1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Charlotte Hornets 1989 20 62 Atlantic 6 12 Dick Harter Carl Scheer George Shinn Charlotte Coliseum Did not qualify CHH WCCB(Gary Sparber, Mike Pratt) WBT(Steve Martin, Gil McGregor) 1 The 1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season was the inaugural season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. Charlotte Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/ August 6, 2026 The "Charlotte Hornets", along with the Miami Heat, joined the NBA as expansion teams during the 1988–89 season; the team was originally going to be named the "Spirit", but later on changed it to the "Hornets".Goldaper Sam April 3, 1987 Charlotte Awarded N.B.A. Franchise https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/03/sports/charlotte-awarded-nba-franchise.html March 9, 2022 The New York TimesApril 23, 1987 NBA Gives Florida Two Franchises -- Miami, Orlando: League Also Grants Expansion Teams to Minneapolis and Charlotte for $32.5 Million https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-23-sp-602-story.html December 28, 2022 Los Angeles Times Associated PressCotton Anthony April 23, 1987 NBA Accepts Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, Twin Cities https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1987/04/23/nba-accepts-miami-charlotte-orlando-twin-cities/f88fe55e-1605-4418-95d1-3822cb35b618/ December 28, 2022 The Washington Post Season summary Off-season The Hornets revealed their new primary logo, adding teal, blue, purple, green and white to their color scheme. The team's primary logo featured a teal hornet with blue eyes and blue stripes bouncing an orange basketball, surrounded by the city and team name in teal letters; the hornet also has a blue letter "H" on its chest underneath the city name "Charlotte" in white letters. Charlotte Hornets Primary Logo  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/3097/Charlotte_Hornets/1989/Primary_Logo February 1, 2022 The team also revealed new white home uniforms with teal, blue, green and purple pinstripes, and new teal road uniforms with white, blue, green and purple pinstripes; both uniforms featured a teal, purple and blue trim, while the home uniforms featured teal side panels on the bottom of their shorts, and the road uniforms featured white side panels. Charlotte Hornets Home Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/fql8n6m5a6m4qgysbgbdems3g/Charlotte_Hornets/1990/Home_Uniform February 1, 2022 Charlotte Hornets Road Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/pmbri9st15lhxh1f5khz0tjzh/Charlotte_Hornets/1990/Road_Uniform February 1, 2022 The team's new primary logo would remain in use until 2002, while the new uniforms would last until 1997, where they added side panels and additional pinstripes to their jerseys. The Hornets played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the 1988 NBA expansion draft, the Hornets selected veteran players like Dell Curry, second-year guard Muggsy Bogues, Mike Holton, Dave Hoppen, Rickey Green, and Mike Brown, who was then traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kelly Tripucka.Goldaper Sam June 24, 1988 Miami Chooses "Who?" First https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/sports/miami-chooses-who-first.html December 28, 2022 The New York TimesEdes Gordon June 24, 1988 Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-24-sp-5993-story.html December 28, 2022 Los Angeles Times1988 NBA Expansion Draft https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988_expansion.html December 28, 2022 Basketball-Reference The team also signed free agents, Kurt Rambis, who won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers,Edes Gordon July 26, 1988 Rambis May Go to Charlotte: Laker Forward Expected to Complete Multi-Year Deal Today https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-26-sp-6258-story.html December 28, 2022 Los Angeles TimesEdes Gordon July 28, 1988 Rambis to Sign Four-Year Contract With Charlotte https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-28-sp-9642-story.html December 28, 2022 Los Angeles TimesHoward-Cooper Scott November 9, 1988 Rambis Happy with Hornets https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/11/09/rambis-happy-with-hornets/bb723afe-1b83-4fae-b3da-3202bb64391c/ December 28, 2022 The Washington Post Earl Cureton,July 21, 1988 Tennis Connors, Berger Triumph in Straight Sets at D.C. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-07-21-8802120437-story.html December 28, 2022 Sun Sentinel Briefing Tim Kempton and Brian Rowsom, and acquired Robert Reid from the Houston Rockets.July 18, 1988 Sports Digest https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/07/18/Sports-Digest/9685058106280/ December 28, 2022 United Press InternationalJuly 19, 1988 Sports People; Rockets Trade Reid https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/19/sports/sports-people-rockets-trade-reid.html December 28, 2022 The New York Times The Hornets received the eighth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Rex Chapman from the University of Kentucky,Goldaper Sam June 29, 1988 N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/29/sports/nba-draft-manning-then-3-way-trade-give-hope-to-lowly-clippers.html February 10, 2022 The New York TimesLove Ian June 29, 1988 The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best... https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/06/29/The-Los-Angeles-Clippers-gave-up-the-leagues-best/9390583560000/ December 28, 2022 United Press International1988 NBA Draft https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html December 28, 2022 Basketball-Reference and hired Dick Harter as their first ever head coach.June 3, 1988 Sports People; Hornets Hire Coach https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/03/sports/sports-people-hornets-hire-coach.html December 28, 2022 The New York TimesJune 3, 1988 Expansion Hornets Hire Harter as First Coach https://www.deseret.com/1988/6/3/18767705/expansion-hornets-hire-harter-as-first-coach December 28, 2022 Deseret News Associated Press Regular season The Hornets made their NBA regular season debut on November 4, 1988, in which the team lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home, 133–93 at the Charlotte Coliseum; Tripucka and Rambis both led the team with 16 points each.November 4, 1988 Ron Harper Contributed 22 Points and 5 Steals Friday... https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/11/04/Ron-Harper-contributed-22-points-and-5-steals-Friday/9186594622800/ December 28, 2022 United Press InternationalNovember 5, 1988 NBA's Hornets Debut with a 40-Point Loss https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/11/05/nbas-hornets-debut-with-a-40-point-loss/768dd0af-ec1c-40d6-85dc-5b3bb016f9c5/ December 28, 2022 The Washington PostCleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, November 4, 1988 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811040CHH.html December 28, 2022 Basketball-Reference After losing their first two games of the season, the Hornets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers at the Charlotte Coliseum, 117–105 on November 8; it was the team's first ever win in franchise history. Tripucka scored 24 points along with 3 steals, while Chapman scored 18 points off the bench, and Rambis had a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Howard-Cooper Scott  Clippers' 117-105 Loss Has an Extra Meaning: It's Hornets' First Win  Los Angeles Times  November 9, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-09-sp-22-story.html March 6, 2026 Associated Press  Hornets Claim 1st NBA Win  The Item  November 9, 1988  3C  https://books.google.com/books?id=WX8iAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=1988+Charlotte+Hornets+Los+Angeles+Clippers+117-105&article_id=1309,1656209&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwie_-zviIyTAxVaHNAFHY9fAk0Q6AF6BAgQEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Charlotte%20Hornets%20Los%20Angeles%20Clippers%20117-105&f=false March 6, 2026 Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, November 8, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811080CHH.html March 6, 2026 The Hornets struggled losing ten of their first twelve games of the regular season, and held an 8–19 record at the end of December. The team lost 10 of their 13 games in January, and later on held a 13–35 record at the All-Star break.NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=9&year=1989 December 28, 2022 Basketball-Reference The Hornets posted two nine-game losing streaks between February and March, and between March and April; the team lost 13 of their 16 games in March, and lost 20 of 22 games between February 28 and April 10, 1989. In March, the team signed free agents Sidney Lowe and Greg Kite; Kite was previously released by the Clippers. The Hornets finished their inaugural season in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20 wins and 62 losses.1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1989_games.html February 15, 2022 Basketball-Reference Tripucka led the Hornets in scoring averaging 22.6 points per game, while Chapman averaged 16.9 points per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Reid provided the team with 14.7 points per game. In addition, Rambis provided with 11.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while Curry contributed 11.9 points per game, but only played just 48 games due to a wrist injury,October 9, 1988 For the Record https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/10/09/for-the-record/5ae1ca46-685b-4047-9146-0537c240e54e/ December 28, 2022 The Washington PostDecember 8, 1989 Charlotte's Dell Curry Is Ignoring Trade Talk and, After an Injury-Plagued 1988-89, Is Off to His Best Start Ever; Reserve Curry Plays Key Role in Hornet Offense https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1989/12/09/westergren-charlotte39s-ignoring-trade-after-injury-plagued-start-reserve-curry-plays-hornet-offense/29519764007/ December 28, 2022 Spartanburg Herald-Journal and Holton provided with 8.3 points and 6.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Cureton averaged 6.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, Rowsom contributed 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, but only appeared in just 34 games due to injury, Hoppen provided with 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, Kempton averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and Bogues contributed 5.4 points, 7.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game.1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1989.html February 15, 2022 Basketball-Reference Tripucka 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&pg=PA11&dq=1989+NBA+Most+Improved+player+kevin+johnson&article_id=4125,91034&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwic8-SfnLqNAxWimbAFHfSTIVE4ChDoAXoECAsQAw#v=onepage&q=1989%20NBA%20Most%20Improved%20player%20kevin%20johnson&f=false May 23, 20251988–89 NBA Awards Voting https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html December 28, 2022 Basketball-Reference The Hornets led the NBA in home-game attendance, becoming the first expansion team to do so, with an attendance of 949,858 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the regular season; it was also an all-time NBA attendance record, which would be broken by one of the two next season's expansion teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves the following season. 1988–89 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989.html February 15, 2026 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the inaugural season occurred on December 23, 1988, in which the Hornets defeated All-Star guard, and former University of North Carolina star Michael Jordan, and the Chicago Bulls at the Charlotte Coliseum by a score of 103–101, in front of a sellout crowd of 23,388 fans in attendance. With the score tied at 101–101, Rambis made a game-winning layup from Reid's missed shot at the buzzer; Tripucka scored 30 points while Jordan scored 33 points along with 6 steals. Hornets Sting Bulls  Chicago Tribune  December 24, 1988  https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/12/24/hornets-sting-bulls/ March 6, 2026 Marks Brendan  How Michael Jordan, Kurt Rambis, and a Single Hornets Game "Changed Charlotte Forever"  The Charlotte Observer  December 23, 2018 https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article223406735.html March 6, 2026 Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, December 23, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198812230CHH.html March 6, 2026 Offseason Expansion draft The team's roster was filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1988. In a coin flip, the Hornets earned the right to choose either the higher choice in the college draft or the first pick in the expansion draft, picking the former.Goldaper Sam 1988-06-14 Charlotte Is Betting On College Draft https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/14/sports/charlotte-is-betting-on-college-draft.html 2008-04-25 The New York Times Most teams use such drafts to pick young players and guarantee a future, but Charlotte chose veterans in order to get a competitive lineup right away.1988-89: Charlotte Stocks Roster With Veterans https://web.archive.org/web/20100523160423/http://www.nba.com/hornets/history/history_hornets.html#2 2010-05-23 nba.com/hornets, accessed 25 April 2008. Pick Player Position Nationality Former Team2Dell CurryGuard-Forward United StatesCleveland Cavaliers4Dave HoppenCenter-Forward United StatesGolden State Warriors6Tyrone BoguesPoint Guard United StatesWashington Bullets8Mike Brownbrown aForward-center United StatesChicago Bulls10Rickey GreenPoint Guard United StatesUtah Jazz12Michael HoltonPoint Guard United StatesPortland Trail Blazers14Michael Brookswaived bSmall ForwardUnited StatesDenver Nuggets16Bernard Thompsonthompson cGuard-ForwardUnited StatesPhoenix Suns18Ralph LewisGuard-Forward United StatesDetroit Pistons20Clinton Wheelerwheeler dPoint Guard United StatesIndiana Pacers22Sedric Toneywaived bPoint Guard United StatesNew York Knicks brown Traded for Kelly Tripucka from the Utah JazzExpansion Drafts Revisited, HoopsAnalyst waived Waived before the season. thompson Traded for Robert Reid from the Houston Rockets.1988-07-19 Sports People; Rockets Trade Reid https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/19/sports/sports-people-rockets-trade-reid.html 2008-04-25 The New York Times WheelerSent to Portland Trail Blazers. Also sent were Kurt Rambis of the Los Angeles Lakers and Earl Cureton of the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA draft Subsequent to the expansion draft, the Hornets were given the eighth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft. They selected Rex Chapman, a shooting guard from the University of Kentucky. Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 8 Rex Chapman Shooting Guard United States Kentucky 2 34 Tom Tolbert Forward/center United States Arizona 3 53 Jeff Moore Power Forward United States Tennessee State Roster Charlotte Hornets 1988–89 #00778B #FFFFFF #280071 #FFFFFF 1 Muggsy Bogues G 5 3 136 1965–01–09 Wake Forest 3 Rex Chapman G 6 4 185 1967–10–05 Kentucky 25 Earl Cureton C 6 9 210 1957–09–03 Detroit Mercy 30 Dell Curry G 6 4 190 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech 6 Michael Holton G 6 4 185 1961–08–04 UCLA 42 Dave Hoppen C 6 11 235 1964–03–13 Nebraska 41 Tim Kempton F 6 10 245 1964–01–25 Notre Dame 32 Greg Kite C 6 11 250 1961–08–05 BYU 31 Kurt Rambis F 6 8 213 1958–02–25 Santa Clara 50 Robert Reid basketball F 6 8 205 1955–08–30 St. Mary's (Texas) 32 Brian Rowsom F 6 9 220 1965–10–23 UNC Wilmington 7 Kelly Tripucka F 6 6 220 1959–02–16 Notre Dame Dick Harter Ed Badger Gene Littles https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1989.html March 29, 1989 Preseason The Hornets' first official NBA game took place on October 14, 1988, at the Madison Square Garden, and was a 118–97 preseason loss to the New Jersey Nets."Charlotte Buzzing Over the Hornets" The New York Times. Regular season The Hornets played their first season in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.1988–89 Standings https://web.archive.org/web/20121025211204/http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19881989.html 2012-10-25 , nba.com/history, accessed 16 June 2007. The team's first regular season NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at the Charlotte Coliseum, and was a 133–93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets, basketball-reference.com, 4 November 1988, accessed 25 April 2008. Despite the huge loss, the Hornets received a standing ovation at the end of the game. November 8, 1988, the team won their first game over the Los Angeles Clippers, 117–105.Los Angeles Clippers 105, Charlotte Hornets 117 On December 23, 1988, the Hornets defeated Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 103–101 at the buzzer in Jordan's first return to North Carolina as a professional.Jennifer Armstrong, The Times-Picayune http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/1998_charlotte_hornets_started.html 1988 Charlotte Hornets started off with a bang, became wildly popular with their fans | NOLA.com Blog.nola.com 2012-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905123227/http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/1998_charlotte_hornets_started.html 2012-09-05 dead During the season, Kelly Tripucka led the franchise with 22.6 points per game. Despite the Hornets mostly poor play (typical for an expansion franchise), the Hornets led the NBA in attendance during the season, selling out 36 of 41 home games (including the final 30). Season standings CHH CHH z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log background:#048BA6; color:#323290 1988–89 Game Log (20–62) (Home: 12–29; Road: 8–33) y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 November (3–10) (Home: 2–4; Road: 1–6) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 1 || November 4, 1988 || Cleveland || L 93–133 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,338 || 0–1 |- | 2 || November 5, 1988 || @ Detroit || L 85–94 || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 21,454 || 0–2 |- | 3 || November 8, 1988 || L.A. Clippers || W 117–105 || Charlotte Coliseum || 18,865 || 1–2 |- | 4 || November 11, 1988 || @ Washington || L 87–96 || Capital Centre || 12,731 || 1–3 |- | 5 || November 12, 1988 || @ Atlanta || L 111–132 || The Omni || 16,155 || 1–4 |- | 6 || November 15, 1988 || New Jersey || L 99–106 || Charlotte Coliseum || 21,748 || 1–5 |- | 7 || November 17, 1988 || @ Dallas || L 93–105 || Reunion Arena || 16,512 || 1–6 |- | 8 || November 19, 1988 || @ San Antonio || W 107–105 || HemisFair Arena || 10,863 || 2–6 |- | 9 || November 22, 1988 || Detroit || L 93–99 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 2–7 |- | 10 || November 23, 1988 || @ Boston || L 109–114 || Boston Garden || 14,890 || 2–8 |- | 11 || November 25, 1988 || @ Philadelphia || L 116–123 || Spectrum || 10,588 || 2–9 |- | 12 || November 26, 1988 || Washington || L 113–120 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 2–10 |- | 13 || November 29, 1988 || Miami || W 99–84 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 3–10 |- y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 December (5–9) (Home: 5–3; Road: 0–6) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 14 || December 1, 1988 || Philadelphia || W 109–107 || Charlotte Coliseum || 21,716 || 4–10 |- | 15 || December 3, 1988 || @ Houston || L 104–108 || The Summit || 16,611 || 4–11 |- | 16 || December 9, 1988 || New Jersey || W 96–95 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 5–11 |- | 17 || December 10, 1988 || @ New Jersey || L 112–121 (OT) || Brendan Byrne Arena || || 5–12 |- | 18 || December 13, 1988 || @ Indiana || L 104–115 || Market Square Arena || || 5–13 |- | 19 || December 14, 1988 || Indiana || W 115–106 || Charlotte Coliseum || 22,601 || 6–13 |- | 20 || December 16, 1988 || Dallas || L 98–107 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 6–14 |- | 21 || December 17, 1988 || @ Detroit || L 91–100 || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 21,454 || 6–15 |- | 22 || December 20, 1988 || @ Milwaukee || L 115–125 || Bradley Center || 15,075 || 6–16 |- | 23 || December 21, 1988 || Milwaukee || L 100–112 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,010 || 6–17 |- | 24 || December 23, 1988 || Chicago || W 103–101 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 7–17 |- | 25 || December 26, 1988 || Houston || L 95–97 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 7–18 |- | 26 || December 28, 1988 || @ Cleveland || L 98–122 || Richfield Coliseum || 17,353 || 7–19 |- | 27 || December 30, 1988 || New York || W 122–111 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 8–19 |- y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 January (3–13) (Home: 1–5; Road: 2–8) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 28 || January 3, 1989 || New Jersey || L 106–109 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 8–20 |- | 29 || January 4, 1989 || @ Washington || L 86–109 || Capital Centre || || 8–21 |- | 30 || January 6, 1989 || @ Boston || L 92–115 || Boston Garden || 14,890 || 8–22 |- | 31 || January 7, 1989 || Washington || W 107–104 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 9–22 |- | 32 || January 9, 1989 || Utah || L 92–114 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 9–23 |- | 33 || January 11, 1989 || Chicago || L 101–106 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 9–24 |- | 34 || January 12, 1989 || @ New York || L 89–106 || Madison Square Garden || 16,943 || 9–25 |- | 35 || January 15, 1989 || Philadelphia || L 109–116 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 9–26 |- | 36 || January 16, 1989 || @ Philadelphia || W 127–122 (OT) || Spectrum || 10,116 || 10–26 |- | 37 || January 18, 1989 || @ Milwaukee || L 106–118 || Bradley Center || 16,145 || 10–27 |- | 38 || January 19, 1989 || Phoenix || L 112–126 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 10–28 |- | 39 || January 21, 1989 || @ Atlanta || L 113–137 || The Omni || 16,371 || 10–29 |- | 40 || January 24, 1989 || @ Phoenix || L 103–106 || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 11,089 || 10–30 |- | 41 || January 26, 1989 || @ Utah || W 89–88 || Salt Palace || 12,444 || 11–30 |- | 42 || January 27, 1989 || @ L.A. Lakers || L 97–114 || Great Western Forum || 17,505 || 11–31 |- | 43 || January 30, 1989 || @ Portland || L 118–130 || Memorial Coliseum || 12,848 || 11–32 |- y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 February (4–8) (Home: 4–5; Road: 0–3) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 44 || February 1, 1989 || Boston || L 94–107 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 11–33 |- | 45 || February 3, 1989 || Seattle || W 108–106 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 12–33 |- | 46 || February 5, 1989 || Cleveland || L 91–110 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 12–34 |- | 47 || February 7, 1989 || @ Chicago || L 93–118 || Chicago Stadium || 17,385 || 12–35 |- | 48 || February 9, 1989 || Atlanta || W 110–108 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 13–35 |- | 49 || February 14, 1989 || New York || L 117–129 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 13–36 |- | 50 || February 17, 1989 || @ Miami || L 102–103 || Miami Arena || 15,008 || 13–37 |- | 51 || February 18, 1989 || Indiana || W 119–114 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 14–37 |- | 52 || February 22, 1989 || Chicago || L 102–130 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 14–38 |- | 53 || February 23, 1989 || @ New York || L 114–139 || Madison Square Garden || 16,130 || 14–39 |- | 54 || February 25, 1989 || San Antonio || W 124–113 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 15–39 |- | 55 || February 28, 1989 || Boston || L 87–112 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 15–40 |- y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 March (2–13) (Home: 0–7; Road: 2–6) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 56 || March 2, 1989 || @ New Jersey || L 103–114 || Brendan Byrne Arena || || 15–41 |- | 57 || March 3, 1989 || @ Atlanta || L 109–133 || The Omni || 16,371 || 15–42 |- | 58 || March 5, 1989 || @ Washington || L 101–114 || Capital Centre || 6,661 || 15–43 |- | 59 || March 8, 1989 || Denver || L 99–112 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 15–44 |- | 60 || March 10, 1989 || L.A. Lakers || L 90–123 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 15–45 |- | 61 || March 12, 1989 || Sacramento || L 105–114 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 15–46 |- | 62 || March 14, 1989 || @ Denver || L 102–125 || McNichols Sports Arena || 10,522 || 15–47 |- | 63 || March 16, 1989 || @ Seattle || L 88–108 || Seattle Center Coliseum || || 15–48 |- | 64 || March 17, 1989 || @ L.A. Clippers || W 108–105 || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena || 10,758 || 16–48 |- | 65 || March 19, 1989 || @ Golden State || L 117–124 || Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena || 15,025 || 16–49 |- | 66 || March 20, 1989 || @ Sacramento || W 117–110 || ARCO Arena || 16,517 || 17–49 |- | 67 || March 23, 1989 || Washington || L 97–102 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–50 |- | 68 || March 25, 1989 || Detroit || L 101–113 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–51 |- | 69 || March 27, 1989 || New York || L 105–121 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–52 |- | 70 || March 30, 1989 || Golden State || L 104–113 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–53 |- y background:#323290; color:#048BA6 April (3–9) (Home: 0–5; Road: 3–4) Game Date Opponent Score Location Attendance Record |- | 71 || April 1, 1989 || Portland || L 121–125 (OT) || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–54 |- | 72 || April 4, 1989 || @ Chicago || L 101–121 || Chicago Stadium || 17,578 || 17–55 |- | 73 || April 7, 1989 || Philadelphia || L 108–118 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–56 |- | 74 || April 9, 1989 || @ Cleveland || L 116–122 || Richfield Coliseum || 19,276 || 17–57 |- | 75 || April 10, 1989 || Atlanta || L 105–112 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 17–58 |- | 76 || April 12, 1989 || @ New York || W 104–99 || Madison Square Garden || 18,385 || 18–58 |- | 77 || April 14, 1989 || @ Philadelphia || W 119–115 || Spectrum || 14,321 || 19–58 |- | 78 || April 15, 1989 || @ Indiana || L 105–115 || Market Square Arena || 11,860 || 19–59 |- | 79 || April 17, 1989 || Boston || L 108–113 (OT) || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 19–60 |- | 80 || April 18, 1989 || @ New Jersey || W 121–105 || Brendan Byrne Arena || || 20–60 |- | 81 || April 21, 1989 || Milwaukee || L 110–117 || Charlotte Coliseum || 23,388 || 20–61 |- | 82 || April 23, 1989 || @ Boston || L 110–120 || Boston Garden || 14,890 || 20–62 |- |- | 1988-89 Schedule Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameRobert Reid basketballSF82 54 2,152 302 153 53 20 1,207 26.2 3.7 1.9 .6 .2 14.7Earl CuretonC82 41 2,047 488 130 50 61 532 25.0 6.0 1.6 .6 .7 6.5Muggsy BoguesPG 79 21 1,755 165 620 111 7 423 22.2 2.1 7.8 1.4 .1 5.4Tim KemptonPF 79 0 1,341 304 102 41 14 484 17.0 3.8 1.3 .5 .2 6.1Dave HoppenC 77 36 1,419 384 57 25 21 500 18.4 5.0 .7 .3 .3 6.5Kurt RambisPF 75 75 2,233 703 159 100 57 832 29.8 9.4 2.1 1.3 .8 11.1Rex ChapmanSG 75 44 2,219 187 176 70 25 1,267 29.6 2.5 2.3 .9 .3 16.9Kelly TripuckaSF 71 65 2,302 267 224 88 16 1,606 32.4 3.8 3.2 1.2 .2 22.6Michael HoltonPG 67 60 1,696 105 424 66 12 553 25.3 1.6 6.3 1.0 .2 8.3Dell CurrySG 48 0 813 104 50 42 4 571 16.9 2.2 1.0 .9 .1 11.9Ralph Lewis basketballSF 42 0 336 61 15 11 3 136 8.0 1.5 .4 .3 .1 3.2Brian RowsomPF 34 0 517 137 24 10 12 226 15.2 4.0 .7 .3 .4 6.6Rickey Green†PG 33 2 370 23 82 18 0 128 11.2 .7 2.5 .5 .0 3.9Sidney LoweSG 14 0 250 34 93 14 0 23 17.9 2.4 6.6 1.0 .0 1.6Tom TolbertSF 14 0 117 21 7 2 4 40 8.4 1.5 .5 .1 .3 2.9Greg Kite†C 12 12 213 53 7 4 8 38 17.8 4.4 .6 .3 .7 3.2 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only. Awards and records Rex Chapman, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Transactions July 1, 1988 Released Clinton Wheeler. July 18, 1988 Signed Earl Cureton as a free agent. Traded Bernard Thompson to the Houston Rockets for Robert Reid and a 1990 2nd round draft pick (Steve Scheffler was later selected). July 28, 1988 Signed Kurt Rambis as an unrestricted free agent. August 17, 1988 Signed Tim Kempton as a free agent. October 6, 1988 Signed Brian Rowsom as a free agent. October 17, 1988 Released Sedric Toney. December 30, 1988 Waived Tom Tolbert. February 22, 1989 Waived Rickey Green. March 27, 1989 Signed Sidney Lowe to the first of two 10-day contracts. March 29, 1989 Signed Greg Kite to a contract for the rest of the season. Waived Ralph Lewis. Player Transactions Citation: 1988–89 Charlotte Hornets Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1989_transactions.html February 10, 2022 References External links Expansion Draft Details Category:Charlotte Hornets seasons Char Category:1988 in sports in North Carolina Category:1989 in sports in North Carolina Category:1980s in Charlotte, North Carolina