1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 43rd season of the franchise, 41st in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 29th in Los Angeles.[1] This would also be the final season for All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[2][3][4][5] During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agent Orlando Woolridge.[6][7][8] The Lakers entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions. The team won 15 of their first 18 games, held a 32–15 record at the All-Star break,[9] and finished with a 57–25 record, earning them the top playoff seed in the Western Conference.[10]

1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPat Riley
General managerJerry West
OwnersJerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record57–25 (.695)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Pistons 0–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKHJ-TV
Prime Ticket
(Chick Hearn, Stu Lantz)
RadioKLAC
(Chick Hearn, Stu Lantz)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

Magic Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 12.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, won the Most Valuable Player award,[11][12][13][14][15] and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while James Worthy averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and Byron Scott provided the team with 19.6 points and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, A.C. Green provided with 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while being selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Abdul-Jabbar contributed 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Woolridge provided with 9.7 points per game, while Mychal Thompson averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and defensive guard Michael Cooper contributed 7.3 points and 3.9 assists per game.[16] Johnson, Worthy and Abdul-Jabbar were all selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, while head coach Pat Riley was selected to coach the Western Conference. However, Johnson did not participate due to a hamstring injury, as Abdul-Jabbar was selected as his replacement; it would also be the final All-Star appearance for Abdul-Jabbar.[17][18][19][20][21][22]

After going undefeated by sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,[23][24][25][26] then sweeping the Seattle SuperSonics, 4–0 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,[27][28][29][30] and sweeping the Phoenix Suns, 4–0 in the Western Conference Finals,[31][32][33][34] the Lakers were seen as the favorites in the 1989 NBA Finals, in a rematch against the Detroit Pistons, who they defeated in last season's NBA Finals in a hard-fought seven games.[35] However, after injuries to their starting backcourt of Johnson and Scott,[36][37][38][39] the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in four straight games. After the Finals concluded, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement at age 42, after twenty seasons in the NBA.[40][41][42][43][44] Also following the season, Tony Campbell signed as a free agent with the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.[45][46][47]

The 1988–89 season marked an end to a run of eight consecutive Western Conference finals appearances for the Lakers, the most since the 1968–69 Boston Celtics, as in the following season, the Lakers would lose in the conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns in five games.[48][49][50][51]

Draft picks edit

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 25 David Rivers PG   United States Notre Dame

Roster edit

1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 33 Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (C) 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1947–04–16 UCLA
F 19 Campbell, Tony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–05–07 Ohio State
G 21 Cooper, Michael 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1956–04–15 New Mexico
F 45 Green, A.C. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State
G 32 Johnson, Magic (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–08–14 Michigan State
F 3 Lamp, Jeff 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1959–03–09 Virginia
C 31 McNamara, Mark 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1959–06–08 California
G 14 Rivers, David 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–01–20 Notre Dame
G 00, 4 Scott, Byron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
C 43 Thompson, Mychal 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 226 lb (103 kg) 1955–01–30 University of Minnesota
F 0 Woolridge, Orlando 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–12–16 Notre Dame
F 42 Worthy, James 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1961–02–27 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season edit

Season standings edit

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 57 25 .695 35–6 22–19 25–9
x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 2 35–6 20–21 23–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 31–10 16–25 20–14
x-Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 14 29–12 14–27 15–19
x-Portland Trail Blazers 39 43 .476 18 28–13 11–30 17–17
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 30 21–20 6–35 12–22
Los Angeles Clippers 21 61 .256 36 17–24 4–37 7–27
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 57 25 .695
2 y-Utah Jazz 51 31 .622 6
3 x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10
5 x-Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 12
6 x-Denver Nuggets 44 38 .537 13
7 x-Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 14
8 x-Portland Trail Blazers 39 43 .476 18
9 Dallas Mavericks 38 44 .463 19
10 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 30
11 San Antonio Spurs 21 61 .256 36
12 Los Angeles Clippers 21 61 .256 36
13 Miami Heat 15 67 .183 42

Record vs. opponents edit

1988-89 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 3–1 4–1 4–2 4–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 6–0 4–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Boston 1–3 6–0 1–3 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 5–1 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–4
Charlotte 1–4 0–6 1–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–4 2–4 3–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5
Chicago 2–4 3–1 4–1 0–6 2–0 1–1 0–6 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 6–0 2–2 3–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1
Cleveland 2–4 4–1 4–0 6–0 2–0 2–0 3–3 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–3 4–0 2–2 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2
Dallas 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–3 0–2 1–3 1–5 1–1 3–1 0–4 6–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 5–1 2–2 4–2 1–1
Denver 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–3 1–1 3–1 4–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Detroit 5–1 3–1 4–0 6–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–4 4–0 0–4 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–0
Golden State 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–1 5–1 2–3 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–4 2–4 2–3 3–1 2–4 2–2 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–4 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 6–0 2–2 2–4 0–2
Indiana 1–5 3–2 2–2 2–4 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–5 2–2 1–1 1–5 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–5 2–3 3–1 1–4 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 2–0 5–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3 5–0 5–1 3–1 4–2 1–3 1–1
Miami 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–6 1–5 0–2 0–4 2–4 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–4 0–4 1–5 0–2
Milwaukee 0–6 2–2 4–0 0–6 3–3 2–0 2–0 4–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New Jersey 1–4 1–5 4–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4 2–4 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–5
New York 2–2 3–3 4–2 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–2 2–4 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Philadelphia 2–2 3–3 3–3 3–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 0–5 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–3 5–1 4–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–2
Phoenix 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–2 3–1 1–1 5–1 3–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–3 5–1 3–1 4–1 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–2 1–3 0–2 5–1 0–5 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 3–3 4–0 2–4 0–4 1–1
Sacramento 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 3–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 1–5 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–3 2–2 1–5 1–3 0–2
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 3–3 0–2 1–3 0–6 0–2 1–3 1–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 2–2 0–4 1–5 1–1
Seattle 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 4–2 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–4 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 4–2 5–1 4–0 3–1 1–1
Utah 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 0–2 2–2 4–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 5–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 5–1 1–3 2–0
Washington 1–3 4–2 5–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–4 5–1 1–5 2–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2

Game log edit

Regular season edit

1988–89 game log
Total: 57–25 (home: 35–6; road: 22–19)
November: 10–3 (home: 4–0; road: 6–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 4 @ Dallas W 116-113 James Worthy (25) Johnson & Worthy (6) Magic Johnson (14) Reunion Arena
17,007
1-0
2 November 5 @ San Antonio L 107-122 Magic Johnson (21) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (14) HemisFair Arena
15,861
1-1
3 November 8 @ Golden State W 114-102 Byron Scott (23) 3 players tied (7) Magic Johnson (18) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
2-1
4 November 9 Denver W 128-110 Byron Scott (33) A.C. Green (9) Magic Johnson (19) Great Western Forum
17,505
3-1
5 November 11 Seattle W 114-103 Byron Scott (29) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (16) Great Western Forum
17,505
4-1
6 November 15 @ Denver W 148-146 (2OT) James Worthy (33) Mychal Thompson (10) Magic Johnson (13) McNichols Sports Arena
15,198
5-1
7 November 17 @ Seattle L 98-101 Magic Johnson (28) Johnson & Thompson (10) Magic Johnson (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,576
5-2
8 November 18 Portland W 106-105 Magic Johnson (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (9) Great Western Forum
17,505
6-2
9 November 22 @ New York W 110-98 James Worthy (29) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (13) Madison Square Garden
19,591
7-2
10 November 23 @ Miami W 138-91 Orlando Woolridge (22) Tony Campbell (9) Magic Johnson (17) Miami Arena
15,008
8-2
11 November 26, 1988
5:30 p.m. PST
@ Detroit L 99–102 Scott (20) Green (14) Johnson (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
8–3
12 November 28 @ Philadelphia W 109-104 Magic Johnson (32) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (20) The Spectrum
18,168
9-3
13 November 30 Seattle W 110-106 Magic Johnson (40) Mychal Thompson (11) Magic Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505
10-3
December: 9–7 (home: 6–0; road: 3–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
14 December 2 Utah W 113-92 Byron Scott (32) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (15) Great Western Forum
17,505
11-3
15 December 4 Washington W 119-112 (OT) Magic Johnson (29) Mychal Thompson (9) Magic Johnson (17) Great Western Forum
17,505
12-3
16 December 6 @ L.A. Clippers W 111-102 Magic Johnson (25) Mychal Thompson (11) Magic Johnson (21) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352
13-3
17 December 7 Phoenix W 125-111 Byron Scott (27) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,353
14-3
18 December 10 @ Indiana W 112-105 Magic Johnson (32) Green & Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (13) Market Square Arena
16,912
15-3
19 December 11 @ Milwaukee L 94-95 James Worthy (21) A.C. Green (6) Magic Johnson (12) Bradley Center
18,633
15-4
20 December 13 @ Cleveland W 111-102 Magic Johnson (31) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (13) Richfield Coliseum
20,041
16-4
21 December 14 @ New Jersey L 113-118 (OT) Magic Johnson (35) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (9) Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049
16-5
22 December 16 @ Boston L 96-110 Magic Johnson (31) A.C. Green (16) Magic Johnson (7) Boston Garden
14,890
16-6
23 December 18 @ Washington L 110-115 James Worthy (31) James Worthy (7) Magic Johnson (8) Capital Centre
18,643
16-7
24 December 20 @ Chicago L 103-116 Magic Johnson (31) Mychal Thompson (9) Magic Johnson (12) Chicago Stadium
18,676
16-8
25 December 23 Sacramento W 120-102 Magic Johnson (27) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (15) Great Western Forum
17,505
17-8
26 December 25 @ Utah L 87-101 Johnson & Worthy (18) Mychal Thompson (9) Magic Johnson (10) Salt Palace
12,444
17-9
27 December 26 @ Phoenix L 96-111 Byron Scott (24) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (8) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
17-10
28 December 28 Philadelphia W 128-123 Johnson & Worthy (26) Magic Johnson (10) Magic Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,505
18-10
29 December 30 L.A. Clippers W 124-109 Magic Johnson (34) James Worthy (11) Magic Johnson (14) Great Western Forum
17,505
19-10
January: 11–3 (home: 8–1; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
30 January 3 @ Seattle L 106-116 A.C. Green (27) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,645
19-11
31 January 4 Portland W 133-120 Mychal Thompson (27) Green & Thompson (11) Magic Johnson (15) Great Western Forum
17,505
20-11
32 January 6 Miami W 118-86 Orlando Woolridge (29) A.C. Green (9) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
21-11
33 January 8 San Antonio W 126-96 3 players tied (17) 3 players tied (8) Magic Johnson (17) Great Western Forum
17,505
22-11
34 January 10 @ Sacramento L 97-106 Johnson & Worthy (22) A.C. Green (12) Magic Johnson (12) ARCO Arena
16,517
22-12
35 January 13 Cleveland W 116-95 Magic Johnson (26) A.C. Green (15) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
23-12
36 January 15 @ L.A. Clippers W 116-95 Byron Scott (28) Green & Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (12) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352
24-12
37 January 16 Houston W 124-113 James Worthy (26) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,505
25-12
38 January 18 L.A. Clippers W 111-90 Magic Johnson (19) James Worthy (15) Magic Johnson (13) Great Western Forum
17,301
26-12
39 January 20 Dallas W 115-99 Magic Johnson (30) James Worthy (10) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
27-12
40 January 24 New York L 117-122 Johnson & Worthy (26) James Worthy (14) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
27-13
41 January 27 Charlotte W 114-97 A.C. Green (24) A.C. Green (11) Cooper & Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505
28-13
42 January 29 @ Dallas W 118-93 A.C. Green (25) James Worthy (12) Magic Johnson (9) Reunion Arena
17,007
29-13
43 January 31 @ Houston W 125-114 A.C. Green (24) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (10) The Summit
16,611
30-13
February: 7–4 (home: 5–2; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
44 February 1 @ Phoenix L 97-114 Magic Johnson (17) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
30-14
45 February 3 Portland W 140-129 Magic Johnson (29) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
31-14
46 February 5 New Jersey W 134-116 Magic Johnson (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Magic Johnson (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
32-14
47 February 8 Golden State L 118-121 James Worthy (30) Johnson & Woolridge (8) Magic Johnson (12) Great Western Forum
17,505
32-15
All-Star Break
48 February 14, 1989
7:30 p.m. PST
Detroit L 103–111 Worthy (33) Green (11) Cooper (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
32–16
49 February 16 @ Portland W 110-101 James Worthy (28) Mychal Thompson (12) Michael Cooper (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,848
33-16
50 February 19 Boston W 119-110 Byron Scott (35) A.C. Green (11) Michael Cooper (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
34-16
51 February 20 @ Sacramento W 100-97 Byron Scott (33) A.C. Green (10) Cooper & Worthy (7) ARCO Arena
16,517
35-16
52 February 22 @ Utah L 79-105 Byron Scott (14) A.C. Green (9) Michael Cooper (7) Salt Palace
12,444
35-17
53 February 24 Sacramento W 115-103 Byron Scott (31) A.C. Green (15) Magic Johnson (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
36-17
54 February 26 Phoenix W 134-122 Byron Scott (29) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (19) Great Western Forum
17,505
37-17
March: 11–4 (home: 6–2; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
55 March 1 Golden State W 142-121 Magic Johnson (35) Magic Johnson (14) Magic Johnson (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
38-17
56 March 3 Indiana W 139-117 A.C. Green (24) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (16) Great Western Forum
17,505
39-17
57 March 5 @ Houston L 83-88 James Worthy (19) A.C. Green (9) Magic Johnson (15) The Summit
16,611
39-18
58 March 7 @ Atlanta W 106-97 James Worthy (24) A.C. Green (13) Magic Johnson (15) Omni Coliseum
16,371
40-18
59 March 8 @ Miami W 127-87 Tony Campbell (19) Mark McNamara (13) Magic Johnson (10) Miami Arena
15,008
41-18
60 March 10 @ Charlotte W 123-90 Byron Scott (25) A.C. Green (15) Magic Johnson (14) Charlotte Coliseum
23,388
42-18
61 March 12 @ Golden State W 126-115 Byron Scott (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (10) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
43-18
62 March 13 Houston W 97-96 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (21) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
44-18
63 March 17 Dallas W 106-103 Magic Johnson (31) A.C. Green (15) Magic Johnson (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
45-18
64 March 19 Atlanta L 111-113 Magic Johnson (29) A.C. Green (14) Magic Johnson (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
45-19
65 March 21 Chicago L 103-104 Magic Johnson (20) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (12) Great Western Forum
17,505
45-20
66 March 23 @ Sacramento W 115-92 Magic Johnson (25) A.C. Green (15) Magic Johnson (14) ARCO Arena
16,517
46-20
67 March 26 Phoenix W 118-116 Magic Johnson (34) A.C. Green (12) Magic Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,505
47-20
68 March 28 @ Phoenix L 104-127 James Worthy (24) James Worthy (11) Magic Johnson (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
47-21
69 March 30 San Antonio W 138-98 Byron Scott (35) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505
48-21
April: 9–4 (home: 6–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
70 April 1 @ Denver L 108-114 (OT) James Worthy (25) Magic Johnson (17) Magic Johnson (15) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
48-22
71 April 2 Milwaukee W 118-117 Byron Scott (32) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
49-22
72 April 4 @ Seattle W 115-97 A.C. Green (33) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810
50-22
73 April 7 Utah L 97-99 Johnson & Worthy (24) James Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505
50-23
74 April 8 @ Golden State L 116-122 Magic Johnson (24) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (12) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
50-24
75 April 10 L.A. Clippers W 133-116 Magic Johnson (24) A.C. Green (9) Magic Johnson (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
51-24
76 April 12 @ San Antonio W 107-100 Magic Johnson (24) A.C. Green (12) Magic Johnson (7) HemisFair Arena
15,861
52-24
77 April 15 @ L.A. Clippers L 107-119 Magic Johnson (26) A.C. Green (8) Magic Johnson (13) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352
52-25
78 April 16 Miami W 121-108 Magic Johnson (24) Mychal Thompson (9) Magic Johnson (7) Great Western Forum
17,505
53-25
79 April 18 Denver W 142-118 James Worthy (26) Magic Johnson (17) Magic Johnson (17) Great Western Forum
17,505
54-25
80 April 20 Sacramento W 118-115 James Worthy (38) A.C. Green (9) Magic Johnson (16) Great Western Forum
17,505
55-25
81 April 21 @ Portland W 121-114 Magic Johnson (23) A.C. Green (12) Magic Johnson (10) Memorial Coliseum
12,880
56-25
82 April 23 Seattle W 121-117 Magic Johnson (29) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (21) Great Western Forum
17,505
57-25
1988–89 schedule

Playoffs edit

1989 playoff game log
Total: 11–4 (home: 6–2; road: 5–2)
Western Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 27 Portland W 128–108 Magic Johnson (30) Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (8) Magic Johnson (16) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–0
2 April 30 Portland W 113–105 Magic Johnson (35) A.C. Green (13) Magic Johnson (12) Great Western Forum
17,505
2–0
3 May 3 @ Portland W 116–108 Byron Scott (25) A.C. Green (13) Magic Johnson (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,880
3–0
Western Conference semifinals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 7 Seattle W 113–102 James Worthy (28) James Worthy (12) Magic Johnson (14) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–0
2 May 10 Seattle W 130–108 James Worthy (30) A.C. Green (8) Magic Johnson (12) Great Western Forum
17,505
2–0
3 May 12 @ Seattle W 91–86 James Worthy (20) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (14) Kingdome
14,541
3–0
4 May 14 @ Seattle W 97–95 James Worthy (33) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (9) Kingdome
14,006
4–0
Western Conference finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 20 Phoenix W 127–119 James Worthy (32) A.C. Green (10) Magic Johnson (12) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–0
2 May 23 Phoenix W 101–95 Byron Scott (30) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (14) Great Western Forum
17,505
2–0
3 May 26 @ Phoenix W 110–107 James Worthy (29) James Worthy (12) Magic Johnson (11) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
3–0
4 May 28 @ Phoenix W 122–117 Byron Scott (35) A.C. Green (11) Magic Johnson (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
4–0
NBA Finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 June 6, 1989
6:00 p.m. PDT
@ Detroit L 97–109 Johnson,
Worthy (17)
Green (8) Johnson (14) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
0–1
2 June 8, 1989
6:00 p.m. PDT
@ Detroit L 105–108 Cooper,
Worthy (19)
Green (9) Johnson (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
0–2
3 June 11, 1989
12:30 p.m. PDT
Detroit L 110–114 Worthy (26) Abdul-Jabbar (13) Cooper (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
0–3
4 June 13, 1989
6:00 p.m. PDT
Detroit L 97–105 Worthy (40) Green (12) Cooper (9) Great Western Forum
17,505
0–4
1989 schedule
  • On June 28, 1989, after twenty professional seasons, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement. On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at all the games, home and away.

Awards and honors edit

  • A.C. Green, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
  • Magic Johnson, NBA Most Valuable Player
  • Magic Johnson, NBA All-First Team

Transactions edit

References edit

  1. ^ 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers
  2. ^ McManis, Sam (April 23, 1989). "A LAST HURRAH: For Abdul-Jabbar, a Season of Farewells Will Be Capped Today". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  3. ^ McManis, Sam (April 24, 1989). "A Fitting Farewell to Kareem: Lakers Beat Seattle in Center's Goodby". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Berger, Phil (June 14, 1989). "Abdul-Jabbar Winds Up 20 Years to Warm Goodbye". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 18, 1989). "BASKETBALL; As Applause Dies, Abdul-Jabbar Quietly Reflects". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Edes, Gordon (August 10, 1988). "Lakers to Announce Signing Today of Free Agent Orlando Woolridge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. ^ "Sports People; Lakers Sign Woolridge". The New York Times. August 11, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Thomas, Pete (August 11, 1988). "Lakers Boost Bench by Signing 6-9 Woolridge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. ^ "1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Magic Named MVP 2nd Time: Jordan Edged Out in Closest Vote in 8 Years". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 22, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Johnson Is M.V.P. for a Second Time". The New York Times. May 23, 1989. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  13. ^ McManis, Sam (May 23, 1989). "Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  14. ^ "Jordan 2nd in Close MVP Vote". Chicago Tribune. May 23, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Robinson, John (February 1, 1989). "Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad". Deseret News. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. ^ McManis, Sam (February 9, 1989). "Magic Has Partial Tear of Hamstring: He May Be Sidelined for at Least a Week; Lakers Fall". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  19. ^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  20. ^ "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights". Sun Sentinel. February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  23. ^ McManis, Sam (May 4, 1989). "Lakers Shake Their Lethargy, Finish Sweep: Win Over Portland Extends First-Round Streak to 18-0". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "Abdul-Jabbar Leads Lakers to Sweep". The Washington Post. May 4, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. ^ "Lakers 116, Trail Blazers 108". United Press International. May 4, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ Anstine, Dennis (May 14, 1989). "Lakers 97, Sonics 95". United Press International. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  28. ^ McManis, Sam (May 15, 1989). "NBA Playoffs: Deep Down, Lakers Knew They Could: L.A., Losing by 29, Runs to 97-95 Win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  29. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 15, 1989). "Jordan Digs a Deeper Hole for Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  30. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  31. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 29, 1989). "Lakers Make a Full Sweep Into Final". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  32. ^ McManis, Sam (May 29, 1989). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Sundown Comes Early in Phoenix: Lakers Sweep Into NBA Finals Again, 122-117". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Aldridge, David (May 29, 1989). "Lakers 11-0 and In Finals". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  34. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference finals: Suns vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Can Lakers sweep Pistons in Finals?". Vidette-Messenger of Porter County. Valparaiso, Indiana. June 6, 1989. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ McManis, Sam (June 9, 1989). "NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Lakers Caught with Guards Down: Magic Joins Scott on Sideline After Straining Hamstring in 108-105 Game 2 Loss to Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  37. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 10, 1989). "BASKETBALL; Johnson's Leg Injury Hurts Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  38. ^ McManis, Sam (June 10, 1989). "NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Magic Says Pain Won't Stop Him: Laker Star Would Play Despite Injury, But Not at Risk of Career". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  39. ^ "If Magic rests, Rivers must get into flow". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. June 11, 1989. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ Barnes, Mike (June 13, 1989). "Pistons Win NBA Title". United Press International. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  41. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  42. ^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  43. ^ Smith, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Sweep to NBA Title". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  44. ^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  45. ^ "Lakers Free Agent Campbell Signs Deal with Timberwolves". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 13, 1989. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  46. ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 1989. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  47. ^ McManis, Sam (November 21, 1989). "THE NBA: Campbell Gets Shot(s) With Timberwolves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  48. ^ Brady, Frank (May 16, 1990). "Suns Rally to Beat Lakers, Earning Trip to West Final". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  49. ^ McManis, Sam (May 16, 1990). "Lakers Let Season Trickle Away: Game 5: Magic Johnson Scores 43, But the Suns Come Back from 15-Point Deficit to Clinch Series, 106-103". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  50. ^ "NBA Playoffs: Shocked Lakers Bounced from Playoffs by Johnson-Led Suns". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 16, 1990. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  51. ^ "1990 NBA Western Conference semifinals: Suns vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 21, 2023.