1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Philadelphia 76ers 1989 46 36 Atlantic 2 7 Jim Lynam John Nash Harold Katz The Spectrum First round(lost to Knicks 0–3) PHI WPHL-TV(Neil Funk, Steve Mix)PRISM(Jim Barniak, Matt Guokas) WIP thumb|right|150px|A ticket for a December 1988 game between the 76ers and the Hornets. The 1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 40th season for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, and their 26th season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia 76ers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season Despite finishing with a 36–46 record the previous season, the 76ers received the third overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected power forward Charles D. Smith from the University of Pittsburgh; however, the team soon traded Smith to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for rookie shooting guard, and first-round draft pick Hersey Hawkins out of Bradley University, as the 76ers needed more backcourt scoring to complement the inside play of All-Star forward Charles Barkley. Goldaper Sam N.B.A. Draft: Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers The New York Times June 29, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/29/sports/nba-draft-manning-then-3-way-trade-give-hope-to-lowly-clippers.html February 10, 2022 Baker Chris 1988 NBA Draft: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant Los Angeles Times June 29, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-29-sp-4949-story.html December 6, 2022 1988 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html December 6, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired Ron Anderson from the Indiana Pacers, Groller Keith Sixers Trade Draft Choice to Indiana for Anderson; Pro Basketball The Morning Call October 4, 1988 https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-10-04-2670142-story.html December 20, 2022 Goldaper Sam N.B.A. '88-'89: League Is Changing, But Lakers Are Still on Top The New York Times October 30, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/30/sports/nba-88-89-league-is-changing-but-lakers-are-still-on-top.html February 12, 2022 Smith Sam Anderson a Surprise to 76ers Chicago Tribune December 4, 1988 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-12-04-8802220417-story.html December 20, 2022 and signed free agent and undrafted rookie point guard Scott Brooks. Itagaki Michael  Brooks Fools Experts by Surviving in NBA: Basketball: Former UC Irvine Guard, Who Wasn't Drafted in 1987, Just Finished His Fifth Season in the League  Los Angeles Times  July 3, 1993  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-03-sp-9643-story.html May 29, 2026 Regular season With the addition of Hawkins and Anderson, the 76ers won 10 of their first 15 games of the regular season in November, but then struggled losing 9 of their 14 games in December. With starting small forward Cliff Robinson out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury after only just 14 games, 76ers' Robinson Undergoes Surgery Orlando Sentinel January 11, 1989 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1989-01-11-8901120292-story.html December 20, 2022 Cialini Joe Cliff Robinson Suffers Setback United Press International January 13, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/03/13/Cliff-Robinson-suffers-setback/9165605768400/ January 26, 2023 Sports People: Basketball: Shelton Jones 76er Pact The New York Times January 25, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/25/sports/sports-people-basketball-shelton-jones-76er-pact.html March 2, 2022 the team signed free agents, rookie small forward Shelton Jones, Cialini Joe 76ers Lose Shelton Jones in Expansion Draft United Press International June 16, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/06/16/76ers-lose-Shelton-Jones-in-expansion-draft/1929613972800/ September 25, 2025 and Derek Smith, who was previously released by the Sacramento Kings. Times Staff and Wire Service Reports  In Brief: 76ers Sign Free Agent Derek Smith  Los Angeles Times  February 13, 1989  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-13-sp-1717-story.html October 13, 2026 The 76ers held a 26–20 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=9&year=1989 December 6, 2022 and won four of their final five games of the season, finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 46–36 record, earning the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, and returning to the NBA playoffs after a one-year absence. 1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1989_games.html February 10, 2022 Barkley averaged 25.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Mike Gminski averaged 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1 3 blocks per game, and Anderson played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 16.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. In addition, Hawkins provided the team with 15.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Robinson contributed 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and Maurice Cheeks provided with 11.6 points, 7.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Meanwhile, Smith averaged 7.8 points per game in 36 games, while Gerald Henderson contributed 6.5 points per game, Brooks provided with 5.2 points and 3.7 assists per game, and Jones averaged 5.0 points per game in 42 games. 1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1989.html February 10, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Barkley was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. McManis Sam Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same Los Angeles Times February 12, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-12-sp-3000-story.html December 20, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1989 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1989 May 21, 2023 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1989.html February 10, 2022 Meanwhile, Henderson participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, and Jones participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. All-Star Lineups Ocala Star-Banner February 11, 1989 5D https://books.google.com/books?id=ncBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=1989+NBA+Long+Distance+Shootout+Jon+Sundvold&article_id=6669,2513784&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijoqjIofSPAxWULtAFHfXkOMc4ChDoAXoECAYQAw#v=onepage&q=1989%20NBA%20Long%20Distance%20Shootout%20Jon%20Sundvold&f=false September 25, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 25, 2025 Barkley also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting, McManis Sam Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons Los Angeles Times May 23, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-23-sp-655-story.html December 20, 2022 1988–89 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html February 14, 2022 while Anderson finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Associated Press NBA Sixth Man Voting Rome News-Tribune May 9, 1989 2B https://books.google.com/books?id=LWowAAAAIBAJ&dq=1989+NBA+sixth+man+votes&pg=PA6&article_id=3788,2570767 May 23, 2025 and also finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting. Associated Press Johnson Named Most Improved Player Lewiston Tribune May 16, 1989 3B https://books.google.com/books?id=U5ZfAAAAIBAJ&dq=1989+NBA+Most+Improved+player+kevin+johnson&pg=PA11&article_id=4125,91034 May 23, 2025 The 76ers finished 15th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 531,715 at The Spectrum during the regular season. 1988–89 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989.html February 15, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the 76ers faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, All-Star guard Mark Jackson, and Charles Oakley. The 76ers lost the first two games to the Knicks on the road at Madison Square Garden. Game 2 was notable, because the 76ers blew a 10-point lead with approximately two minutes left in the game, as Knicks guard Trent Tucker's three-point shot with less than 10 seconds left gave New York the win at home, 107–106. Love Ian Knicks 107, Sixers 106 United Press International April 29, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/04/29/Knicks-107-Sixers-106/2779609825600/ December 20, 2022 Goldaper Sam Pro Basketball: Tucker's 3-Pointer Gives Knicks 2-0 Lead The New York Times April 30, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/30/sports/pro-basketball-tucker-s-3-pointer-gives-knicks-2-0-lead.html February 12, 2022 1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks Box Score, April 29, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198904290NYK.html May 29, 2026 The 76ers lost Game 3 to the Knicks at home in overtime, 116–115 at The Spectrum, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Goldaper Sam Wilkins' Overtime Shot Gives Knicks Sweep The New York Times May 3, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/03/sports/wilkins-s-overtime-shot-gives-knicks-sweep.html December 6, 2022 Associated Press NBA Playoffs Roundup: Knicks Complete Sweep with Overtime Win Los Angeles Times May 3, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-03-sp-2350-story.html December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Knicks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-76ers-vs-knicks.html March 20, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Cheeks and David Wingate were both traded to the San Antonio Spurs, Sports People: Basketball: 76ers Trade Cheeks The New York Times August 29, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/29/sports/sports-people-basketball-76ers-trade-cheeks.html February 14, 2022 76ers Send Cheeks to Spurs in 5-Man Deal Los Angeles Times August 29, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-29-sp-1359-story.html June 22, 2023 76ers Send Cheeks to Spurs The Washington Post August 29, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/08/29/76ers-send-cheeks-to-spurs/d897c269-393a-4cf3-8b9b-bf4421b32a5b/ January 27, 2023 while Robinson and Henderson were both released to free agency, and Jones was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves expansion team. Brown Clifton Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft The New York Times June 16, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/16/sports/knicks-green-is-taken-first-in-nba-s-expansion-draft.html September 25, 2025 Howard-Cooper Scott NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers Los Angeles Times June 16, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-16-sp-1959-story.html September 25, 2025 1989 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989_expansion.html September 25, 2025 Draft picks 1988 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 3 Charles Smith PF Pittsburgh 2 44 Everette Stephens PG Purdue 3 57 Hernán Montenegro C Olimpo (Argentina) Roster Philadelphia 76ers 1988–89 #B50000 #FFFFFF #243E7C #FFFFFF 20 Ron Anderson basketball, born 1958 F 6 7 215 1958–10–15 Fresno State 34 Charles Barkley F 6 6 252 1963–02–20 Auburn 1 Scott Brooks G 5 11 165 1965–07–31 UC Irvine 10 Maurice Cheeks G 6 1 180 1956–09–08 West Texas A&M 54 Ben Coleman basketball F 6 9 235 1961–11–14 Maryland 42 Mike Gminski C 6 11 250 1959–08–03 Duke 33 Hersey Hawkins G 6 3 190 1966–09–29 Bradley 12 Gerald Henderson G 6 2 175 1956–01–16 VCU 31 Shelton Jones F 6 9 210 1966–04–06 St. John's 4 Cliff Robinson basketball, born 1960 F 6 9 220 1960–05–13 USC 41 Jim Rowinski C 6 8 250 1961–01–04 Purdue 21 Derek Smith basketball G 6 6 205 1961–11–01 Louisville 45 Bob Thornton F 6 10 225 1962–07–10 UC Irvine 44 Chris Welp C 7 0 245 1964–01–02 Washington 25 David Wingate basketball G 6 5 185 1963–12–15 Georgetown Jim Lynam Buzz Braman Fred Carter https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1989.html April 20, 1989 Regular season Season standings PHI PHI z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Philadelphia 76ers #FF0000 #0000FF 1989 Total: 46–36 (home: 29–12; road: 17–24) Philadelphia 76ers November yes #0000FF #FF0000 9 2 1 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 4 | L.A. Clippers |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | November 5 | Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | November 8 | Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | November 9 | @ Milwaukee |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 11 | Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | November 15 | @ Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | November 16 | Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 | November 18 | New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | November 19 | @ New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 10 | November 22 | @ Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | November 23 | Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 12 | November 25 | Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | November 26 | Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 14 | November 28 | L.A. Lakers |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | November 30 | Portland Philadelphia 76ers December #0000FF #FF0000 3 2 2 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | December 1 | @ Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | December 3 | @ Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 18 | December 7 | Denver |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 19 | December 9 | @ Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 20 | December 10 | @ Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 13 | Milwaukee |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 22 | December 14 | @ Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 16 | @ New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 24 | December 17 | Utah |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 25 | December 20 | Dallas |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 26 | December 25 | Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 27 | @ Golden State |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 28 | @ L.A. Lakers |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 29 | December 30 | @ Utah Philadelphia 76ers January #0000FF #FF0000 5 1 4 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | January 5 | @ San Antonio |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 31 | January 7 | @ Houston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | January 9 | @ Dallas |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 33 | January 11 | New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 | January 13 | Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 15 | @ Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 16 | Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | January 18 | Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 38 | January 20 | @ Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 21 | @ Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 25 | Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 27 | Golden State |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | January 28 | @ New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 43 | January 31 | @ Cleveland Philadelphia 76ers February #0000FF #FF0000 3 2 3 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 44 | February 1 | Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | February 3 | Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 46 | February 8 | Seattle |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 47 | February 14 | @ Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 48 | February 15 | Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 17 | New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 50 | February 18 | @ Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | February 22 | @ Miami |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 52 | February 24 | @ Phoenix |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 53 | February 26 | @ Denver |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 54 | February 28 | @ L.A. Clippers Philadelphia 76ers March #0000FF #FF0000 6 3 3 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | March 1 | @ Sacramento |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 56 | March 3 | @ Portland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 57 | March 4 | @ Seattle |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 58 | March 6 | Phoenix |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 | March 7 | @ Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 60 | March 9 | Sacramento |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 61 | March 11 | Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 | March 15 | New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 63 | March 16 | @ New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 64 | March 18 | @ Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 20 | New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 66 | March 22 | Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 24 | San Antonio |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | March 26 | @ Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 28 | Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 | March 31 | Miami Philadelphia 76ers April #0000FF #FF0000 3 2 3 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | April 2 | Houston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | April 4 | @ New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 73 | April 5 | @ Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | April 7 | @ Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | April 8 | @ Milwaukee |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 76 | April 11 | @ Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | April 14 | Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | April 16 | New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 18 | Milwaukee |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 80 | April 20 | @ New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 81 | April 21 | @ Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 82 | April 23 | Washington PHI 1989 Playoffs Philadelphia 76ers 1989 #FF0000 #0000FF yes Philadelphia 76ers First Round yes #0000FF #FF0000 yes no 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 27 | @ New York | L 96–102 | Ron Anderson (26) | Charles Barkley (12) | Maurice Cheeks (16) | Madison Square Garden19,591 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 29 | @ New York | L 106–107 | Charles Barkley (30) | Charles Barkley (12) | Maurice Cheeks (12) | Madison Square Garden19,591 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 2 | New York | L 115–116 (OT) | Charles Barkley (29) | Charles Barkley (11) | Maurice Cheeks (11) | Spectrum16,236 | 0–3 |- PHI 1989 yes Player statistics Playoffs Awards and records Charles Barkley, All-NBA First Team Hersey Hawkins, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team References See also 1988-89 NBA season Category:Philadelphia 76ers seasons Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia