1987–88 Indiana Pacers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Indiana Pacers 1988 38 44 Central 6 9 Jack Ramsay Donnie Walsh Herbert Simon Market Square Arena Did not qualify IND WTTV(Eddie Doucette, Dick Vitale) WNDE(Mike Inglis, Clark Kellogg) The 1987–88 Indiana Pacers season was the 12th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 21st season as a franchise. Indiana Pacers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season This season was most memorable as the Pacers had the eleventh overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Reggie Miller from the University of California, Los Angeles. 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 March 29, 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 March 29, 2026 1987 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1987.html March 29, 2026 During the off-season, the team acquired second-year guard Scott Skiles from the Milwaukee Bucks. Herman Steve  Skiles to "Scream for Joy"  The Madison Courier  June 23, 1987  B  https://books.google.com/books?id=JndjAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=1987+Milwaukee+Bucks+traded+scott+skiles+to+the+Indiana+Pacers&article_id=5112,4049590&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwikj_We28WTAxUCmYkEHTbZEocQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=1987%20Milwaukee%20Bucks%20traded%20scott%20skiles%20to%20the%20Indiana%20Pacers&f=false March 29, 2026 Skiles Says Problems Behind Him  Los Angeles Times  July 21, 1987  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-21-sp-5235-story.html March 29, 2026 Regular season With the addition of Miller, the Pacers got off to an 11–7 start to the regular season, and played around .500 in winning percentage, holding a 22–22 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 March 29, 2026 The team posted a seven-game winning streak in February, but then lost ten of their next twelve games, finishing in last place in the Central Division, and ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 38–44 record. 1987–88 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1988_games.html March 29, 2026 The Pacers lost a tie-breaker for the final NBA playoff spot to the 7th–seeded Washington Bullets, and the 8th–seeded New York Knicks, who both finished with the same record. In their final game of the regular season on April 23, 1988, the Pacers lost to the Knicks at home, 88–86 at the Market Square Arena. Goldaper Sam  Knicks Edge Into Playoffs  The New York Times  April 24, 1988  https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/24/sports/knicks-edge-into-playoffs.html March 29, 2026 Slater Jim  The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers Battled to...  United Press International  April 24, 1988  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/04/24/The-New-York-Knicks-and-Indiana-Pacers-battled-to/9654577857600/ March 29, 2026 New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers Box Score, April 23, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198804230IND.html March 29, 2026 Second-year star Chuck Person averaged 17.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while Wayman Tisdale averaged 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and Vern Fleming provided the team with 13.9 points, 7.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game. In addition, Steve Stipanovich provided with 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while John Long contributed 12.8 points per game. Off the bench, Miller averaged 10.0 points per game, while Herb Williams averaged 10.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, Ron Anderson contributed 7.3 points per game, Skiles provided with 4.4 points and 3.5 assists per game, but only played 51 games due to a right knee injury, Basketball  The Blade  January 1, 1988  34  https://books.google.com/books?id=n6VYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA18&dq=1988+Indiana+Pacers+scott+skiles+knee+injury&article_id=4538,2454963&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWuo274OiTAxVt5ckDHVDpCSYQ6AF6BAgQEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Indiana%20Pacers%20scott%20skiles%20knee%20injury&f=false April 12, 2026 Sports Digest  United Press International  January 29, 1988  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/01/29/Sports-Digest/8627570430800/ April 12, 2026 and Stuart Gray averaged 3.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. 1987–88 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1988.html March 29, 2026 The Pacers finished 14th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 502,244 at the Market Square Arena during the regular season. 1987–88 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1988.html March 29, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Anderson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. 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 March 29, 2026 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 March 29, 2026 Offseason Draft picks 1987 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 11 Reggie Miller SG UCLA 2 34 Brian Rowsom PF UNC Wilmington Roster Indiana Pacers 1987–88 #2C3294 #FFFFFF #fcc624 #2C3294 15 Ron Anderson basketball, born 1958 F 6 7 215 1958–10–15 California State University, Fresno 54 Greg Dreiling C 7 1 250 1962–11–07 University of Kansas 10 Vern Fleming G 6 5 185 1962–02–04 University of Georgia 55 Stuart Gray basketball C 7 0 235 1963–05–27 University of California, Los Angeles 25 John Long basketball, born 1956 G 6 5 195 1956–08–28 University of Detroit Mercy 31 Reggie Miller G 6 7 185 1965–08–24 UCLA 45 Chuck Person F 6 8 220 1964–06–27 Auburn University 24 Brian Rowsom F 6 9 220 1965–10–23 UNC Wilmington 3 Scott Skiles G 6 1 180 1964–03–05 Michigan State University 40 Steve Stipanovich C 6 11 245 1960–11–17 Missouri 23 Wayman Tisdale F 6 9 240 1964–06–09 Oklahoma 5 Clinton Wheeler G 6 1 185 1959–10–27 William Paterson 32 Herb Williams C 6 10 242 1958–02–16 Ohio State Jack Ramsay Mel Daniels Dick Harter Dave Twardzik https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1988.html March 4, 1988 Regular season Season standings IND IND z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Record vs. opponents vs. Eastern Conference vs. Atlantic Division 1987–88 NBA recordsTeamBOSNJNNYKPHIWSBTotal Atlanta 2–4 5–0 3–3 6–0 3–3 19–10 Chicago 3–3 5–1 3–2 4–2 3–3 18–11 Cleveland 3–2 5–1 2–4 3–2 6–0 19–9 Detroit 3–3 5–1 4–2 4–1 3–2 19–9 Indiana 0–5 6–0 2–3 2–4 2–4 12–16 Milwaukee 3–3 3–2 3–3 2–4 4–1 15–13 vs. Central Division 1987–88 NBA recordsTeamATLCHICLEDETINDMILTotal Atlanta — 2–3 5–1 2–4 3–3 4–2 16–13 Chicago 3–2 — 3–3 2–4 3–3 5–1 16–13 Cleveland 1–5 3–3 — 1–5 4–2 2–4 11–19 Detroit 4–2 4–2 5–1 — 3–3 4–2 20–10 Indiana 2–4 3–3 2–4 3–3 — 3–3 13–17 Milwaukee 3–3 1–5 4–2 2–4 3–3 — 13–17 vs. Western Conference vs. Midwest Division 1987–88 NBA recordsTeamDALDENHOUSACSASUTATotal Atlanta 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 8–4 Chicago 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 7–5 Cleveland 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 7–5 Detroit 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 8–4 Indiana 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 6–6 Milwaukee 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 5–7 vs. Pacific Division 1987–88 NBA recordsTeamGSWLACLALPHOPORSEATotal Atlanta 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 7–5 Chicago 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 9–3 Cleveland 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–7 Detroit 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 7–5 Indiana 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 7–5 Milwaukee 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 9–3 Game log Regular season Indiana Pacers #000080 #FFD700 1988 Total: 38–44 (Home: 25–16; Road: 13–28) Indiana Pacers November yes #FFD700 #000080 0 0 0 0 |- | 3 | November 10, 19877:30 PM EST | Detroit | W 121–118 | | | | Market Square Arena11,885 | 2–1 Indiana Pacers December #FFD700 #800080 0 0 0 0 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 26 | December 30, 19877:30 PM EST | Detroit | L 95–105 | | | | Market Square Arena12,945 | 13–13 Indiana Pacers January #FFD700 #800080 0 0 0 0 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 30 | January 9, 19887:30 PM EST | L.A. Lakers | L 98–101 | | | | Market Square Arena16,912 | 15–15 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 40 | January 27, 19887:30 PM EST | @ Detroit | L 86–103 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome19,801 | 20–20 Indiana Pacers February #FFD700 #800080 0 0 0 0 |- | 45 | February 9, 198810:30 PM EST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 110–108 | | | | The Forum17,505 | 23–22 Indiana Pacers March #FFD700 #800080 0 0 0 0 |- | 59 | March 8, 19887:30 PM EST | Detroit | W 117–104 | | | | Market Square Arena13,220 | 30–29 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 66 | March 22, 19887:30 PM EST | @ Detroit | L 104–123 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome18,645 | 32–34 Indiana Pacers April #FFD700 #800080 0 0 0 0 |- | 81 | April 22, 19887:30 PM EST | @ Detroit | W 103–98 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome27,881 | 38–43 IND 1988 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 gameReggie MillerSG82 1 1,840 190 132 53 19 822 22.4 2.3 1.6 .6 .2 10.0John Long basketball playerSG 81 81 2,022 229 173 84 11 1,034 25.0 2.8 2.1 1.0 .1 12.8Vern FlemingPG 80 80 2,733 364 568 115 11 1,111 34.2 4.6 7.1 1.4 .1 13.9Steve StipanovichC 80 80 2,692 662 183 90 69 1,079 33.7 8.3 2.3 1.1 .9 13.5Chuck PersonSF 79 71 2,807 536 309 73 8 1,341 35.5 6.8 3.9 .9 .1 17.0Wayman TisdalePF 79 57 2,378 491 103 54 34 1,268 30.1 6.2 1.3 .7 .4 16.1Herb WilliamsC 75 37 1,966 469 98 37 146 748 26.2 6.3 1.3 .5 1.9 10.0Ron Anderson basketball, born 1958SF 74 1 1,097 216 78 41 6 542 14.8 2.9 1.1 .6 .1 7.3Stuart Gray basketballC 74 0 807 250 44 11 32 224 10.9 3.4 .6 .1 .4 3.0Clinton WheelerPG 59 0 513 40 103 36 2 149 8.7 .7 1.7 .6 .0 2.5Scott SkilesPG 51 2 760 66 180 22 3 223 14.9 1.3 3.5 .4 .1 4.4Greg DreilingC 20 0 74 17 5 2 4 34 3.7 .9 .3 .1 .2 1.7Brian RowsomPF 4 0 16 5 1 1 0 6 4.0 1.3 .3 .3 .0 1.5 References See also 1987-88 NBA season Category:Indiana Pacers seasons Indiana Indiana Indiana