1987–88 Los Angeles Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Los Angeles Clippers 1988 17 65 Pacific 6 12 Gene Shue Elgin Baylor Donald Sterling Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena KTLA(Ralph Lawler, Junior Bridgeman) KIIS(Pete Arbogast) Did not qualify LAC The 1987–88 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 18th season for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association, and their fourth season in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Clippers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season After finishing with a dreadful 12–70 record the previous season, the Clippers received the fourth overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected small forward Reggie Williams out of Georgetown University; the team also selected center Joe Wolf from the University of North Carolina with the 13th overall pick, and selected small forward Ken Norman from the University of Illinois with the 19th overall pick. 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 April 3, 2026 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 April 3, 2026 1987 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1987.html April 3, 2026 During the off-season, the team hired Gene Shue as their new head coach. Associated Press  Shue Hired to Turn Around Lowly Clippers  The Victoria Advocate  May 22, 1987  B  https://books.google.com/books?id=OZ9jAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=1987+Los+Angeles+Clippers+hired+head+coach+gene+shue&article_id=4887,5336367&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwio3NmUuLmVAxUuSzABHctuEkkQ6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q=1987%20Los%20Angeles%20Clippers%20hired%20head%20coach%20gene%20shue&f=false July 4, 2026 Baker Chris  Odds for Once Favor Clippers, Who Have 3 Picks in First Round  Los Angeles Times  June 22, 1987  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-22-sp-5082-story.html July 4, 2026 However, prior to the regular season, Norm Nixon ruptured his Achilles tendon in his right ankle during practice, and would miss the entire season for the second year in a row. Sports People: Nixon Injured Again  The New York Times  November 5, 1987  https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/05/sports/sports-people-nixon-injured-again.html October 13, 2026 Baker Chris  Nixon, Clippers Get Another Setback: He Tears Achilles' Tendon and Is Lost for Second Season in Row  Los Angeles Times  November 5, 1987  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-05-sp-18890-story.html October 13, 2026 For the season, the Clippers redesigned their home and road uniforms, adding a blue, white and red trim; the white home uniforms featured red side panels with white and blue outlines on their jerseys and shorts, while the road uniforms were changed from blue to red, and featured white side panels with red and blue outlines. Los Angeles Clippers Home Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/k2uv0htjj5tsjfa77hihb5aa1/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Logo/1988/Home-Uniform August 11, 2026 Los Angeles Clippers Road Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/lfpa6u89gdgqqu393zk6gv88h/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Logo/1988/Road-Uniform August 11, 2026 The team's new home uniforms would remain in use until 1989, while the new road uniforms only lasted for just one season, where they would change the jersey number from blue to white the following season. Regular season Under Shue and with the addition of Williams, Wolf and Norman, the Clippers got off to an 8–12 start to the regular season, but then posted an 11-game losing streak between December and January afterwards, and later on held a 10–32 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 April 3, 2026 In February, the team signed free agent Greg Kite, who was previously released by the Boston Celtics, and later on signed rookie small forward Eric White in March. Baker Chris  Greg Kite Claimed by Clippers from the Celtics on Waivers  Los Angeles Times  February 4, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-04-sp-40650-story.html July 4, 2026 Times Staff and Wire Service Reports  In Brief: White Rejoins Clippers, for 10 Days  Los Angeles Times  February 3, 1989  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-03-sp-2232-story.html July 4, 2026 The team posted two seven-game losing streaks between January and February, then posted a 10-game losing streak in March, and lost their final seven games of the season. The Clippers finished in last place in the Pacific Division with a league-worst 17–65 record, 1987–88 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1988_games.html April 3, 2026 and missed the NBA playoffs for the twelfth consecutive year. Mike Woodson averaged 18.0 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while Michael Cage averaged 14.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and Quintin Dailey contributed 13.4 points per game. In addition, Benoit Benjamin provided the team with 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, while White provided with 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 17 games, Williams contributed 10.4 points per game, but only played just 35 games due to knee injuries, Baker Chris  Clippers Let the Rockets Slip Away in Third Quarter  Los Angeles Times  February 13, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-13-sp-10702-story.html July 4, 2026 Baker Chris  Clippers Waive Guard Lancaster Gordon  Los Angeles Times  February 27, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-27-sp-12082-story.html July 4, 2026 Baker Chris  Clippers' 20-Point Lead Evaporates Into 97-93 Loss  Los Angeles Times  March 10, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-10-sp-1084-story.html July 4, 2026 and Larry Drew averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Norman averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, Wolf provided with 7.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but only appeared in just 42 games due to a right knee injury, Associated Press  Wolf Undergoes Surgery  Times-News  December 12, 1987  16  https://books.google.com/books?id=KnU0AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1987+Los+Angeles+Clippers+joe+wolf+knee+injury&article_id=5050,3447068&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3ocizt7mVAxXXmbAFHeVvJSYQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false July 4, 2026 Baker Chris  Clippers Open a 7-Game Trip Against Knicks  Los Angeles Times  January 1, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-01-sp-8228-story.html July 4, 2026 Darnell Valentine contributed 7.1 points, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, Kite averaged 5.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in 40 games, and Earl Cureton provided with 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. 1987–88 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1988.html April 3, 2026 The Clippers finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 345,589 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the regular season, which was the second-lowest in the league. 1987–88 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1988.html April 3, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Woodson signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets, Associated Press Former Clipper Woodson Signs with Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney Los Angeles Times July 20, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-20-sp-6113-story.html April 3, 2026 Luna Richard Guard Mike Woodson, Who Led the Los Angeles Clippers... United Press International July 20, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/07/20/Guard-Mike-Woodson-who-led-the-Los-Angeles-Clippers/1086585374400/ April 3, 2026 Cooper Barry 1. Atlanta Hawks Orlando Sentinel November 4, 1988 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-11-04-0080130026-story.html April 3, 2026 while Cage was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics on draft day, 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 April 3, 2026 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 April 3, 2026 Love Ian The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best... United Press International June 29, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/06/29/The-Los-Angeles-Clippers-gave-up-the-leagues-best/9390583560000/ April 3, 2026 and Drew left to play overseas in Italy. Sports People: Basketball: Drew Joins Lakers  The New York Times  August 5, 1989  https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/05/sports/sports-people-basketball-drew-joins-lakers.html April 3, 2026 Meanwhile, Valentine was left unprotected in the 1988 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Miami Heat expansion team, who then traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 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 April 3, 2026 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 April 3, 2026 1988 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988_expansion.html April 3, 2026 Cureton signed with the Charlotte Hornets expansion team, Tennis Connors, Berger Triumph in Straight Sets at D.C.  Sun Sentinel  July 21, 1988  https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1988/07/21/tennis-connors-berger-triumph-in-straight-sets-at-dc/ July 4, 2026 and White was released to free agency. Draft picks 1987 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 4 Reggie Williams SF/SG Georgetown 1 13 Joe Wolf C/PF North Carolina 1 19 Ken Norman SF Illinois 2 38 Norris Coleman F Kansas State 3 47 Tim McCalister G Oklahoma 5 93 Chad Kessler F Georgia 6 116 Martin Nessley C Duke 7 139 Henry Carr F Wichita State Roster Los Angeles Clippers 1987–88 #D60032 white #013FA5 white 00 Benoit Benjamin C 7 0 250 Creighton 15 Steve Burtt G 6 2 195 Iona 44 Michael Cage F/C 6 9 235 San Diego State 25 Earl Cureton F 6 9 215 Detroit 20 Quintin Dailey G 6 3 180 University of San Francisco 22 Larry Drew G 6 2 190 Missouri 43 Claude Gregory F 6 9 235 Wisconsin 32 Greg Kite C 6 11 250 BYU 10 Norm Nixon G 6 2 170 Duquesne yes IN 33 Ken Norman F 6 8 215 Illinois 1 Darnell Valentine G 6 1 183 Kansas 31 Eric White basketball F 6 8 200 Pepperdine 34 Reggie Williams basketball, born 1964 F 6 7 190 Georgetown 24 Joe Wolf C 6 11 230 North Carolina 42 Mike Woodson G 6 5 198 Indiana Gene Shue Don Casey Roster notes Point guard Larry Drew would later on serve as an assistant coach for the Clippers. This was shooting guard Kenny Fields' second tour of duty with the franchise after playing the first few months of the season in the CBA; he previously played for the team last season. Point guard Norm Nixon was on the injured reserve list due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right ankle, and missed the entire regular season. Shooting guard Mike Woodson would later on serve as an assistant coach for the Clippers from 2014 to 2018. Regular season Season standings LAC LAC z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Los Angeles Clippers #D60032 #FFFFFF 1988 Total: 17–65 (Home: 14–27; Road: 3–38) Los Angeles Clippers November yes #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 4 | November 12, 19877:30 pm PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 82–111 | | | | The Forum15,569 | 1–3 Los Angeles Clippers December #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 21 | December 19, 19877:30 pm PST | L.A. Lakers | L 97–108 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena14,417 | 8–13 Los Angeles Clippers January #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 32 | January 13, 19887:30 pm PST | L.A. Lakers | W 110–109 (OT) | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena14,906 | 9–23 Los Angeles Clippers February #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 42 | February 4, 19887:30 pm PST | L.A. Lakers | L 86–117 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena15,371 | 10–32 |- | 47 | February 16, 19887:30 pm PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 100–119 | | | | The Forum17,505 | 11–36 Los Angeles Clippers March #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 54 | March 2, 19884:30 pm PST | @ Detroit | L 90–103 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome16,554 | 12–42 |- | 68 | March 28, 19887:30 pm PST | Detroit | W 102–100 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena12,156 | 15–53 Los Angeles Clippers April #013FA5 #FFFFFF 0 0 0 0 |- | 74 | April 8, 19887:30 pm PDT | @ L.A. Lakers | L 107–126 | | | | The Forum17,505 | 16–58 LAC 1988 Player statistics Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPG Benjamin, Benoit Benoit Benjamin Burtt, Steve Steve Burtt Cage, Michael Michael Cage Coleman, Norris Norris Coleman Cureton, Earl Earl Cureton Dailey, Quintin Quintin Dailey Drew, Larry Larry Drew Fields, Kenny Kenny Fields Gordon, Lancaster Lancaster Gordon Gregory, Claude Claude Gregory Kite, Greg Greg Kite Murphy, Tod Tod Murphy Nessley, Martin Martin Nessley Norman, Ken Ken Norman Phelps, Mike Mike Phelps Valentine, Darnell Darnell Valentine White, Eric Eric White Williams, Reggie Reggie Williams Wolf, Joe Joe Wolf Woodson, Mike Mike Woodson Awards, records and milestones Awards Forward/center Michael Cage led the league in rebounding (13.0 rpg) Transactions The Clippers were involved in the following transactions during the 1987–88 season. Trades No trades occurred for this team. Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Subtractions Player Left New team References Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons Los Angeles Clippers