * 39–31
 * 39–31


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 106–92
 * Bailey (31)
 * Malone (15)
 * Stockton (16)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 40–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * April 5
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 106–111
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 40–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 7
 * @ Houston
 * L 107–113
 * The Summit
 * 40–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * 6:30p.m. MDT
 * @ Dallas
 * L 95–118
 * Stockton (15)
 * Iavaroni (6)
 * Stockton (9)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 40–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 11
 * @ Golden State
 * W 113–102
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 41–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 12
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 100–93
 * Salt Palace
 * 42–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 14
 * Portland
 * L 123–128
 * Salt Palace
 * 42–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 16
 * San Antonio
 * W 107–82
 * Salt Palace
 * 43–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 19
 * @ Portland
 * W 129–122
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 44–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 20
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 112–106
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 45–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 22
 * @ Seattle
 * W 110–109
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 46–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 23
 * Houston
 * W 125–107
 * Salt Palace
 * 47–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 20
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 112–106
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 45–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 22
 * @ Seattle
 * W 110–109
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 46–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 23
 * Houston
 * W 125–107
 * Salt Palace
 * 47–35
 * 82
 * April 23
 * Houston
 * W 125–107
 * Salt Palace
 * 47–35
 * Salt Palace
 * 47–35
 * 47–35

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 28
 * @ Portland
 * L 96–108
 * Thurl Bailey (31)
 * Karl Malone (13)
 * John Stockton (9)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,666
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 30
 * @ Portland
 * W 114–105
 * Karl Malone (37)
 * Karl Malone (16)
 * John Stockton (13)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,666
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 4
 * Portland
 * W 113–108
 * Karl Malone (35)
 * Karl Malone (9)
 * John Stockton (16)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 6
 * Portland
 * W 111–96
 * Karl Malone (38)
 * Mark Eaton (11)
 * John Stockton (10)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 3–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 91–110
 * Malone (29)
 * Bailey (8)
 * Stockton (16)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * 9:00p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 101–97
 * Malone (29)
 * Eaton (12)
 * Stockton (13)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * 9:00p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 96–89
 * Malone (29)
 * Eaton (14)
 * Stockton (12)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 100–113
 * Malone (29)
 * Malone (11)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * 8:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 109–111
 * Bailey (28)
 * Malone (16)
 * Stockton (24)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * 8:30p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 108–80
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (11)
 * Stockton (17)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 98–109
 * Malone (31)
 * Malone (15)
 * Stockton (20)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 3–4

Awards and records

 * Karl Malone, All-NBA Second Team
 * John Stockton, All-NBA Second Team
 * Mark Eaton, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
 * Karl Malone, NBA All-Defensive Second Team