1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 January 2025 Seattle SuperSonics 1988 44 38 Pacific 3 7 Bernie Bickerstaff Bob Whitsitt Barry Ackerley Seattle Center Coliseum First round(lost to Nuggets 2–3) SEA KIRO-TV KTZZ-TV KJR The 1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 21st season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season The SuperSonics received the fifth overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected small forward Scottie Pippen from the University of Central Arkansas; however, the team soon traded Pippen to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for rookie center, and first-round draft pick Olden Polynice from the University of Virginia. The SuperSonics also had the ninth overall pick, and selected small forward Derrick McKey from the University of Alabama. Goldaper Sam Guards Dominate Draft, But Robinson Goes First The New York Times June 23, 1987 https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/23/sports/guards-dominate-draft-but-robinson-goes-first.html August 6, 2025 Edes Gordon Only Surprise in the NBA Draft Is the Big Demand for Guards Los Angeles Times June 23, 1987 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-23-sp-10130-story.html August 6, 2025 1987 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1987.html August 6, 2025 During the off-season, the team acquired Sam Vincent from the Boston Celtics. Sonics Deal The Spokesman-Review October 17, 1987 B2 https://books.google.com/books?id=m1pWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA27&dq=1987+traded+Boston+Celtics+Seattle+SuperSonics+sam+vincent&article_id=4502,792338&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk7tzMweyOAxWlmmoFHbLOGbcQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=1987%20traded%20Boston%20Celtics%20Seattle%20SuperSonics%20sam%20vincent&f=false August 6, 2025 Regular season With the addition of McKey, the SuperSonics lost three of their first four games of the regular season, but later on posted a six-game winning streak in January, and held a 25–20 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 4, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=2&day=4&year=1988 August 6, 2025 At mid-season, the team traded Vincent to the Bulls in exchange for Sedale Threatt. Goldaper Sam Suns Trade Nance to the Cavaliers The New York Times February 26, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/26/sports/suns-trade-nance-to-the-cavaliers.html August 6, 2025 Bulls Get Sam Vincent, Send Threatt to Sonics Chicago Tribune February 26, 1988 https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/02/26/bulls-get-sam-vincent-send-threatt-to-sonics/ August 6, 2025 Bulls Deal Threatt for Vincent Chicago Tribune February 26, 1988 https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/02/26/bulls-deal-threatt-for-vincent/ August 6, 2025 Despite losing 9 of their 13 games in February, the SuperSonics finished in third place in the Pacific Division with a 44–38 record, and earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference; it was head coach Bernie Bickerstaff's first season with a record above .500 in winning percentage. 1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1988_games.html August 6, 2025 Dale Ellis led the SuperSonics in scoring averaging 25.8 points per game, and also led them with 107 three-point field goals, while Xavier McDaniel averaged 21.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and Tom Chambers provided the team with 20.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. In addition, second-year guard Nate McMillan contributed 7.6 points, 8.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Alton Lister provided with 5.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Off the bench, McKey averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team, while Kevin Williams contributed 6.3 points per game, Russ Schoene provided with 6.0 points per game, Polynice averaged 4.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and Danny Young contributed 3.2 points and 2.8 assists per game. 1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1988.html August 6, 2025 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, McDaniel was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance. Barnard Bill Today's NBA All-Star Game Will Be Homecoming of Sorts for 3 Players Los Angeles Times February 7, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-07-sp-41271-story.html August 6, 2025 NBA.com Staff 1988 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1988 August 6, 2025 1988 NBA All-Star Game: East 138, West 133 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1988.html August 6, 2025 Meanwhile, Ellis participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the third consecutive year. United Press International Field Set for NBA Dunk Contest The Daily Record January 13, 1988 11 https://books.google.com/books?id=yCdVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=1988+NBA+slam+dunk+roster&article_id=5534,1225999&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZl9rgtpeQAxUhlGoFHeDSKPoQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20roster&f=false October 9, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 9, 2025 McMillan finished tied in eighth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. 1987–88 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1988.html August 6, 2025 The SuperSonics finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 475,983 at the Seattle Center Coliseum during the regular season. 1987–88 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1988.html February 26, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1988 NBA playoffs, the SuperSonics faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Denver Nuggets, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Alex English, All-Star guard Fat Lever, and sixth man Jay Vincent. The Nuggets took a 2–1 series lead, but the SuperSonics managed to win Game 4 at home, 127–117 at the Seattle Center Coliseum to even the series. Anstine Dennis  Seattle Forward Derrick McKey Wasted No Time Justifying His...  United Press International  May 6, 1988  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/06/Seattle-forward-Derrick-McKey-wasted-no-time-justifying-his/2593578894400/ June 20, 2026 Wilner Barry  Mavericks Eliminate Rockets  The Hour  May 6, 1988  59  https://books.google.com/books?id=FyVJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30&dq=1988+Seattle+SuperSonics+Denver+Nuggets+127-117&article_id=1099,1181734&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjioqjSnJaVAxUNF1kFHRAVJQ4Q6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Seattle%20SuperSonics%20Denver%20Nuggets%20127-117&f=false June 20, 2026 1988 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, May 5, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805050SEA.html June 20, 2026 However, the SuperSonics lost Game 5 to the Nuggets on the road, 115–96 at the McNichols Sports Arena, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press  SuperSonics Go Cold as Nuggets Win Finale, 115-96  The Washington Post  May 8, 1988  https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/05/08/supersonics-go-cold-as-nuggets-win-finale-115-96/3c555252-8f0f-4816-911f-7fd92acb8e84/ April 9, 2026 Associated Press  Nuggets Earn Date with Dallas  Lawrence Journal-World  May 8, 1988  5B  https://books.google.com/books?id=k9MzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1988+Denver+Nuggets+Seattle+SuperSonics+115-96&article_id=7040,2041026&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOv6TxoOGTAxW5lWoFHdruLeEQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Denver%20Nuggets%20Seattle%20SuperSonics%20115-96&f=false April 9, 2026 1988 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-western-conference-first-round-supersonics-vs-nuggets.html August 6, 2025 Aftermath Following the season, Chambers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns, Chambers Joins Suns The New York Times July 6, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/06/sports/chambers-joins-suns.html August 6, 2025 Unrestricted Chambers Signs with the Suns Los Angeles Times July 6, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-06-sp-5323-story.html August 6, 2025 Kragthorpe Kurt Tom's Rich Chambers Spurns Jazz, Signs 5-Year, $9 Million Pact with Suns Deseret News July 6, 1988 https://www.deseret.com/1988/7/6/18770897/tom-s-rich-br-chambers-spurns-jazz-signs-5-year-9-million-pact-with-suns August 6, 2025 while Williams was left unprotected in the 1988 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Miami Heat expansion team, Goldaper Sam Miami Chooses "Who?" First The New York Times June 24, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/sports/miami-chooses-who-first.html August 6, 2025 Edes Gordon Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland Los Angeles Times June 24, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-24-sp-5993-story.html August 6, 2025 1988 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988_expansion.html August 6, 2025 and Young signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. Blazers Sign Young to Three-Year Deal United Press International August 1, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/01/Blazers-sign-Young-to-three-year-deal/8987040092716/ August 6, 2025 Offseason Draft picks 1987 NBA draft 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. Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 5 Scottie Pippen SF United States Central Arkansas 1 9 Derrick McKey SF United States Alabama 3 55 Tommy Amaker G United States Duke 4 78 Todd Linder F United States Tampa 5 101 Michael Tait G United States Clemson 6 124 Tom Gneiting C United States BYU 7 147 Mike Giomi F United States NC State Roster Seattle SuperSonics 1987–88 #006B3C #FFD800 #FFD800 #006B3C 24 Tom Chambers basketball F 6 10 220 1959–06–21 Utah 3 Dale Ellis F/G 6 7 205 1960–08–06 Tennessee 45 Clemon Johnson F/C 6 10 240 1956–09–12 Florida A&M 53 Alton Lister C 7 0 240 1958–10–01 Arizona State 34 Xavier McDaniel F 6 7 205 1963–06–04 Wichita State 31 Derrick McKey F 6 9 205 1966–10–10 Alabama 10 Nate McMillan G 6 5 195 1964–08–03 North Carolina State 23 Olden Polynice C 6 11 220 1964–11–21 Virginia 40 Russ Schoene F/C 6 10 210 1960–04–16 Chattanooga 4 Sedale Threatt G 6 2 175 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech 30 Kevin Williams basketball G 6 2 175 1961–09–11 St. John's 22 Danny Young basketball G 6 3 175 1962–07–26 Wake Forest Bernie Bickerstaff 1987–88 Salaries Player 1987–88 Salary Tom Chambers$950,000 Xavier McDaniel$875,000 Alton Lister$835,000 Clemon Johnson$502,000 Derrick McKey$355,000 Olden Polynice$350,000 Dale Ellis$325,000 Sedale Threatt$270,000 Russ Schoene$250,000 Danny Young$130,000 Nate McMillan$129,000 Kevin Williams$125,000TOTAL$5,096,000 Sources: Basketball Reference: SEA Salarieshttps://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1988.html#all_salaries2 1987-88 Seattle SuperSonics Salaries Basketball Reference Basketball Reference Regular season Season standings SEA SEA Game log Seattle SuperSonics 1988 Total: 44–38 (home: 32–9; road: 12–29) Seattle SuperSonics November yes 5 1 1 5 |- | 1 | November 6 | @ L. A. Lakers | L 109–113 | Tom Chambers (20) | Xavier McDaniel (9) | Nate McMillan (12) | The Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- | 2 | November 7 | Phoenix | W 112–96 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,252 | 1–1 |- | 3 | November 10 | Dallas | L 101–117 | Dale Ellis (28) | Alton Lister (8) | Sam Vincent (6) | Seattle Center Coliseum10,447 | 1–2 |- | 4 | November 12 | @ San Antonio | L 118–123 | Xavier McDaniel (23) | | | HemisFair Arena6,399 | 1–3 |- | 5 | November 13 | @ Dallas | W 103–95 | Dale Ellis (22) | Alton Lister (8) | Nate McMillan (11) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 2–3 |- | 6 | November 15 | @ Houston | L 106–108 | Dale Ellis (34) | | | The Summit16,611 | 2–4 |- | 7 | November 18 | Portland | W 120–114 | Xavier McDaniel (32) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum8,461 | 3–4 |- | 8 | November 20 | Milwaukee | W 99–97 | Xavier McDaniel (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,601 | 4–4 |- | 9 | November 21 | Washington | W 124–103 | Xavier McDaniel (28) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum13,437 | 5–4 |- | 10 | November 24 | L. A. Lakers | W 103–85 | Xavier McDaniel (34) | Alton Lister (13) | Nate McMillan (10) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,634 | 6–4 |- | 11 | November 27 | @ Boston | L 112–117 | Dale Ellis (37) | Dale Ellis (9) | Nate McMillan (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 6–5 |- | 12 | November 28 | @ Indiana | L 115–131 | Dale Ellis (29) | | | Market Square Arena11,538 | 6–6 |- Seattle SuperSonics December 5 0 4 7 |- | 13 | December 1 | @ New York | W 112–109 | Dale Ellis (37) | | | Madison Square Garden11,424 | 7–6 |- | 14 | December 2 | @ Cleveland | L 102–104 | Dale Ellis (25) | | | Coliseum at Richfield6,207 | 7–7 |- | 15 | December 4 | @ Philadelphia | L 105–118 | Tom Chambers (24) | | | The Spectrum13,115 | 7–8 |- | 16 | December 5 | @ Washington | W 115–99 | Xavier McDaniel (26) | | | Capital Centre11,604 | 8–8 |- | 17 | December 8 | Cleveland | W 107–96 | Dale EllisXavier McDaniel(25) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum8,520 | 9–8 |- | 18 | December 10 | @ L. A. Clippers | L 96–113 | Dale Ellis (20) | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena5,852 | 9–9 |- | 19 | December 12 | L. A. Clippers | W 116–95 | Xavier McDaniel (35) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum10,623 | 10–9 |- | 20 | December 14 | @ Utah | L 95–116 | Dale Ellis (29) | | | Salt Palace12,212 | 10–10 |- | 21 | December 15 | @ Portland | L 109–128 | Xavier McDaniel (22) | | | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 10–11 |- | 22 | December 17 | Sacramento | W 114–109 | Tom Chambers (42) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum10,238 | 11–11 |- | 23 | December 19 | @ Golden State | W 129–102 | Xavier McDaniel (32) | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena12,998 | 12–11 |- | 24 | December 20 | @ L. A. Lakers | L 94–103 | Dale Ellis (24) | Xavier McDaniel (11) | Xavier McDaniel (7) | The Forum17,505 | 12–12 |- | 25 | December 23 | @ Phoenix | W 103–102 | Dale Ellis (35) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum10,351 | 13–12 |- | 26 | December 26 | @ Denver | L 111–115 | Xavier McDaniel (26) | | | McNichols Sports Arena12,403 | 13–13 |- | 27 | December 28 | Denver | W 108–100 | Xavier McDaniel (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum13,007 | 14–13 |- | 28 | December 30 | Boston | W 111–105 | Tom Chambers (31) | Alton Lister (12) | Sam Vincent (9) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,850 | 15–13 |- Seattle SuperSonics January 8 1 1 5 |- | 29 | January 2 | Philadelphia || W 116–114 | Xavier McDaniel (35) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 16–13 |- | 30 | January 5 | @ Portland | L 114–126 | Dale Ellis (32) | | | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 16–14 |- | 31 | January 6 | Houston | W 110–95 | Tom Chambers (46) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,289 | 17–14 |- | 32 | January 9 | San Antonio | W 141–133 | Dale Ellis (47) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,565 | 18–14 |- | 33 | January 10 | @ Sacramento | L 108–109 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | ARCO Arena (I)10,333 | 18–15 |- | 34 | January 13 | Golden State | W 144–115 | Xavier McDaniel (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum7,909 | 19–15 |- | 35 | January 15 | Utah | W 124–105 | Dale Ellis (39) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum10,418 | 20–15 |- | 36 | January 16 | @ L. A. Clippers | W 114–112 (OT) | Dale Ellis (41) | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena8,697 | 21–15 |- | 37 | January 18 | Indiana | W 115–105 | Dale Ellis (29) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum10,151 | 22–15 |- | 38 | January 20 | New York | W 108–96 | Xavier McDaniel (41) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,767 | 23–15 |- | 39 | January 22 | Detroit | W 109–106 | Dale Ellis (47) | Alton Lister (13) | Nate McMillan (14) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,737 | 24–15 |- | 40 | January 24 | L. A. Lakers | L 109–116 | Xavier McDaniel (35) | Tom Chambers (10) | Nate McMillan (11) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,739 | 24–16 |- | 41 | January 26 | @ Sacramento | W 116–100 | Dale Ellis (42) | | | ARCO Arena (I)10,333 | 25–16 |- | 42 | January 29 | @ Dallas | L 109–117 | Dale Ellis (35) | Alton Lister (9) | Nate McMillan (10) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 25–17 |- | 43 | January 30 | @ San Antonio | L 102–112 (OT) | Xavier McDanielTom Chambers(27) | | | HemisFair Arena8,319 | 25–18 |- Seattle SuperSonics February 3 2 1 7 |- | 44 | February 1 | @ Utah | L 100–105 | Dale Ellis (40) | | | Salt Palace12,212 | 25–19 |- | 45 | February 4 | Atlanta | L 109–119 | Dale Ellis (36) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,611 | 25–20 |- | 46 | February 9 | @ Portland | L 123–139 | Tom Chambers (21) | | | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 25–21 |- | 47 | February 11 | Houston | W 120–115 | Tom Chambers (36) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum13,038 | 26–21 |- | 48 | February 13 | @ Golden State | W 109–95 | Dale Ellis (28) | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena13,502 | 26–22 |- | 49 | February 15 | Dallas | L 122–128 (OT) | Tom Chambers (29) | Xavier McDaniel (7) | Sam Vincent (12) | Seattle Center Coliseum13,492 | 26–23 |- | 50 | February 17 | @ Milwaukee | L 93–115 | Dale Ellis (26) | | | MECCA Arena11,052 | 26–24 |- | 51 | February 18 | @ Detroit | L 95–108 | Tom Chambers (24) | Olden Polynice (6) | Nate McMillan (9) | Pontiac Silverdome24,482 | 26–25 |- | 52 | February 20 | @ New Jersey | W 113–101 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Brendan Byrne Arena11,137 | 27–25 |- | 53 | February 21 | @ Atlanta | L 113–129 | Dale Ellis (31) | | | The Omni15,437 | 27–26 |- | 54 | February 23 | @ Chicago | L 97–104 (OT) | Dale Ellis (34) | | | Chicago Stadium17,648 | 27–27 |- | 55 | February 26 | Sacramento | W 133–130 | Dale Ellis (37) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,632 | 28–27 |- | 56 | February 27 | Golden State | W 114–111 | Dale Ellis (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum10,752 | 29–27 Seattle SuperSonics March 5 3 3 3 |- | 57 | March 1 | L. A. Lakers | W 114–100 | Dale Ellis (26) | Xavier McDaniel (12) | Nate McMillan (17) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,850 | 30–27 |- | 58 | March 4 | Utah | L 110–125 | Tom Chambers (29) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,268 | 30–28 |- | 59 | March 5 | Denver | L 102–115 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum13,287 | 30–29 |- | 60 | March 8 | @ Golden State | W 121–116 (OT) | Dale Ellis (29) | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena11,178 | 31–29 |- | 61 | March 9 | @ Sacramento | W 106–97 | Dale Ellis (24) | | | ARCO Arena (I)10,333 | 32–29 |- | 62 | March 13 | New Jersey | W 115–102 | Tom Chambers (25) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum9,040 | 33–29 |- | 63 | March 15 | @ Phoenix | L 90–111 | Dale Ellis (38) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum11,159 | 33–30 |- | 64 | March 17 | @ Houston | L 106–115 | Tom Chambers (24) | | | The Summit16,611 | 33–31 |- | 65 | March 18 | @ San Antonio | W 118–110 (OT) || Xavier McDaniel (31) | | | HemisFair Arena7,353 | 34–31 |- | 66 | March 20 | @ Denver | L 95–108 | Dale Ellis (23) | | | McNichols Sports Arena13,117 | 34–32 |- | 67 | March 23 | Portland | W 118–108 | Dale Ellis (35) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 35–32 |- | 68 | March 26 | L. A. Clippers | W 131–98 | Dale Ellis (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum11,650 | 36–32 |- | 69 | March 29 | Chicago | W 106–103 | Chambers (34) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,850 | 37–32 |- | 70 | March 31 | San Antonio | L 115–117 | Dale EllisTom Chambers(27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum9,210 | 37–33 Seattle SuperSonics April 6 2 1 3 |- | 71 | April 2 | Phoenix | W 151–107 | Xavier McDaniel (26) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum9,790 | 38–33 |- | 72 | April 5 | @ L. A. Lakers | L 90–94 | Tom Chambers (21) | Alton Lister (14) | Xavier McDaniel,Nate McMillan (4) | The Forum17,505 | 38–34 |- | 73 | April 6 | Golden State | 102–114 | Derrick McKey (18) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum9,520 | 39–34 |- | 74 | April 8 | Portland | W 114–100 | Xavier McDaniel (34) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,438 | 40–34 |- | 75 | April 9 | Houston | L 104–108 | Xavier McDaniel (27) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum13,584 | 40–35 |- | 76 | April 13 | L. A. Clippers | W 113–92 | Xavier McDaniel (23) | | | Seattle Center ColiseumNot announced | 41–35 |- | 77 | April 15 | Dallas | W 115–88 | Alton Lister (19) | Alton Lister,Xavier McDaniel (7) | Nate McMillan (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum12,576 | 42–35 |- | 78 | April 16 | @ Phoenix | L 119–121 (OT) | Sedale Threatt (31) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum11,406 | 42–36 |- | 79 | April 19 | @ Denver | L 114–134 | Tom Chambers (29) | | | McNichols Sports Arena14,478 | 42–37 |- | 80 | April 20 | Phoenix | W 121–98 | Dale Ellis (24) | | | Seattle Center ColiseumNot announced | 43–37 |- | 81 | April 22 | Utah | L 109–110 | Dale Ellis (20) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 43–38 |- | 82 | April 24 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 109–100 | Russ SchoeneTom Chambers(20) | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports ArenaNot announced | 44–38 SEA 1988 https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1988_games.html Playoffs Seattle SuperSonics yes 1988 Seattle SuperSonics First round yes yes no 1 1 1 2 |- | 1 | April 29 | @ Denver | L 123–126 | Tom Chambers (29) | Xavier McDaniel (10) | Xavier McDaniel,Nate McMillan (8) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 1 | @ Denver | W 111–91 | Dale Ellis (24) | Xavier McDaniel (17) | Nate McMillan (6) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 1–1 |- | 3 | May 3 | Denver | L 114–125 | Tom Chambers (34) | Xavier McDaniel (12) | Nate McMillan (9) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 1–2 |- | 4 | May 5 | Denver | W 127–117 | Xavier McDaniel (27) | Derrick McKey (7) | Danny Young (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 7 | @ Denver | L 96–115 | Tom Chambers (23) | Alton Lister (8) | Xavier McDaniel (5) | McNichols Sports Arena16,040 | 2–3 SEA yes 1988 Statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Tom Chambers Tom Chambers (basketball) 82 82 32.7 .448 .303 .807 6.0 2.6 1.1 .6 20.4 Dale Ellis 75 73 37.2 .503 .413 .767 4.5 2.6 1.0 .1 25.8 Clemon Johnson 74 26 9.8 .467 .000 .688 2.4 .2 .2 .3 1.6 Alton Lister 82 55 22.1 .504 .500 .606 7.6 .7 .3 1.7 5.6 Xavier McDaniel 78 77 34.7 .488 .280 .715 6.6 3.4 1.2 .7 21.4 Derrick McKey 82 4 20.8 .491 .367 .772 4.0 1.3 .9 .8 8.5 Nate McMillan 82 82 29.9 .474 .375 .707 4.1 8.6 2.1 .6 7.6 Olden Polynice 82 0 13.2 .465 .000 .639 4.0 .4 .4 .3 4.1 Russ Schoene 81 2 12.0 .458 .293 .810 2.4 .7 .5 .2 6.0 Sedale Threatta 1 26 0 13.6 .519 .143 .833 1.3 2.0 1.3 .2 7.5 Sam Vincent Sam Vincent (basketball)a 1 43 0 12.7 .474 .385 .767 1.1 3.2 .5 .1 4.5 Kevin Williams Kevin Williams (basketball) 80 9 13.6 .442 .143 .844 1.6 1.2 .8 .1 6.3 Danny Young Danny Young (basketball) 77 0 12.3 .408 .286 .811 1.0 2.8 .7 .0 3.2 1.1 Statistics with the SuperSonics. Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Tom Chambers Tom Chambers (basketball) 5 25.8 .549 .000 .829 6.2 2.2 .6 .2 25.8 Dale Ellis 5 34.4 .482 .250 .724 4.6 3.0 .6 .4 20.8 Clemon Johnson 5 7.8 .429 .000 .500 1.4 .0 .2 .2 1.4 Alton Lister 5 15.4 .706 .000 .800 5.8 1.0 .2 1.0 5.6 Xavier McDaniel 5 36.0 .556 .500 .500 9.6 5.0 .6 .2 21.2 Derrick McKey 5 21.8 .632 .333 .588 4.0 1.6 .6 1.0 12.0 Nate McMillan 5 25.4 .343 .000 .643 4.2 6.6 .4 .6 6.6 Olden Polynice 5 13.2 .455 .000 .000 1.6 .0 .6 .0 2.0 Russ Schoene 5 7.8 .583 .500 .000 1.4 .4 .2 .0 3.2 Sedale Threatt 5 16.0 .412 .000 1.000 2.2 2.2 .2 .0 6.4 Kevin Williams Kevin Williams (basketball) 5 14.0 .438 .000 .000 1.6 1.8 .6 .0 2.8 Danny Young Danny Young (basketball) 5 19.0 .524 .000 1.000 2.0 3.8 .4 .4 6.4 Awards and records Awards Derrick McKey earned an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection. Xavier McDaniel was selected to participate in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game. Records Transactions Overview Players Added Via draft Derrick McKey Olden Polynice Via free agency Ricky Wilson Via trade Sam Vincent Sedale ThreattPlayers Lost Via free agency Maurice Lucas Via trade Sam Vincent Via waiver Ricky Wilson Mike Phelps Tod Murphy Trades October 16, 1987 To Seattle SuperSonicsSam VincentScott Wedman To Boston CelticsConditional 1988 second round pick February 25, 1988 To Seattle SuperSonicsSedale Threatt To Chicago BullsSam Vincent Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former teamRicky Wilson October 7, 1987 Mississippi Jets Subtractions Player Left New teamMaurice Lucasb 2 November 10, 1987 Portland Trail BlazersEddie Johnson December 6, 1987 (Suspended/Retired)b 3 2.2 Received a conditional 1990 second round pick as compensation. 3.3 Suspended on December 6, 1987 due to failed mandatory drug counseling; later retired altogether. See also 1987–88 NBA season References 2 Category:Seattle SuperSonics seasons Seattle