1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 43rd season of the franchise, 41st in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 29th in Los Angeles. This would also be the final season for All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agent Orlando Woolridge. The Lakers entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions. The team won 15 of their first 18 games, held a 32–15 record at the All-Star break, and finished with a 57–25 record, earning them the top playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Magic Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 12.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, won the Most Valuable Player award,    and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while James Worthy averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and Byron Scott provided the team with 19.6 points and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, A.C. Green provided with 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while being selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Abdul-Jabbar contributed 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Woolridge provided with 9.7 points per game, while Mychal Thompson averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and defensive guard Michael Cooper contributed 7.3 points and 3.9 assists per game. Johnson, Worthy and Abdul-Jabbar were all selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, while head coach Pat Riley was selected to coach the Western Conference. However, Johnson did not participate due to a hamstring injury, as Abdul-Jabbar was selected as his replacement; it would also be the final All-Star appearance for Abdul-Jabbar.

After going undefeated by sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,   then sweeping the Seattle SuperSonics, 4–0 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,    and sweeping the Phoenix Suns, 4–0 in the Western Conference Finals,    the Lakers were seen as the favorites in the 1989 NBA Finals, in a rematch against the Detroit Pistons, who they defeated in last season's NBA Finals in a hard-fought seven games. However, after injuries to their starting backcourt of Johnson and Scott,   the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in four straight games. After the Finals concluded, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement at age 42, after twenty seasons in the NBA. Also following the season, Tony Campbell signed as a free agent with the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 1988–89 season marked an end to a run of eight consecutive Western Conference finals appearances for the Lakers, the most since the 1968–69 Boston Celtics, as in the following season, the Lakers would lose in the conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns in five games.

Regular season

 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * November 4
 * @ Dallas
 * W 116-113
 * James Worthy (25)
 * Johnson & Worthy (6)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 1-0
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * November 5
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 107-122
 * Magic Johnson (21)
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * HemisFair Arena 15,861
 * 1-1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * @ Golden State
 * W 114–102
 * Scott (23)
 * Green, Johnson, Thompson (7)
 * Johnson (18)
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
 * 2–1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * November 9
 * Denver
 * W 128-110
 * Byron Scott (33)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Magic Johnson (19)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 3-1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 5
 * Seattle
 * W 114–103
 * Scott (29)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Johnson (16)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 4–1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 6
 * November 15
 * @ Denver
 * W 148-146 (2OT)
 * James Worthy (33)
 * Mychal Thompson (10)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 15,198
 * 5-1
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 7
 * @ Seattle
 * L 98–101
 * Johnson (28)
 * Johnson, Thompson (10)
 * Jhnson (6)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,576
 * 5–2
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 8
 * November 18
 * Portland
 * W 106-105
 * Magic Johnson (26)
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8)
 * Magic Johnson (9)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 6-2
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 9
 * @ New York
 * W 110–98
 * Worthy (29)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Johnson (13)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,591
 * 7–2
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 10
 * November 23
 * @ Miami
 * W 138-91
 * Orlando Woolridge (22)
 * Tony Campbell (9)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Miami Arena 15,008
 * 8-2
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 11
 * @ Detroit
 * L 99–102
 * Scott (20)
 * Green (14)
 * Johnson (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
 * 8–3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 12
 * November 28
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 109-104
 * Magic Johnson (32)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Magic Johnson (20)
 * The Spectrum 18,168
 * 9-3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 13
 * Seattle
 * W 110–106
 * Johnson (40)
 * Thompson (11)
 * Johnson (10)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 10–3
 * W 110–106
 * Johnson (40)
 * Thompson (11)
 * Johnson (10)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 10–3


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14
 * December 2
 * Utah
 * W 113-92
 * Byron Scott (32)
 * Magic Johnson (12)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 11-3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 15
 * December 4
 * Washington
 * W 119-112 (OT)
 * Magic Johnson (29)
 * Mychal Thompson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 12-3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 16
 * December 6
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 111-102
 * Magic Johnson (25)
 * Mychal Thompson (11)
 * Magic Johnson (21)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,352
 * 13-3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 17
 * Phoenix
 * W 125–111
 * Scott (27)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Johnson (18)
 * Great Western Forum 17,353
 * 14–3
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 18
 * December 10
 * @ Indiana
 * W 112-105
 * Magic Johnson (32)
 * Green & Johnson (11)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Market Square Arena 16,912
 * 15-3
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 19
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 94–95
 * Worthy (21)
 * Green (6)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Bradley Center 18,633
 * 15–4
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 20
 * December 13
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 111-102
 * Magic Johnson (31)
 * Magic Johnson (12)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,041
 * 16-4
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 21
 * December 14
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 113-118 (OT)
 * Magic Johnson (35)
 * A.C. Green (10)
 * Magic Johnson (9)
 * Brendan Byrne Arena 20,049
 * 16-5
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 22
 * December 16
 * @ Boston
 * L 96-110
 * Magic Johnson (31)
 * A.C. Green (16)
 * Magic Johnson (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 16-6
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * December 18
 * @ Washington
 * L 110-115
 * James Worthy (31)
 * James Worthy (7)
 * Magic Johnson (8)
 * Capital Centre 18,643
 * 16-7
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 24
 * @ Chicago
 * L 103–116
 * Johnson (31)
 * Thompson (9)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 16–8
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 25
 * December 23
 * Sacramento
 * W 120-102
 * Magic Johnson (27)
 * A.C. Green (11)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 17-8
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 26
 * December 25
 * @ Utah
 * L 87-101
 * Johnson & Worthy (18)
 * Mychal Thompson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 17-9
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 27
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 96–111
 * Scott (24)
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (8)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 17–10
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 28
 * December 28
 * Philadelphia
 * W 128-123
 * Johnson & Worthy (26)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Magic Johnson (18)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 18-10
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 29
 * December 30
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 124-109
 * Magic Johnson (34)
 * James Worthy (11)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 19-10
 * James Worthy (11)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 19-10


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 30
 * @ Seattle
 * L 106–116
 * Green (27)
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,645
 * 19–11
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * January 4
 * Portland
 * W 133-120
 * Mychal Thompson (27)
 * Green & Thompson (11)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 20-11
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 32
 * January 6
 * Miami
 * W 118-86
 * Orlando Woolridge (29)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 21-11
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 33
 * January 8
 * San Antonio
 * W 126-96
 * 3 players tied (17)
 * 3 players tied (8)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 22-11
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 34
 * January 10
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 97-106
 * Johnson & Worthy (22)
 * A.C. Green (12)
 * Magic Johnson (12)
 * ARCO Arena 16,517
 * 22-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 35
 * January 13
 * Cleveland
 * W 116-95
 * Magic Johnson (26)
 * A.C. Green (15)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 23-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 36
 * January 15
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 116-95
 * Byron Scott (28)
 * Green & Johnson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (12)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,352
 * 24-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37
 * January 16
 * Houston
 * W 124-113
 * James Worthy (26)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Magic Johnson (18)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 25-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 38
 * January 18
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 111-90
 * Magic Johnson (19)
 * James Worthy (15)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,301
 * 26-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 39
 * January 20
 * Dallas
 * W 115-99
 * Magic Johnson (30)
 * James Worthy (10)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 27-12
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 40
 * New York
 * L 117–122
 * Johnson, Worthy (26)
 * Worthy (14)
 * Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 27–13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 41
 * January 27
 * Charlotte
 * W 114-97
 * A.C. Green (24)
 * A.C. Green (11)
 * Cooper & Johnson (10)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 28-13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 42
 * January 29
 * @ Dallas
 * W 118-93
 * A.C. Green (25)
 * James Worthy (12)
 * Magic Johnson (9)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 29-13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 43
 * January 31
 * @ Houston
 * W 125-114
 * A.C. Green (24)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * The Summit 16,611
 * 30-13
 * The Summit 16,611
 * 30-13


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 44
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 97–114
 * Johnson (17)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 30–14
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 45
 * February 3
 * Portland
 * W 140-129
 * Magic Johnson (29)
 * A.C. Green (11)
 * Magic Johnson (8)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 31-14
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46
 * February 5
 * New Jersey
 * W 134-116
 * Magic Johnson (27)
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 32-14
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 47
 * Golden State
 * L 118–121
 * Worthy (30)
 * Johnson, Woolridge (8)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 32–15
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 48
 * Detroit
 * L 103–111
 * Worthy (33)
 * Green (11)
 * Cooper (8)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 32–16
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 49
 * February 16
 * @ Portland
 * W 110-101
 * James Worthy (28)
 * Mychal Thompson (12)
 * Michael Cooper (7)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,848
 * 33-16
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 50
 * February 19
 * Boston
 * W 119-110
 * Byron Scott (35)
 * A.C. Green (11)
 * Michael Cooper (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 34-16
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 51
 * February 20
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 100-97
 * Byron Scott (33)
 * A.C. Green (10)
 * Cooper & Worthy (7)
 * ARCO Arena 16,517
 * 35-16
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 52
 * February 22
 * @ Utah
 * L 79-105
 * Byron Scott (14)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Michael Cooper (7)
 * Salt Palace 12,444
 * 35-17
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 53
 * February 24
 * Sacramento
 * W 115-103
 * Byron Scott (31)
 * A.C. Green (15)
 * Magic Johnson (8)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 36-17
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 54
 * Phoenix
 * W 134–122
 * Scott (29)
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (19)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 37–17
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (19)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 37–17


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 55
 * Golden State
 * W 142–121
 * Johnson (35)
 * Johnspn (14)
 * Johnson (8)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 38–17
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 56
 * March 3
 * Indiana
 * W 139-117
 * A.C. Green (24)
 * A.C. Green (11)
 * Magic Johnson (16)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 39-17
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 57
 * March 5
 * @ Houston
 * L 83-88
 * James Worthy (19)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * The Summit 16,611
 * 39-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 58
 * March 7
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 106-97
 * James Worthy (24)
 * A.C. Green (13)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * Omni Coliseum 16,371
 * 40-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * March 8
 * @ Miami
 * W 127-87
 * Tony Campbell (19)
 * Mark McNamara (13)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Miami Arena 15,008
 * 41-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 60
 * March 10
 * @ Charlotte
 * W 123-90
 * Byron Scott (25)
 * A.C. Green (15)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * Charlotte Coliseum 23,388
 * 42-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 61
 * @ Golden State
 * W 126–115
 * Scott (32)
 * Abdul-Jabbar (11)
 * Johnson (10)
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
 * 43–18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * March 13
 * Houston
 * W 97-96
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (21)
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
 * Magic Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 44-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 63
 * March 17
 * Dallas
 * W 106-103
 * Magic Johnson (31)
 * A.C. Green (15)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 45-18
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 64
 * March 19
 * Atlanta
 * L 111-113
 * Magic Johnson (29)
 * A.C. Green (14)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 45-19
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 65
 * Chicago
 * L 103–104
 * Johnson (20)
 * Johnson (8)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 45–20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 66
 * March 23
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 115-92
 * Magic Johnson (25)
 * A.C. Green (15)
 * Magic Johnson (14)
 * ARCO Arena 16,517
 * 46-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67
 * Phoenix
 * W 118–116
 * Johnson (34)
 * Green (12)
 * Johnson (18)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 47–20
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 104–127
 * Worthy (24)
 * Worthy (11)
 * Johnson (14)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 47–21
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 69
 * March 30
 * San Antonio
 * W 138-98
 * Byron Scott (35)
 * Magic Johnson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 48-21
 * Byron Scott (35)
 * Magic Johnson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 48-21


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 70
 * April 1
 * @ Denver
 * L 108-114 (OT)
 * James Worthy (25)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Magic Johnson (15)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
 * 48-22
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 71
 * Milwaukee
 * W 118–117
 * Scott (32)
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 49–22
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 72
 * @ Seattle
 * W 115–97
 * Green (33)
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (18)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810
 * 50–22
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 73
 * April 7
 * Utah
 * L 97-99
 * Johnson & Worthy (24)
 * James Worthy (9)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 50-23
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 74
 * @ Golden State
 * L 116-122
 * Johnson (24)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
 * 50-24
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75
 * April 10
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 133-116
 * Magic Johnson (24)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 51-24
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 76
 * April 12
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 107-100
 * Magic Johnson (24)
 * A.C. Green (12)
 * Magic Johnson (7)
 * HemisFair Arena 15,861
 * 52-24
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 77
 * April 15
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 107-119
 * Magic Johnson (26)
 * A.C. Green (8)
 * Magic Johnson (13)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,352
 * 52-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 78
 * April 16
 * Miami
 * W 121-108
 * Magic Johnson (24)
 * Mychal Thompson (9)
 * Magic Johnson (7)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 53-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 79
 * April 18
 * Denver
 * W 142-118
 * James Worthy (26)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Magic Johnson (17)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 54-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 80
 * April 20
 * Sacramento
 * W 118-115
 * James Worthy (38)
 * A.C. Green (9)
 * Magic Johnson (16)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 55-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 81
 * April 21
 * @ Portland
 * W 121-114
 * Magic Johnson (23)
 * A.C. Green (12)
 * Magic Johnson (10)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,880
 * 56-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 82
 * Seattle
 * W 121–117
 * Johnson (29)
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (21)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 57–25
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (21)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 57–25

Playoffs

 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * April 27
 * Portland
 * W 128–108
 * Magic Johnson (30)
 * Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (8)
 * Magic Johnson (16)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 1–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * April 30
 * Portland
 * W 113–105
 * Magic Johnson (35)
 * A.C. Green (13)
 * Magic Johnson (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 2–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * May 3
 * @ Portland
 * W 116–108
 * Byron Scott (25)
 * A.C. Green (13)
 * Magic Johnson (7)
 * Memorial Coliseum 12,880
 * 3–0


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * Seattle
 * W 113–102
 * Worthy (28)
 * Worthy (12)
 * Johnson (14)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 1–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * Seattle
 * W 130–108
 * Worthy (30)
 * Green (8)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 2–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * @ Seattle
 * W 91–86
 * Worthy (20)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Johnson (14)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,541
 * 3–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * @ Seattle
 * W 97–95
 * Worthy (33)
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,006
 * 4–0
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Seattle Center Coliseum 14,006
 * 4–0


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1
 * Phoenix
 * W 127–119
 * Worthy (32)
 * Green (10)
 * Johnson (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 1–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * Phoenix
 * W 101–95
 * Scott (30)
 * Johnson (9)
 * Johnson (14)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 2–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 110–107
 * Worthy (29)
 * Worthy (12)
 * Johnson (11)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 3–0
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 122–117
 * Scott (35)
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (20)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 4–0
 * Green (11)
 * Johnson (20)
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471
 * 4–0


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * @ Detroit
 * L 97–109
 * Johnson, Worthy (17)
 * Green (8)
 * Johnson (14)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
 * 0–1
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * @ Detroit
 * L 105–108
 * Cooper, Worthy (19)
 * Green (9)
 * Johnson (9)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
 * 0–2
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 3
 * Detroit
 * L 110–114
 * Worthy (26)
 * Abdul-Jabbar (13)
 * Cooper (13)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 0–3
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * Detroit
 * L 97–105
 * Worthy (40)
 * Green (12)
 * Cooper (9)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 0–4
 * Green (12)
 * Cooper (9)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 0–4


 * On June 28, 1989, after twenty professional seasons, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement. On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at all the games, home and away.

Awards and honors

 * A.C. Green, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
 * Magic Johnson, NBA Most Valuable Player
 * Magic Johnson, NBA All-First Team