The 1987-88 Seattle SuperSonics season marked a pivotal period for the franchise, showcasing both potential and rebuilding efforts. Under head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, the team finished the regular season with a 44-38 record, securing the 7th seed in the Western Conference. This performance was a notable improvement from the previous season, reflecting the team’s growing cohesion and competitive spirit.
A critical factor in their success was the performance of their emerging stars. Tom Chambers, who averaged 20.4 points per game, was a key offensive weapon, while Dale Ellis, acquired from the Dallas Mavericks before the season, made an immediate impact by contributing 25.8 points per game. Ellis’s scoring prowess earned him the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, highlighting his breakout season.
In the playoffs, the SuperSonics demonstrated resilience and tenacity. They faced the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, overcoming them in a dramatic five-game series, which concluded with a 3-2 victory for Seattle. However, their playoff run was halted in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Houston Rockets. The SuperSonics lost the series 4-1, but the experience gained was invaluable for the young team.
The 1987-88 season set the foundation for future success, as the SuperSonics continued to build around their core players. This period laid the groundwork for the team’s eventual rise in the Western Conference hierarchy, signaling a promising era for Seattle basketball fans.
- Regular Season Record: 44-38
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-3
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1987-88 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Dale Ellis | 75 | 25.8 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 41.3 | 5 | 20.8 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 25.0 |
| Xavier McDaniel | 78 | 21.4 | 6.6 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 28.0 | 5 | 21.2 | 9.6 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 50.0 |
| Tom Chambers | 82 | 20.4 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 30.3 | 5 | 25.8 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Derrick McKey | 82 | 8.5 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 36.6 | 5 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 33.3 |
| Nate McMillan | 82 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 8.6 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 37.5 | 5 | 6.6 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Sedale Threatt | 26 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 14.3 | 5 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Williams | 80 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14.3 | 5 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Russ Schoene | 81 | 6.0 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 29.3 | 5 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Alton Lister | 82 | 5.6 | 7.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 50.0 | 5 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Sam Vincent | 43 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 38.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Olden Polynice | 82 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Young | 77 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 5 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Clemon Johnson | 74 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 1988 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics pulled off a stunning first-round upset against the Dallas Mavericks. Seattle, the seventh seed, won the series 3-2, showcasing remarkable resilience and defensive prowess. Dale Ellis was instrumental, delivering clutch performances that helped the Sonics advance despite being the underdogs.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 126-123 | |
| May 01, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 111-91 | |
| May 03, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 125-114 | |
| May 05, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-117 | |
| May 07, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 115-96 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1987-88 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1987-88 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-109 | |
| Nov 07, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-96 | |
| Nov 10, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-101 | |
| Nov 12, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 123-118 | |
| Nov 13, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 15, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | L 108-106 | |
| Nov 18, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-114 | |
| Nov 20, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-97 | |
| Nov 21, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-103 | |
| Nov 24, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-85 | |
| Nov 27, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-112 | |
| Nov 28, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 131-115 | |
| Dec 01, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 112-109 | |
| Dec 02, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 104-102 | |
| Dec 04, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 118-105 | |
| Dec 05, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 115-99 | |
| Dec 08, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-96 | |
| Dec 10, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 113-96 | |
| Dec 12, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-95 | |
| Dec 14, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 116-95 | |
| Dec 15, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 128-109 | |
| Dec 17, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-109 | |
| Dec 19, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 129-102 | |
| Dec 20, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 103-94 | |
| Dec 23, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 103-102 | |
| Dec 26, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 115-111 | |
| Dec 28, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-100 | |
| Dec 30, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-105 | |
| Jan 02, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-114 | |
| Jan 05, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 126-114 | |
| Jan 06, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-95 | |
| Jan 09, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 141-133 | |
| Jan 10, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 109-108 | |
| Jan 13, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 144-115 | |
| Jan 15, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-105 | |
| Jan 16, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 114-112 | |
| Jan 18, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-105 | |
| Jan 20, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-96 | |
| Jan 22, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-106 | |
| Jan 24, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-109 | |
| Jan 26, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 116-100 | |
| Jan 29, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 117-109 | |
| Jan 30, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 112-102 | |
| Feb 01, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 105-100 | |
| Feb 04, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-109 | |
| Feb 09, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 139-123 | |
| Feb 11, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-115 | |
| Feb 13, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 109-95 | |
| Feb 15, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-122 | |
| Feb 17, 1988 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 115-93 | |
| Feb 18, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 108-95 | |
| Feb 20, 1988 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-101 | |
| Feb 21, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 129-113 | |
| Feb 23, 1988 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-97 | |
| Feb 26, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 133-130 | |
| Feb 27, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-111 | |
| Mar 01, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-100 | |
| Mar 04, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 125-110 | |
| Mar 05, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 115-102 | |
| Mar 08, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 121-116 | |
| Mar 09, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 106-97 | |
| Mar 13, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-102 | |
| Mar 15, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 111-90 | |
| Mar 17, 1988 | @ Houston Rockets | L 115-106 | |
| Mar 18, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 118-110 | |
| Mar 20, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 108-95 | |
| Mar 23, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-108 | |
| Mar 26, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 131-98 | |
| Mar 29, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-103 | |
| Mar 31, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-115 | |
| Apr 02, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 151-107 | |
| Apr 05, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 94-90 | |
| Apr 06, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-102 | |
| Apr 08, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-100 | |
| Apr 09, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-104 | |
| Apr 13, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-92 | |
| Apr 15, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-88 | |
| Apr 16, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 121-119 | |
| Apr 19, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 134-114 | |
| Apr 20, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-98 | |
| Apr 22, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-109 | |
| Apr 24, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 109-100 |