The 1987-88 Houston Rockets season was marked by a mix of challenges and transitions. Coming off a strong performance in prior seasons, the Rockets aimed to maintain their competitive edge in the NBA. The team was led by the dominant frontcourt duo of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, who were key figures in both offense and defense.
During the regular season, the Rockets posted a record of 46-36, securing the third spot in the Midwest Division. Despite various injuries, notably to Sampson, which disrupted some of the team’s rhythm, Olajuwon’s exceptional performance helped the Rockets remain a formidable force. He averaged 22.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game, showcasing his all-around capabilities.
The Rockets advanced to the playoffs, facing the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. Despite a hard-fought series, the Rockets were eliminated in four games, losing the series 3-1. This early exit highlighted some of the inconsistencies and challenges the team faced throughout the season, including depth issues and reliance on their star players.
Overall, while the 1987-88 season did not meet the high expectations set by previous successes, it was a period of adjustment and learning for the Rockets. The experience gained during this transitional phase set the stage for future strategic changes and player development.
- Regular Season Record: 46-36
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-3
Houston Rockets 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% |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 79 | 22.8 | 12.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 4 | 37.5 | 16.8 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.0 |
| Ralph Sampson | 19 | 15.9 | 9.1 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Purvis Short | 81 | 14.3 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 23.8 | 4 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Sleepy Floyd | 59 | 13.1 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 25.0 | 4 | 18.8 | 1.8 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Rodney McCray | 81 | 12.4 | 7.8 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Joe Barry Carroll | 63 | 12.0 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 11.0 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Allen Leavell | 80 | 10.2 | 1.9 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 21.6 | 4 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Jim Petersen | 69 | 8.9 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 16.7 | 4 | 7.8 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| World B. Free | 58 | 6.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 22.9 | 2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Robert Reid | 62 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 38.2 | 4 | 8.8 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 42.9 |
| Steve Harris | 14 | 5.9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Buck Johnson | 70 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 12.5 | 4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Cedric Maxwell | 71 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Andre Turner | 12 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 14.3 | |||||||
| Richard Anderson | 12 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 40.0 | |||||||
| Lester Conner | 52 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Houston Rockets in the 1988 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Dallas Mavericks
In the first round of the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Dallas Mavericks, marking a tough matchup in the Western Conference. Despite a valiant effort led by their star center Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets were ultimately outmatched, losing the series 3-1 to the Mavericks. This early exit highlighted the team's struggle to capitalize on Olajuwon's dominance during that era.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-110 | |
| Apr 30, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 119-108 | |
| May 03, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 93-92 | |
| May 05, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 107-97 |
Houston Rockets 1987-88 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1987-88 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-102 | |
| Nov 08, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-92 | |
| Nov 10, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 118-111 | |
| Nov 12, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 116-114 | |
| Nov 14, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 101-93 | |
| Nov 15, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-106 | |
| Nov 17, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 114-111 | |
| Nov 19, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-97 | |
| Nov 21, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 104-94 | |
| Nov 24, 1987 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 97-83 | |
| Nov 25, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 109-103 | |
| Nov 27, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-96 | |
| Nov 28, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 98-86 | |
| Dec 01, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 106-101 | |
| Dec 02, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 97-93 | |
| Dec 05, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-96 | |
| Dec 08, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 106-97 | |
| Dec 10, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 98-93 | |
| Dec 12, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 112-103 | |
| Dec 16, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 132-113 | |
| Dec 17, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 98-92 | |
| Dec 19, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 121-117 | |
| Dec 22, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 122-103 | |
| Dec 26, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 105-100 | |
| Dec 29, 1987 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 101-91 | |
| Dec 30, 1987 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-93 | |
| Jan 02, 1988 | @ Washington Bullets | W 111-100 | |
| Jan 04, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 117-107 | |
| Jan 06, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-95 | |
| Jan 07, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 120-113 | |
| Jan 09, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 104-98 | |
| Jan 13, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 117-106 | |
| Jan 14, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 103-98 | |
| Jan 16, 1988 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 132-102 | |
| Jan 18, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 121-110 | |
| Jan 19, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 107-104 | |
| Jan 21, 1988 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 116-103 | |
| Jan 26, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 124-104 | |
| Jan 28, 1988 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 109-85 | |
| Jan 30, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 108-92 | |
| Feb 02, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 109-99 | |
| Feb 04, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 115-87 | |
| Feb 09, 1988 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 129-120 | |
| Feb 11, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-115 | |
| Feb 12, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 112-105 | |
| Feb 14, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 115-103 | |
| Feb 16, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-116 | |
| Feb 18, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-96 | |
| Feb 20, 1988 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 115-109 | |
| Feb 22, 1988 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 119-106 | |
| Feb 25, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 108-106 | |
| Feb 26, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 111-107 | |
| Feb 28, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-95 | |
| Mar 01, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 113-112 | |
| Mar 02, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 108-101 | |
| Mar 04, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 118-110 | |
| Mar 05, 1988 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 105-94 | |
| Mar 08, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 113-103 | |
| Mar 10, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 112-109 | |
| Mar 13, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 125-112 | |
| Mar 15, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 116-110 | |
| Mar 17, 1988 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 115-106 | |
| Mar 19, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 121-104 | |
| Mar 22, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-95 | |
| Mar 24, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 134-117 | |
| Mar 26, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 115-109 | |
| Mar 28, 1988 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-98 | |
| Mar 30, 1988 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-110 | |
| Mar 31, 1988 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 102-100 | |
| Apr 02, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | L 104-98 | |
| Apr 05, 1988 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 110-97 | |
| Apr 07, 1988 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 113-107 | |
| Apr 09, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-104 | |
| Apr 10, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 122-105 | |
| Apr 12, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 127-119 | |
| Apr 14, 1988 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 123-105 | |
| Apr 15, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 132-125 | |
| Apr 17, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 127-119 | |
| Apr 19, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 104-96 | |
| Apr 21, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 117-116 | |
| Apr 23, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 125-107 | |
| Apr 24, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 127-119 |