The 1988-89 Chicago Bulls season was pivotal in the franchise’s history, marking a significant step forward in their journey towards NBA dominance. Under the guidance of head coach Doug Collins, the team finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, which placed them sixth in the Central Division. This season is often highlighted by the emergence of Michael Jordan as a complete player, not only known for his scoring prowess but also his ability to involve teammates and contribute defensively.
Michael Jordan had an outstanding season, leading the league in scoring with an average of 32.5 points per game, while also contributing 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. His all-around performance earned him a spot on the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. The season also saw the continued development of Scottie Pippen, who would eventually become an essential part of the Bulls’ championship runs in the coming years.
In the playoffs, the Bulls demonstrated significant growth, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 1974-75 season. They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in an intense five-game series, famously concluded by Jordan’s iconic buzzer-beater, known as “The Shot.” The Bulls then took down the New York Knicks in six games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Ultimately, the Bulls’ playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, a team known for their physical “Bad Boys” style of play. The Pistons defeated the Bulls in six games, exploiting Chicago’s relative inexperience compared to the veteran-laden Detroit squad. Despite falling short of the NBA Finals, the 1988-89 season set the stage for the Bulls’ success in the 1990s, as they built around Jordan and Pippen to form a dynasty.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Eastern Conference Finals: 2-4
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 1988-89 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Michael Jordan | 81 | 32.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 27.5 | 17 | 34.8 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 28.6 |
| Scottie Pippen | 73 | 14.4 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 27.3 | 17 | 13.1 | 7.6 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 39.3 |
| Bill Cartwright | 78 | 12.4 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 17 | 11.8 | 7.1 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Horace Grant | 79 | 12.0 | 8.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 17 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Craig Hodges | 49 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 42.3 | 17 | 11.2 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 39.8 |
| Sam Vincent | 70 | 9.4 | 2.7 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 11.8 | 16 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| John Paxson | 78 | 7.3 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 33.1 | 16 | 5.8 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 26.3 |
| Brad Sellers | 80 | 6.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 50.0 | 13 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Dave Corzine | 81 | 5.9 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 25.0 | 16 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Charles Davis | 49 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 26.7 | 17 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 16.7 |
| Will Perdue | 30 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jack Haley | 51 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Jones | 8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ed Nealy | 13 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dominic Pressley | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| David Wood | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls in the 1989 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the first round of the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a thrilling five-game series. The series is best remembered for Michael Jordan's iconic buzzer-beater, known as u0022The Shot,u0022 which clinched a 101-100 win for the Bulls in Game 5, propelling them to the next round. Jordan's heroics and the team's resilience set the tone for Chicago's deep playoff run that year, eventually reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-88 | |
| Apr 30, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 96-88 | |
| May 03, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-94 | |
| May 05, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-105 | |
| May 07, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-100 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. New York Knicks
In the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Led by a phenomenal Michael Jordan, who averaged over 35 points per game in the series, the Bulls triumphed in a hard-fought six-game battle. This victory was pivotal in establishing the Bulls as a rising force in the East, setting the stage for their future dominance in the 1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 09, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | W 120-109 | |
| May 11, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 114-97 | |
| May 13, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-88 | |
| May 14, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 106-93 | |
| May 16, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 121-114 | |
| May 19, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-111 |
1989 Conference Championship vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls reached the Eastern Conference Finals, showcasing a young Michael Jordan's burgeoning dominance. Under the guidance of head coach Doug Collins, the Bulls battled fiercely against the Detroit Pistons but ultimately fell short, losing the series 2-4. This series marked a pivotal moment in the Bulls' evolution, setting the stage for their eventual emergence as a championship powerhouse in the early 1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 94-88 | |
| May 23, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-91 | |
| May 27, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 99-97 | |
| May 29, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 86-80 | |
| May 31, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 94-85 | |
| Jun 02, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 103-94 |
Chicago Bulls 1988-89 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1988-89 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 107-94 | |
| Nov 05, 1988 | @ Washington Bullets | W 111-98 | |
| Nov 08, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | L 126-117 | |
| Nov 09, 1988 | @ Boston Celtics | W 110-104 | |
| Nov 11, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 97-85 | |
| Nov 12, 1988 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-91 | |
| Nov 15, 1988 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-107 | |
| Nov 16, 1988 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 123-110 | |
| Nov 18, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 115-112 | |
| Nov 22, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 114-98 | |
| Nov 23, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 105-97 | |
| Nov 26, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 128-123 | |
| Nov 29, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 109-99 | |
| Nov 30, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-93 | |
| Dec 03, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 113-100 | |
| Dec 06, 1988 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 105-100 | |
| Dec 07, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 102-89 | |
| Dec 09, 1988 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 118-100 | |
| Dec 10, 1988 | vs. Miami Heat | W 111-88 | |
| Dec 13, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 106-88 | |
| Dec 16, 1988 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 100-93 | |
| Dec 17, 1988 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-93 | |
| Dec 20, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-103 | |
| Dec 23, 1988 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 103-101 | |
| Dec 27, 1988 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 107-96 | |
| Dec 29, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 108-106 | |
| Dec 30, 1988 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 101-85 | |
| Jan 03, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 126-121 | |
| Jan 05, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 103-98 | |
| Jan 06, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 106-92 | |
| Jan 10, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 104-101 | |
| Jan 11, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 106-101 | |
| Jan 13, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-99 | |
| Jan 15, 1989 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 110-104 | |
| Jan 17, 1989 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 103-96 | |
| Jan 19, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 112-108 | |
| Jan 21, 1989 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 116-107 | |
| Jan 24, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 109-91 | |
| Jan 25, 1989 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 120-108 | |
| Jan 27, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 117-106 | |
| Jan 31, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 104-98 | |
| Feb 02, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 109-98 | |
| Feb 03, 1989 | @ Houston Rockets | L 105-98 | |
| Feb 05, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 113-102 | |
| Feb 07, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 118-93 | |
| Feb 09, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 108-103 | |
| Feb 14, 1989 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 106-98 | |
| Feb 16, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 117-116 | |
| Feb 19, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 108-106 | |
| Feb 20, 1989 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-98 | |
| Feb 22, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 130-102 | |
| Feb 24, 1989 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 106-97 | |
| Feb 25, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 125-95 | |
| Feb 28, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 121-102 | |
| Mar 03, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-96 | |
| Mar 04, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 122-104 | |
| Mar 07, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 90-88 | |
| Mar 08, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 104-95 | |
| Mar 11, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-88 | |
| Mar 13, 1989 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 122-90 | |
| Mar 15, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 115-91 | |
| Mar 17, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 129-124 | |
| Mar 18, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 114-103 | |
| Mar 21, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 104-103 | |
| Mar 22, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 112-111 | |
| Mar 24, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 128-113 | |
| Mar 25, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-110 | |
| Mar 28, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-106 | |
| Mar 29, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 106-102 | |
| Mar 31, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 109-100 | |
| Apr 02, 1989 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 106-95 | |
| Apr 04, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 121-101 | |
| Apr 06, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 115-108 | |
| Apr 07, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 114-112 | |
| Apr 09, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 108-100 | |
| Apr 13, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 109-105 | |
| Apr 14, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-111 | |
| Apr 16, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 111-92 | |
| Apr 17, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 104-100 | |
| Apr 20, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | L 100-98 | |
| Apr 21, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 115-113 | |
| Apr 23, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 90-84 |
