The 1988-89 Houston Rockets season was marked by a mix of challenges and transitions. Under the leadership of head coach Don Chaney, the Rockets ended the regular season with a 45-37 record. This performance was enough to secure them a spot in the playoffs, finishing third in the Midwest Division.
Hakeem Olajuwon was the centerpiece of the team, delivering a stellar season. He averaged 24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the court. Despite Olajuwon’s efforts, the team struggled with consistency, particularly in a competitive Western Conference.
During the playoffs, the Rockets faced the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. The series was tightly contested, but the Rockets ultimately fell short, losing in four games (3-1) in the best-of-five series. The defeat highlighted the team’s need for additional support around Olajuwon, particularly in terms of scoring and defensive depth.
The 1988-89 season was significant for the Rockets as it underscored the areas that needed improvement to become a championship contender. The team’s performance set the stage for future adjustments, both in player personnel and strategic approach, as they aimed to build a more robust lineup around their star center. The season’s end prompted reflections on how to better compete in subsequent years and leverage Olajuwon’s peak years effectively.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-3
Houston Rockets 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% |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 82 | 24.8 | 13.5 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 4 | 25.3 | 13.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.0 |
| Otis Thorpe | 82 | 16.7 | 9.6 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4 | 16.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Sleepy Floyd | 82 | 14.2 | 3.7 | 8.6 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 37.3 | 4 | 15.5 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 53.3 |
| Mike Woodson | 81 | 12.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 34.8 | 4 | 11.8 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 33.3 |
| Buck Johnson | 67 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 11.1 | 4 | 11.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Derrick Chievous | 81 | 9.3 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 20.8 | 4 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Walter Berry | 40 | 8.8 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 50.0 | 4 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Purvis Short | 65 | 7.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 27.3 | 4 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tim McCormick | 81 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Frank Johnson | 67 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 16.6 | 4 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Allen Leavell | 55 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 12.2 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bernard Thompson | 23 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Tony Brown | 14 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | |||||||
| Chuck Nevitt | 43 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Houston Rockets in the 1989 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the first round of the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced off against the Seattle SuperSonics. Despite a valiant effort from Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets struggled to contain Seattle's dynamic duo of Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel, ultimately falling in a competitive best-of-three series, 2-1. This early exit marked a disappointing end to the Rockets' season, highlighting the need for more depth to support their star center.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-107 | |
| Apr 30, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-97 | |
| May 03, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 126-107 | |
| May 05, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-96 |
Houston Rockets 1988-89 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1988-89 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 120-117 | |
| Nov 05, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 114-113 | |
| Nov 08, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 120-102 | |
| Nov 10, 1988 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-99 | |
| Nov 11, 1988 | @ Miami Heat | W 121-100 | |
| Nov 13, 1988 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 129-127 | |
| Nov 15, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | L 126-121 | |
| Nov 17, 1988 | vs. Miami Heat | W 113-107 | |
| Nov 19, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 109-98 | |
| Nov 21, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 117-113 | |
| Nov 23, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 111-108 | |
| Nov 25, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 111-94 | |
| Nov 26, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 119-109 | |
| Nov 29, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 124-107 | |
| Nov 30, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 101-89 | |
| Dec 02, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-95 | |
| Dec 03, 1988 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 108-104 | |
| Dec 06, 1988 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-105 | |
| Dec 08, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 120-116 | |
| Dec 10, 1988 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-91 | |
| Dec 13, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 126-101 | |
| Dec 15, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 124-115 | |
| Dec 18, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 120-109 | |
| Dec 20, 1988 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 105-104 | |
| Dec 22, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 125-109 | |
| Dec 26, 1988 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 97-95 | |
| Dec 27, 1988 | @ Miami Heat | W 101-93 | |
| Dec 29, 1988 | @ Washington Bullets | L 126-109 | |
| Dec 30, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 95-83 | |
| Jan 03, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 104-102 | |
| Jan 07, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 96-95 | |
| Jan 11, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 122-117 | |
| Jan 12, 1989 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-106 | |
| Jan 14, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-98 | |
| Jan 16, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 124-113 | |
| Jan 17, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 123-109 | |
| Jan 19, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-108 | |
| Jan 20, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 121-114 | |
| Jan 24, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 118-93 | |
| Jan 26, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 106-100 | |
| Jan 28, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 96-91 | |
| Jan 31, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 125-114 | |
| Feb 03, 1989 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 105-98 | |
| Feb 05, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 124-112 | |
| Feb 08, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 114-111 | |
| Feb 09, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-110 | |
| Feb 14, 1989 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 137-123 | |
| Feb 17, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 121-111 | |
| Feb 18, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 105-94 | |
| Feb 20, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 110-90 | |
| Feb 21, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 120-115 | |
| Feb 24, 1989 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 106-97 | |
| Feb 25, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 121-105 | |
| Feb 27, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 104-98 | |
| Mar 02, 1989 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-103 | |
| Mar 03, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-108 | |
| Mar 05, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 88-83 | |
| Mar 08, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 117-80 | |
| Mar 10, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 96-86 | |
| Mar 11, 1989 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 124-94 | |
| Mar 13, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 97-96 | |
| Mar 14, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 95-90 | |
| Mar 16, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 120-104 | |
| Mar 18, 1989 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 127-113 | |
| Mar 21, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 112-110 | |
| Mar 24, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 102-99 | |
| Mar 25, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 144-104 | |
| Mar 28, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 120-117 | |
| Mar 30, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 109-101 | |
| Mar 31, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 126-109 | |
| Apr 02, 1989 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-99 | |
| Apr 04, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 90-88 | |
| Apr 07, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 120-112 | |
| Apr 08, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | L 107-104 | |
| Apr 11, 1989 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 108-99 | |
| Apr 13, 1989 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 119-111 | |
| Apr 14, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 122-96 | |
| Apr 16, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 114-112 | |
| Apr 17, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 99-91 | |
| Apr 19, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 99-84 | |
| Apr 21, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 112-101 | |
| Apr 22, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | L 91-89 |