1988–89 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1989 42 40 atlantic 3 8 Jimmy Rodgers Boston GardenHartford Civic Center Jan Volk Red Auerbach Don GastonAlan N. CohenPaul Dupee WLVI(Gil Santos, Bob Cousy)SportsChannel New England(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) WEEI(Johnny Most, Glenn Ordway) First round(lost to Pistons 0–3) BOS The 1988–89 Boston Celtics season was the 43rd season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season After the resignation of K.C. Jones, the Celtics hired assistant coach Jimmy Rodgers as their new head coach. Berger Jerry Boston Celtics Coach K.C. Jones Said Tuesday, He Will... United Press International May 3, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/03/Boston-Celtics-Coach-KC-Jones-said-Tuesday-he-will/7532578635200/ February 25, 2024 Associated Press K. C. Jones to Retire as Coach The New York Times May 4, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/04/sports/k-c-jones-to-retire-as-coach.html February 12, 2022 Cart Julie A Celtic Crossroad: After 16 Years as an Assistant, Rodgers Lands Job He Wanted Most Los Angeles Times November 25, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-25-sp-205-story.html December 20, 2022 The team had the 24th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Brian Shaw from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Weil Mike The Los Angeles Clippers Today Attained Some of the... United Press International June 28, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/06/28/The-Los-Angeles-Clippers-today-attained-some-of-the/3296583473600/ August 4, 2025 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 August 4, 2025 1988 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html August 4, 2025 Regular season This season was severely hindered by the loss of All-Star forward Larry Bird to a heel injury, which required surgery to have bone spurs removed from both heels; Bird only played just six early-regular season games for the Celtics before being lost to injury, averaging 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, without any three-point field-goal attempts. Justice Richard Bird Opts for Surgery on Heels Now The Washington Post November 18, 1988 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/11/18/bird-opts-for-surgery-on-heels-now/80542673-676a-4774-8995-27aa563602b5/ December 20, 2022 Thomas Jr. Robert Mcg. Surgery for Bird The New York Times November 20, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/20/sports/surgery-for-bird.html December 25, 2022 McCallum Jack The Bird Is Grounded: The Struggling Celtics Have Lost Larry Bird to Bone Spurs Until at Least March Sports Illustrated Vault November 28, 1988 https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/11/28/the-bird-is-grounded-the-struggling-celtics-have-lost-larry-bird-to-bone-spurs-until-at-least-march February 25, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20210123093301/https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/11/28/the-bird-is-grounded-the-struggling-celtics-have-lost-larry-bird-to-bone-spurs-until-at-least-march January 23, 2021 dead Initially, Bird was expected to be back in March, but it was delayed and ultimately became a season-ending injury. Associated Press Bird's Back, But Celtic Fans Still Have a Wait Los Angeles Times February 28, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-28-sp-740-story.html December 25, 2022 Waterman Frederick Larry Bird's Return from Foot Surgery Suffered Another Delay... United Press International March 10, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/03/10/Larry-Birds-return-from-foot-surgery-suffered-another-delay/8383605509200/ February 25, 2024 Brown Clifton Bird's Status Is Still to Be Decided The New York Times April 26, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/26/sports/bird-s-status-is-still-to-be-decided.html February 12, 2022 Under Rodgers and without Bird, along with the addition of Shaw, the Celtics struggled and played around .500 in winning percentage, holding a 23–23 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 At mid-season, the team traded Danny Ainge, and second-year forward Brad Lohaus to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Ed Pinckney, and Joe Kleine. The Boston Celtics traded Guard Danny Ainge and Second-Year... United Press International February 23, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/02/23/The-Boston-Celtics-traded-guard-Danny-Ainge-and-second-year/2416604213200/ June 20, 2023 Thomas Jr. Robert Mcg. Basketball: Knicks, in a Surprise, Get Vandeweghe; Celtics Trade Ainge The New York Times February 24, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/24/sports/basketball-knicks-in-a-surprise-get-vandeweghe-celtics-trade-ainge.html February 12, 2022 Cotton Anthony Several Teams Make Moves Before Trading Deadline The Washington Post February 25, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/02/25/several-teams-make-moves-before-trading-deadline/60c61512-0dea-4d50-b52f-b4dab54c48c0/ December 6, 2022 Before the trade, Ainge averaged 15.9 points and 4.8 assists per game in 45 games, while Lohaus provided with 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 48 games. The results were dramatic as the Celtics finished in third place in the Atlantic Division with a mediocre 42–40 record, and earned the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, clinching an NBA playoff spot in the final game of the regular season. 1988–89 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1989_games.html February 10, 2022 Before this season, the Celtics averaged over 60 wins per season thus far in the 1980s, and had been the Eastern Conference's first seed for five consecutive seasons. Kevin McHale averaged 22.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Robert Parish averaged 18.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and second-year guard Reggie Lewis showed improvement becoming the Celtics' starting small forward in Bird's absence, as he provided the team with 18.5 points and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Pinckney provided with 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 29 games after the trade, while Dennis Johnson contributed 10.0 points, 6.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Shaw averaged 8.6 points and 5.8 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Meanwhile, Jim Paxson contributed 8.6 points per game, and Kleine averaged 6.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 28 games. 1988–89 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1989.html February 10, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, McHale 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 13, 2022 while before the mid-season trade, Ainge participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout. 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 Parish finished tied in eleventh place in Most Valuable Player voting, NBA MVP Voting The Victoria Advocate May 23, 1989 3B https://books.google.com/books?id=gDZSAAAAIBAJ&dq=1989+NBA+MVP+Voting&pg=PA8&article_id=6778,4982033 May 23, 2025 1988–89 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html February 14, 2022 while Lewis finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns. Times Wire Services In Brief: Suns' Johnson "Most Improved" Los Angeles Times May 15, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-15-sp-287-story.html December 27, 2022 The Celtics posted a successful 32–9 home record at the Boston Garden, but struggled on the road, failing to record a road win over a team above .500 in winning percentage. The Celtics finished 13th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 611,537 at the Boston Garden 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, and for the third consecutive year, and the fourth time in five seasons, the Celtics faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer. The Pistons were heavily favored, but hope arose for a competitive series when the Celtics activated Bird for their playoff roster; however, Bird never suited up for a game, as the Celtics lost the first two games to the Pistons on the road at The Palace of Auburn Hills, before losing Game 3 at home, 100–85 at the Boston Garden, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Gold Allan R. Pistons' Defense Smothers Celtics' Season The New York Times May 3, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/03/sports/pistons-defense-smothers-celtics-season.html December 6, 2022 Aldridge David Pistons Finish Sweep of Celtics The Washington Post May 3, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/05/03/pistons-finish-sweep-of-celtics/41be3657-a638-45ef-a48a-f59fcb61ece9/ December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-celtics-vs-pistons.html March 20, 2023 This was the first time since 1956 that the Celtics lost their opening round playoff series; the Celtics had won their previous 28 opening round playoff series dating back to 1957. The Pistons would advance to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, and defeat the 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship. Goldaper Sam Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers The New York Times June 14, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/14/sports/pistons-earn-first-title-by-sweeping-lakers.html December 6, 2022 McManis Sam Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97 Los Angeles Times June 14, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-14-sp-2097-story.html December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-finals-lakers-vs-pistons.html March 20, 2023 Draft picks 1988 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 24 Brian Shaw SG United States UCSB 3 74 Gerald Paddio SF/SG United States UNLV Roster Boston Celtics 1988–89 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 42 Mark Acres C 6 11 220 Oral Roberts University 1962–11–15 33 Larry Bird F 6 9 220 Indiana State University 1956–12–07 12 Otis Birdsong G 6 3 190 Houston 1955–12–09 34 Kevin Gamble G/F 6 5 210 Iowa 1965–11–13 31 Ron Grandison Ronnie Grandison PF 6 6 215 New Orleans 1964–07–06 3 Dennis Johnson G 6 4 185 Pepperdine 1954–09–08 53 Joe Kleine C 6 11 255 Arkansas 1962–01–04 35 Reggie Lewis G/F 6 7 195 Northeastern 1965–11–21 32 Kevin McHale basketball F 6 10 210 Minnesota 1957–12–19 00 Robert Parish C 7 0 230 Centenary College of Louisiana 1953–09–30 4 Jim Paxson G 6 6 200 Dayton 1957–07–09 54 Ed Pinckney F 6 9 195 Villanova 1963–03–27 45 Ramón Rivas C 6 10 260 Temple 1966–06–03 20 Brian Shaw basketball G 6 6 190 UC Santa Barbara 1966–03–22 7 Kelvin Upshaw G 6 2 180 Utah 1963–01–12 Jimmy Rodgers Chris Ford Lanny Van Eman Roster Notes Small forward Larry Bird played 6 games but missed the majority of the season after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from both of his heels. Regular season Season standings BOS BOS Game log Regular season Boston Celtics #006400 #FFFFFF 1989 Total: 42–40 (home: 32–9; Away: 10–31) Boston Celtics November yes #FFFFFF #006400 6 3 2 4 Boston Celtics December #FFFFFF #006400 4 2 1 5 Boston Celtics January #FFFFFF #006400 6 2 1 6 Boston Celtics February #FFFFFF #006400 3 1 3 6 Boston Celtics March #FFFFFF #006400 10 0 1 4 Boston Celtics April #FFFFFF #006400 3 1 2 6 BOS 1989 Playoffs Boston Celtics 1989 yes #006400 #FFFFFF Boston Celtics #008040 white First round yes yes no 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 28 | @ Detroit | L 91–101 | Kevin McHale (27) | Robert Parish (12) | Brian Shaw (8) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 30 | @ Detroit | L 95–102 | Reggie Lewis (21) | Kevin McHale (11) | Lewis, Johnson (5) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 2 | Detroit | L 85–100 | Reggie Lewis (20) | Joe Kleine (11) | Brian Shaw (7) | Boston Garden14,890 | 0–3 |- BOS yes 1989 Player statistics Season Playoffs Awards and records The Celtics would win the 1988 McDonald's Open after winning games against the Yugoslavia national basketball team and Spain's Real Madrid Baloncesto. Season Robert Parish was named to the All-NBA Third Team Kevin McHale was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team Brian Shaw was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Transactions February 23, 1989: Danny Ainge was traded with Brad Lohaus to Sacramento Kings for Joe Kleine & Ed Pinckney. See also 1988–89 NBA season References Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics