1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Seattle SuperSonics' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Sonics acquired Michael Cage from the Los Angeles Clippers. The SuperSonics won their first three games of the season, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break. However, the team lost seven straight games between March and April, but then posted an 8-game winning streak afterwards, and finished third in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record.

Dale Ellis averaged 27.5 points and 1.3 steals per game, finished second in the league with 162 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game,    while Xavier McDaniel played a sixth man role,   averaging 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game off the bench, and finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,   and second-year forward Derrick McKey became the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Cage provided the team with 10.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Sedale Threatt contributed 8.6 points and 3.8 assists per game off the bench, Nate McMillan contributed 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Alton Lister provided with 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Ellis also won the Three-Point Shootout during the All-Star Weekend in Houston, Texas.

In the playoffs, the SuperSonics defeated the Houston Rockets in four games in the Western Conference First Round,   before being swept by Magic Johnson, and the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The Lakers would reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in four straight games. Following the season, Lister was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

Draft picks
At the 1988 Draft, the SuperSonics got the fifteenth overall pick behind the Phoenix Suns. With their first-round pick, the SuperSonics selected Gary Grant, but he would be traded on draft night along with a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Michael Cage. In the third round, they selected guard Corey Gaines.

Season standings

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

Game log

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1 || November 4 || at Utah Jazz || 104–97 || Dale Ellis (46) || Salt Palace 12,444 || 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2 || November 5 || Denver Nuggets || 142–141 (OT) || Xavier McDaniel (28) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,269 || 2–0
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 * 3 || November 8 || at Sacramento Kings || 97–75 || Dale Ellis (28) || ARCO Arena (II) 16,517 || 3–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4 || November 9 || Golden State Warriors || 108–113 || John Lucas (25) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5 || November 11 || at Los Angeles Lakers || 103–114 || Xavier McDaniel (20) || Great Western Forum 17,505 || 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6 || November 12 || at Denver Nuggets || 129–141 || Dale Ellis (29) || McNichols Sports Arena 12,401 || 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7 || November 17 || Los Angeles Lakers || 101–98 || Dale Ellis (27) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,576 || 4–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8 || November 19 || Dallas Mavericks || 106–112 || Xavier McDaniel (31) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,608 || 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9 || November 22 || Portland Trail Blazers || 104–125 || Dale Ellis (22) || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,956 || 4–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10 || November 23 || at Golden State Warriors || 93–85 || Dale Ellis (36) || Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,770 || 5–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11 || November 25 || at Phoenix Suns || 105–110 || Dale Ellis (28) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,710 || 5–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12 || November 29 || Utah Jazz || 109–102 || Dale Ellis (31) || Seattle Center Coliseum 12,336 || 6–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13 || November 30 || at Los Angeles Lakers || 106–110 || Dale Ellis (36) || Great Western Forum 17,505 || 6–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14 || December 2 || Los Angeles Clippers || 154–104 || Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (27) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 7–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15 || December 3 || Golden State Warriors || 136–106 || Dale Ellis (36) || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,571 || 8–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16 || December 6 || at San Antonio Spurs || 112–107 || Dale Ellis (28) || HemisFair Arena Not announced || 9–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17 || December 7 || at Dallas Mavericks || 98–102 || Dale Ellis (26) || Reunion Arena 17,007 || 9–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18 || December 10 || at Houston Rockets || 91–110 || Dale Ellis (26) || The Summit 16,611 || 9–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19 || December 13 || Phoenix Suns || 126–116 || Dale Ellis (33) || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,500 || 10–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20 || December 15 || San Antonio Spurs || 122–107 || Dale Ellis (28) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 11–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21 || December 17 || Sacramento Kings || 141–111 || Dale Ellis (27) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 12–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22 || December 20 || at Atlanta Hawks || 118–121 || Dale Ellis (30) || Omni Coliseum 14,808 || 12–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23 || December 21 || at Miami Heat || 109–101 || Xavier McDaniel (23) || Miami Arena 15,008 || 13–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24 || December 23 || at Cleveland Cavaliers || 107–119 (OT) || Dale Ellis (32) || Coliseum at Richfield 15,857 || 13–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25 || December 27 || at Los Angeles Clippers || 100–104 || Dale Ellis (24) || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,505 || 13–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26 || December 29 || Miami Heat || 129–99 || Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (25) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,794 || 14–12


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27 || January 3 || Los Angeles Lakers || 116–106 || Dale Ellis (42) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,645 || 15–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28 || January 5 || Sacramento Kings || 120–106 || Dale Ellis (49) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 16–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29 || January 7 || Portland Trail Blazers || 129–123 || Xavier McDaniel (29) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,726 || 17–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30 || January 9 || Cleveland Cavaliers || 105–103 || Derrick McKey (32) || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,119 || 18–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31 || January 10 || at Portland Trail Blazers || 109–125 || Michael Cage (24) || Memorial Coliseum 12,848 || 18–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32 || January 12 || Dallas Mavericks || 130–95 || Dale Ellis (36) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,290 || 19–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33 || January 14 || at Sacramento Kings || 102–93 || Dale Ellis (31) || ARCO Arena (II) 16,517 || 20–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34 || January 16 || at Golden State Warriors || 117–146 || Dale Ellis (26) || Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,340 || 20–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35 || January 17 || Los Angeles Clippers || 130–107 || Dale Ellis (28) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,402 || 21–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36 || January 19 || Houston Rockets || 124–108 || Xavier McDaniel (29) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,146 || 22–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37 || January 21 || New York Knicks || 121–119 || Xavier McDaniel (36) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810 || 23–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38 || January 24 || at Portland Trail Blazers || 103–100 || Derrick McKey (34) || Memorial Coliseum 12,848 || 24–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39 || January 27 || Atlanta Hawks || 119–112 || Derrick McKey (28) || Seattle Center Coliseum 23,362 || 25–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40 || January 29 || Milwaukee Bucks || 112–106 || Derrick McKey (23) || Seattle Center Coliseum 20,009 || 26–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41 || January 31 || New Jersey Nets || 112–118 || Dale Ellis (33) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 26–15


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42 || February 2 || at Miami Heat || 100–93 || Dale Ellis (30) || Miami Arena 14,798 || 27–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43 || February 3 || at Charlotte Hornets || 106–108 || Dale Ellis (27) || Charlotte Coliseum 23,388 || 27–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44 || February 5 || at Boston Celtics || 89–87 || Dale Ellis (30) || Boston Garden 14,890 || 28–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45 || February 7 || at New Jersey Nets || 99–109 || Dale Ellis (34) || Brendan Byrne Arena Not announced || 28–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46 || February 8 || at Philadelphia 76ers || 102–109 || Dale Ellis (30) || The Spectrum 11,224 || 28–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47 || February 14 || San Antonio Spurs || 129–113 || Xavier McDaniel (30) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,506 || 29–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48 || February 15 || at Phoenix Suns || 112–135 || Dale Ellis (21) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,800 || 29–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49 || February 17 || Washington Bullets || 126–112 || Derrick McKey (26) || Seattle Center Coliseum 12,570 || 30–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50 || February 18 || at Portland Trail Blazers || 116–115 || Xavier McDaniel (37) || Memorial Coliseum 12,848 || 31–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51 || February 21 || Boston Celtics || 96–91 || Dale Ellis (30) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,546 || 32–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52 || February 25 || Sacramento Kings || 94–97 || Xavier McDaniel (26) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,780 || 32–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53 || February 27 || at Sacramento Kings || 116–107 || Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (27) || ARCO Arena (II) 16,517 || 33–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54 || February 28 || Indiana Pacers || 106–108 || Dale Ellis (30) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 33–21


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55 || March 3 || Houston Rockets || 118–108 || Dale Ellis (39) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,415 || 34–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56 || March 4 || Philadelphia 76ers || 118–104 || Xavier McDaniel (25) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,688 || 35–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57 || March 7 || at Indiana Pacers || 110–92 || Dale Ellis (27) || Market Square Arena Not announced || 36–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58 || March 8 || at Detroit Pistons || 96–112 || Derrick McKey (21) || The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 || 36–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59 || March 10 || at Milwaukee Bucks || 90–102 || Russ Schoene (18) || Bradley Center 18,633 || 36–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60 || March 11 || at Chicago Bulls || 88–105 || Dale Ellis (26) || Chicago Stadium 18,291 || 36–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61 || March 13 || at Washington Bullets || 101–106 || Dale Ellis (28) || Capital Centre Not announced || 36–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62 || March 14 || at New York Knicks || 110–116 || Xavier McDaniel (34) || Madison Square Garden (IV) 18,759 || 36–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbbb"
 * 63 || March 16 || Charlotte Hornets || 108–88 || Dale Ellis (32) || Seattle Center Coliseum Not announced || 37–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64 || March 18 || at Phoenix Suns || 104–122 || Dale Ellis (29) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,471 || 37–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65 || March 21 || Utah Jazz || 101–96 || Dale Ellis (31) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,500 || 38–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66 || March 23 || Los Angeles Clippers || 115–112 || Dale Ellis (39) || Seattle Center Coliseum 10,349 || 39–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67 || March 25 || Chicago Bulls || 110–111 || Dale Ellis (30) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810 || 39–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68 || March 27 || at Utah Jazz || 105–124 || Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (16) || Salt Palace 12,444 || 39–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69 || March 28 || at Houston Rockets || 117–120 || Dale Ellis (36) || The Summit 16,611 || 39–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70 || March 30 || at Denver Nuggets || 116–123 || Dale Ellis (26) || McNichols Sports Arena 14,851 || 39–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71 || March 31 || Detroit Pistons || 108–111 || Dale Ellis (30) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810 || 39–32


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72 || April 4 || Los Angeles Lakers || 97–115 || Dale Ellis Derrick McKey (23) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,810 || 39–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73 || April 6 || Phoenix Suns || 119–126 || Xavier McDaniel (37) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,457 || 39–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74 || April 8 || at Dallas Mavericks || 114–90 || Dale Ellis (34) || Reunion Arena 17,007 || 40–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75 || April 10 || at San Antonio Spurs || 102–89 || Dale Ellis (28) || HemisFair Arena 12,448 || 41–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76 || April 13 || Miami Heat || 116–111 || Xavier McDaniel (35) || Seattle Center Coliseum 11,267 || 42–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77 || April 15 || Denver Nuggets || 125–92 || Dale Ellis (32) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,250 || 43–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78 || April 17 || at Golden State Warriors || 116–109 (OT) || Derrick McKey (28) || Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 || 44–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79 || April 18 || Golden State Warriors || 122–118 || Xavier McDaniel Dale Ellis (35) || Seattle Center Coliseum 13,568 || 45–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80 || April 20 || Portland Trail Blazers || 124–118 || Dale Ellis Xavier McDaniel (31) || Seattle Center Coliseum 14,320 || 46–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81 || April 21 || at Los Angeles Clippers || 139–136 (OT) || Xavier McDaniel (30) || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,280 || 47–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82 || April 23 || at Los Angeles Lakers || 117–121 || Xavier McDaniel (39) || Great Western Forum 17,505 || 47–35


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

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 28
 * Houston
 * W 111–107
 * Dale Ellis (25)
 * Xavier McDaniel (11)
 * Nate McMillan (11)
 * Seattle Kingdome 14,250
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 30
 * Houston
 * W 109–97
 * McDaniel, Lister (20)
 * Olden Polynice (10)
 * Nate McMillan (8)
 * Seattle Kingdome 12,887
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 3
 * @ Houston
 * L 107–126
 * Dale Ellis (26)
 * Michael Cage (10)
 * Nate McMillan (10)
 * The Summit 16,611
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 5
 * @ Houston
 * W 98–96
 * Dale Ellis (26)
 * Xavier McDaniel (10)
 * Nate McMillan (10)
 * The Summit 16,611
 * 3–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * May 7
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 102–113
 * Derrick McKey (23)
 * Olden Polynice (10)
 * Nate McMillan (12)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 10
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 108–130
 * Xavier McDaniel (17)
 * Xavier McDaniel (8)
 * Sedale Threatt (9)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 12
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 86–91
 * Dale Ellis (30)
 * Xavier McDaniel (12)
 * Sedale Threatt (9)
 * Seattle Kingdome 14,541
 * 0–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 14
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 95–97
 * Xavier McDaniel (30)
 * Xavier McDaniel (11)
 * Nate McMillan (8)
 * Seattle Kingdome 14,006
 * 0–4

Player statistics
Note: PG= per game; M= Minutes; R= Rebounds; A= Assists; S = Steals; B = Blocks; P = Points; T = Turnovers; PF = Personal fouls

Awards and records
1989 NBA All-Star Game selections (game played on February 12, 1989)
 * Dale Ellis

Non All-Star Awards and records
 * Dale Ellis, All-NBA Third Team
 * Dale Ellis, January 8 Player of the Week
 * Xavier McDaniel, April 23 Player of the Week

Trades
Player Transactions Citation: