1987–88 Washington Bullets season

The 1987–88 NBA season was the Bullets' 27th season in the NBA and their 15th season in the city of Washington, D.C. After Kevin Loughery was replaced by Wes Unseld during the season, the Bullets finished second in the Atlantic Division with a 38–44 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games. This would be their final playoff appearance until 1997. Following the season, Moses Malone, who was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Atlanta Hawks.

This season saw the team draft 5'3 Muggsy Bogues with the 12th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft. He is the shortest player in NBA history. After his rookie season, Bogues left for the 1988 Expansion Draft.

Season standings
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * November 6, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 97–114
 * M. Malone (32)
 * M. Malone (12)
 * Bogues (6)
 * The Omni 16,064
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * November 7, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * L 139–140 (2OT)
 * M. Malone (32)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Bogues (7)
 * Capital Centre 19,643
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 10, 1987 8:30p.m. CST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 100–115
 * J. Malone (18)
 * M. Malone (14)
 * Bogues (11)
 * MECCA Arena 10,586
 * 0–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * November 13
 * New York
 * W 108–101
 * Capital Centre
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 15
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–109
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 17, 1987 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 101–105
 * J. Malone (26)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Bogues (6)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,081
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 18, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 82–84
 * Williams (17)
 * Williams (14)
 * Bogues (6)
 * Capital Centre 13,721
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 20
 * @ Portland
 * L 101–120
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 2–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 21
 * @ Seattle
 * L 103–124
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 2–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 24, 1987 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Utah
 * L 83–100
 * M. Malone (17)
 * M. Malone (10)
 * Walker (4)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 2–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * November 25
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 101–96
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 3–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 28, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * W 124–102
 * Williams (21)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 13,028
 * 4–8
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 3–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 28, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * W 124–102
 * Williams (21)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 13,028
 * 4–8
 * Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 13,028
 * 4–8


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * December 2
 * @ Indiana
 * L 102–108
 * Market Square Arena
 * 4–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * December 3, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * L 94–102
 * J. Malone (28)
 * M. Malone (15)
 * Bogues (7)
 * Capital Centre 6,464
 * 4–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * December 5
 * Seattle
 * L 99–115
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * December 8
 * @ New York
 * L 92–116
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 4–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 9, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 120–112 (OT)
 * J. Malone (29)
 * Catledge (15)
 * Bogues (9)
 * Capital Centre 18,643
 * 5–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 11, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 108–114
 * Catledge (26)
 * Bol, Catledge, M. Malone (8)
 * Bogues, Johnson, Walker (4)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 17,884
 * 5–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 12
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 122–107
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 6–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 15, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * L 102–122
 * M. Malone (21)
 * M. Malone (10)
 * Walker (5)
 * Capital Centre 15,890
 * 6–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 17
 * Indiana
 * W 115–111 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 7–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 19, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 109–96
 * King (28)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Johnson (11)
 * Capital Centre 14,353
 * 8–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 22, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * L 102–106
 * J. Malone (27)
 * M. Malone (12)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Capital Centre 4,464
 * 8–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 26, 1987 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 97–102
 * King (24)
 * Bol (8)
 * J. Malone, Williams (5)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 8–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 30
 * Portland
 * L 112–117
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–17
 * December 26, 1987 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 97–102
 * King (24)
 * Bol (8)
 * J. Malone, Williams (5)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 8–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 30
 * Portland
 * L 112–117
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–17
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–17
 * 8–17


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * January 1, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Denver
 * L 109–124
 * Catledge (27)
 * M. Malone (15)
 * Bogues (10)
 * Capital Centre 5,326
 * 8–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * January 2
 * Houston
 * L 100–111
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * January 5
 * New Jersey
 * W 101–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 9–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * January 8, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 109–125
 * J. Malone (31)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Colter, J. Malone (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 9–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * January 9
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 108–76
 * Capital Centre
 * 10–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * January 14, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * W 136–107
 * M. Malone (36)
 * M. Malone (14)
 * Bogues (9)
 * Capital Centre 8,316
 * 11–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 17
 * Sacramento
 * W 130–113
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 18, 1988 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 103–117
 * King (25)
 * Catledge, M. Malone (8)
 * Colter (7)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,767
 * 12–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 20
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 110–98
 * The Spectrum
 * 13–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 22
 * Golden State
 * W 115–91
 * Capital Centre
 * 14–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * January 24
 * Philadelphia
 * W 131–99
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 25
 * Philadelphia
 * W 118–117 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 16–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 27, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–106
 * King (32)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * Bogues (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 16–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 28
 * New York
 * W 104–90
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 126–128 (OT)
 * Catledge (23)
 * Catledge (13)
 * Bogues (12)
 * Richfield Coliseum 18,749
 * 17–23
 * @ Boston
 * L 100–106
 * King (32)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * Bogues (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 16–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 28
 * New York
 * W 104–90
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 126–128 (OT)
 * Catledge (23)
 * Catledge (13)
 * Bogues (12)
 * Richfield Coliseum 18,749
 * 17–23
 * Bogues (12)
 * Richfield Coliseum 18,749
 * 17–23


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * February 2
 * @ New York
 * L 106–110
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 42
 * February 3, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * L 106–107
 * J. Malone (27)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Colter, King (5)
 * Capital Centre 6,806
 * 17–25
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * February 9
 * New Jersey
 * W 126–117 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * February 10, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 102–118
 * J. Malone (34)
 * Catledge (10)
 * J. Malone (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 9,179
 * 18–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * February 13, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 103–105
 * J. Malone (29)
 * Williams (10)
 * Colter (5)
 * The Omni 16,451
 * 18–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 15, 1988 1:00p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 110–114
 * Williams (28)
 * Williams (8)
 * Bogues (4)
 * Capital Centre 9,564
 * 18–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 17, 1988 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Dallas
 * L 108–123
 * Williams (22)
 * Jones, M. Malone (10)
 * Catledge, Colter, King, J. Malone (4)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 18–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 19
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 106–102
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 19–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 20
 * @ Houston
 * L 109–115
 * The Summit
 * 19–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 22, 1988 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Denver
 * L 87–100
 * Johnson, M. Malone (17)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Johnson (6)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 10,553
 * 19–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 23, 1988 10:30p.m. EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 100–111
 * J. Malone (26)
 * Jones (14)
 * Colter (8)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 19–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * February 25
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 129–110
 * ARCO Arena
 * 20–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 27
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 116–106
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 21–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 29
 * @ Golden State
 * W 110–105
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 22–32
 * 20–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 27
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 116–106
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 21–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 29
 * @ Golden State
 * W 110–105
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 22–32
 * W 110–105
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 22–32
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 22–32
 * 22–32


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * March 2
 * Indiana
 * W 111–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * March 4
 * @ Indiana
 * W 95–88
 * Market Square Arena
 * 24–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * March 5, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * W 101–97
 * J. Malone, M. Malone (21)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Bogues (6)
 * Capital Centre 15,656
 * 25–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * March 9
 * Phoenix
 * W 115–111
 * Capital Centre
 * 26–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 11, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Utah
 * L 107–109
 * J. Malone (31)
 * M. Malone (17)
 * Colter, Williams (5)
 * Capital Centre 10,775
 * 26–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * March 13
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 96–104
 * The Spectrum
 * 26–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 14
 * San Antonio
 * W 112–106
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * March 16, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 106–103
 * J. Malone, Williams (28)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Colter (8)
 * Capital Centre 16,515
 * 28–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * March 17
 * @ Indiana
 * L 95–99
 * Market Square Arena
 * 28–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 19
 * Philadelphia
 * L 89–94
 * Capital Centre
 * 28–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 20, 1988 7:00p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 110–118
 * J. Malone (39)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * Colter (8)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 22,075
 * 28–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 23, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 89–104
 * Williams (27)
 * M. Malone (8)
 * Bogues (8)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 28–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * March 24, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 94–91
 * J. Malone (21)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * J. Malone (5)
 * Capital Centre 13,629
 * 29–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 26
 * New Jersey
 * W 99–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 30–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * L 96–107
 * J. Malone (20)
 * M. Malone (15)
 * Bogues, Colter, Williams (5)
 * Capital Centre 8,387
 * 30–39
 * M. Malone (11)
 * J. Malone (5)
 * Capital Centre 13,629
 * 29–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 26
 * New Jersey
 * W 99–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 30–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Cleveland
 * L 96–107
 * J. Malone (20)
 * M. Malone (15)
 * Bogues, Colter, Williams (5)
 * Capital Centre 8,387
 * 30–39
 * Bogues, Colter, Williams (5)
 * Capital Centre 8,387
 * 30–39


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * April 1, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * Dallas
 * W 118–103
 * M. Malone (27)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Bogues (7)
 * Capital Centre 13,783
 * 31–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * April 3
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 105–103
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 32–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * April 5, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * W 105–94
 * Williams (23)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Bogues (12)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,773
 * 33–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 6, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 87–98
 * Colter (29)
 * Jones (8)
 * Williams (5)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,165
 * 33–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * April 8
 * Indiana
 * W 107–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 34–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 10
 * New York
 * L 98–118
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 11, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 86–85
 * Walker (19)
 * Williams (14)
 * J. Malone (9)
 * The Omni 10,473
 * 35–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 13
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 97–98 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 35–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 15
 * @ New York
 * W 106–97
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 36–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 17, 1988 3:30p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * W 98–92
 * M. Malone (24)
 * M. Malone (14)
 * Walker (7)
 * Capital Centre 18,643
 * 37–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 20, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 94–132
 * Alarie, King (14)
 * Bol (8)
 * Bogues (9)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 37–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 21, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Detroit
 * L 87–99
 * M. Malone (23)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * Walker (7)
 * Capital Centre 11,713
 * 37–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 23, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Atlanta
 * W 106–96
 * J. Malone, M. Malone (24)
 * Jones, M. Malone (7)
 * J. Malone (7)
 * Capital Centre 15,638
 * 38–44
 * M. Malone (23)
 * M. Malone (11)
 * Walker (7)
 * Capital Centre 11,713
 * 37–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 23, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Atlanta
 * W 106–96
 * J. Malone, M. Malone (24)
 * Jones, M. Malone (7)
 * J. Malone (7)
 * Capital Centre 15,638
 * 38–44

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 28, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 87–96
 * J. Malone (33)
 * M. Malone (13)
 * Williams (9)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 17,356
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 30, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 101–102
 * J. Malone (31)
 * M. Malone (14)
 * J. Malone (4)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 18,293
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 2, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Detroit
 * W 114–106 (OT)
 * J. Malone (35)
 * M. Malone (9)
 * Colter (6)
 * Capital Centre 9,673
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 4, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Detroit
 * W 106–103
 * J. Malone (25)
 * M. Malone (8)
 * Walker (5)
 * Capital Centre 10,513
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 8, 1988 3:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 78–99
 * KIng (18)
 * M. Malone (12)
 * M. Malone, Walker, Williams (3)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 18,403
 * 2–3