Misplaced Pages

1988–89 Phoenix Suns season

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from 1988-89 Phoenix Suns season) NBA team season

NBA professional basketball team season
1988–89 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachCotton Fitzsimmons
General managerJerry Colangelo
Owner(s)Jerry Colangelo
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record55–27 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishWestern Conference finals
(lost to Lakers 0–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKUTP
ASPN
RadioKTAR
(Al McCoy)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

The 1988–89 Phoenix Suns season was the 20th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns had the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, where they selected Tim Perry out of Temple University, and also selected Dan Majerle from the University of Central Michigan with the fourteenth overall pick. During the off-season, the Suns fired head coach John Wetzel, and replaced him with director of player personnel (and former head coach) Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached the team for the '70–'71 and '71–'72 seasons, and signed free agent and one-time All-Star forward Tom Chambers.

The Suns showed a lot of improvement over the previous season, holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break, posting a nine-game winning streak between March and April, and finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Chambers led a triplet of Suns who averaged 20 points or more for the season, with Chambers averaging 25.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In addition, sixth man Eddie Johnson averaged 21.5 points per game off the bench, and earned the season's Sixth Man of the Year Award, while second-year point guard Kevin Johnson provided the team with 20.4 points, 12.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and earned the Most Improved Player of the Year Award. Second-year forward Armen Gilliam averaged 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 13.5 points, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game, Majerle provided with 8.6 points per game in only 54 games, Tyrone Corbin contributed 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Mark West provided with 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 27-game improvement.

In the playoffs, the Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in three straight games in the Western Conference First Round, and defeated the 7th-seeded Golden State Warriors four games to one in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The Suns saw their playoff fortunes reverse in the Western Conference Finals, when they met the season's MVP Magic Johnson, and the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, getting swept four games to zero. The Lakers would reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in four straight games.

Chambers was the only member of the team to be selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, which was his second All-Star appearance. At season's end, Chambers and Johnson were both members of the All-NBA Second Team. Following the season, Corbin was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA draft

Main article: 1988 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 Tim Perry Forward  United States Temple
1 14 Dan Majerle Guard  United States Central Michigan
2 28 Andrew Lang Center  United States Arkansas
2 38 Dean Garrett Center  United States Indiana
2 50 Steve Kerr Guard  United States Arizona
3 55 Rodney Johns Guard  United States Grand Canyon

The Suns used their first-round pick to select power forward Tim Perry from Temple. Perry averaged 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in four years with the Owls. In his first three years with the Suns, Perry would average 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game playing in a limited role. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Perry averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After the season, he was traded, alongside Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang, to the Philadelphia 76ers for superstar forward Charles Barkley.

The Suns received the 14th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select swingman Dan Majerle from Central Michigan. Majerle averaged 21.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in four years with the Chippewas. Majerle would spend his first seven seasons with the Suns, appearing in three All-Star games before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995. He would return to play for the Suns in the 2001–02 season before retiring. His number 9 jersey was retired by the franchise in 2003.

The Suns received the 28th pick from a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1988. With the pick they would select center Andrew Lang from Arkansas. Lang averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in four years with the Razorbacks. Like Perry, Lang played a limited role in his first three seasons, averaging 3.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Lang averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, before being traded to the 76ers.

In 1987, the Suns traded their second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Eddie Johnson. The pick was then traded to the New York Knicks and then to the Detroit Pistons, who selected small forward Fennis Dembo with the 30th pick.

The Suns received the 38th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select center Dean Garrett from Indiana. Garrett averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in two years with the Hoosiers. Garrett suffered a fractured foot before appearing in any games, and missed the entire season. He was waived before the start of the 1989–90 season without appearing in any games for the franchise.

The Suns received the 50th pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. With the pick they would select guard Steve Kerr from Arizona. Kerr averaged 11.2 points and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Wildcats. Kerr would spend most of his rookie season on the injured reserve, averaging 2.1 points per game in 26 games, before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989.

The Suns used their third-round pick to select point guard Rodney Johns from Grand Canyon. Johns averaged 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in two years with the Antelopes. The Suns signed Johns to a contract on September 27, but he was waived on November 1 before the start of the season.

Roster

1988–89 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 24 Chambers, Tom 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1959–06–21 Utah
F 23 Corbin, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–31 DePaul
G 25 Dunn, T. R. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1955–02–01 Alabama
C – Garrett, Dean Injured (IN) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–11–27 Indiana
F 44 Gattison, Kenny 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1964–05–23 Old Dominion
F 35 Gilliam, Armen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–28 UNLV
G 14 Hornacek, Jeff 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–03 Iowa State
F 8 Johnson, Eddie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–05–01 Illinois
G 7 Johnson, Kevin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–03–04 California
G 4 Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–27 Arizona
C 28 Lang, Andrew 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1966–06–28 Arkansas
G 9 Majerle, Dan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–09–09 Central Michigan
F 45 Nealy, Ed 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1960–02–19 Kansas State
F/C 34 Perry, Tim 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–06–04 Temple
C 41 West, Mark 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1960–11–05 Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 5, 1989

Roster Notes

  • Rookie center Dean Garrett missed the entire season due to a fractured foot, and never played for the Suns.

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division 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
# Western Conference
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

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 —

Playoffs

Game log

1989 playoff game log
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 28 Denver W 104–103 Chambers, K. Johnson (26) Tom Chambers (17) Kevin Johnson (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		1–0
2 April 30 Denver W 132–114 Kevin Johnson (34) Tom Chambers (12) Kevin Johnson (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		2–0
3 May 2 @ Denver W 130–121 Chambers, K. Johnson (32) Tom Chambers (17) Kevin Johnson (16) McNichols Sports Arena
12,660 		3–0
Conference semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 6 Golden State W 130–103 Tom Chambers (25) Eddie Johnson (9) Kevin Johnson (11) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		1–0
2 May 9 Golden State L 122–127 Eddie Johnson (35) Eddie Johnson (9) Kevin Johnson (12) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		1–1
3 May 11 @ Golden State W 113–104 Tom Chambers (31) Chambers, Corbin (14) Kevin Johnson (15) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		2–1
4 May 13 @ Golden State W 135–99 Eddie Johnson (34) Tyrone Corbin (13) Hornacek, K. Johnson (8) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		3–1
5 May 16 Golden State W 116–104 three players tied (24) Chambers, E. Johnson (11) Kevin Johnson (11) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		4–1
Conference finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 @ L.A. Lakers L 119–127 Kevin Johnson (27) Tom Chambers (10) Kevin Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 May 23 @ L.A. Lakers L 95–101 Kevin Johnson (22) Tom Chambers (10) Kevin Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–2
3 May 26 L.A. Lakers L 107–110 Tom Chambers (26) Jeff Hornacek (11) Kevin Johnson (15) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		0–3
4 May 28 L.A. Lakers L 117–122 Tom Chambers (41) Tom Chambers (13) Kevin Johnson (10) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		0–4
1989 schedule

Awards and honors

Week/Month

  • Tom Chambers was named Player of the Week for games played January 23 through January 29.
  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played March 13 through March 19.
  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Month for February.
  • Cotton Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Month for April.

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Phoenix Suns statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tom Chambers 81 81 37.1 .471 .326 .851 8.4 2.9 1.1 0.7 25.7
Tyrone Corbin 77 30 21.5 .540 .000 .788 5.2 1.5 1.1 0.2 8.2
Winston Crite 2 0 3.0 .000 . . 0.5 0.0 .0 .0 0.0
Mark Davis* 2 0 3.5 .200 .000 1.000^ 0.5 0.0 .0 .0 2.0
T. R. Dunn 34 1 9.4 .343 . .750 1.8 0.7 0.4 .0 1.0
Kenny Gattison 2 0 4.5 .000 . .500 0.5 0.0 .0 .0 0.5
Armon Gilliam 74 60 28.6 .503 . .743 7.3 0.7 0.7 0.4 15.9
Craig Hodges* 10 0 9.2 .444 .333 .750 0.5 0.8 0.2 .0 3.9
Jeff Hornacek 78 73 31.9 .495 .333 .826 3.4 6.0 1.7 0.1 13.5
Eddie Johnson 70 7 29.2 .497 .413† .868 4.4 2.3 0.7 0.1 21.5
Kevin Johnson 81 81 39.2 .505 .091 .882^ 4.2 12.2 1.7 0.3 20.4
Steve Kerr 26 0 6.0 .435 .471† .667 0.7 0.9 0.3 .0 2.1
Andrew Lang 62 25 8.5 .513 . .650 2.4 0.1 0.3 0.8 2.6
Dan Majerle 54 5 25.1 .419 .329 .614 3.9 2.4 1.2 0.3 8.6
Ed Nealy* 30 0 5.5 .276 .000 .429 1.8 0.3 0.1 .0 0.6
Tim Perry 62 15 9.9 .537 .200 .615 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.5 4.1
Mark West 82 32 24.6 .653 . .535 6.7 0.5 0.4 2.3 7.2

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Playoffs

Phoenix Suns statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tom Chambers 12 12 41.3 .459 .409 .859 10.9 3.8 1.1 1.3 26.0
Tyrone Corbin 12 12 25.8 .523 . .760 7.1 2.2 2.0 0.3 9.1
T. R. Dunn 8 0 9.9 .429 . .500 1.9 0.1 0.6 .0 0.9
Armon Gilliam 9 0 14.0 .529 . .864 5.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 8.1
Jeff Hornacek 12 12 31.2 .497 .000 .840 5.8 5.2 1.3 0.3 14.1
Eddie Johnson 12 0 32.7 .413 .342 .769 7.3 2.1 1.0 0.2 17.8
Kevin Johnson 12 12 41.2 .495 .300 .927 4.3 12.3 1.6 0.4 23.8
Andrew Lang 4 0 2.0 .000 . . 1.5 0.3 .0 .0 0.0
Dan Majerle 12 0 29.3 .438 .286 .792 4.8 1.2 1.1 0.3 14.3
Ed Nealy 4 0 1.5 .333 . . 0.8 0.0 .0 .0 0.5
Tim Perry 4 0 4.3 .500 . .000 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.3 1.0
Mark West 12 12 18.9 .640 . .714 4.4 0.5 0.6 1.6 6.2

Transactions

Trades

December 14, 1988 To Chicago Bulls
United States Craig Hodges 		To Phoenix Suns
United States Ed Nealy
1989 second-round draft pick

Free agents

Additions

Date Player Contract Former Team
July 5, 1988 Tom Chambers Signed 5-year contract for $8.7 million Seattle SuperSonics
December 30, 1988 Mark Davis Signed two ten-day contracts Milwaukee Bucks
January 16, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed two ten-day contracts Denver Nuggets
February 5, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

Date Player Reason Left New Team
April 29, 1988 Alvan Adams Retired n/a
July 6, 1988 Walter Davis Free agent Denver Nuggets
June 23, 1988 Bernard Thompson Expansion Draft Charlotte Hornets
June 30, 1988 James Bailey Released Glaxo Verona (Italy)
June 30, 1988 Jeff Cook Released AS Monaco (France)
August 29, 1988 Ron Moore Released n/a
December 27, 1988 Winston Crite Waived Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
January 14, 1989 Mark Davis Waived Milwaukee Bucks

Player Transactions Citation:

References

  1. 1988–89 Phoenix Suns
  2. Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  3. Love, Ian (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best..." United Press International. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  4. "NBA Draft Lists". Chicago Tribune. June 29, 1988. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. "Top Picks for Each NBA Team Over Last Decade". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  7. "Phoenix Suns President Jerry Colangelo, in Search..." Los Angeles Times. May 6, 1988. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  8. Hindman, Harriett (May 10, 1988). "Cotton Fitzsimmons, Who Began His NBA Coaching Career with..." United Press International. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  9. "SPORTS PEOPLE; Suns Pick Fitzsimmons". The New York Times. May 11, 1988. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  10. "Fitzsimmons to Coach Suns, Groom Westphal". The Washington Post. May 11, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. "The Phoenix Suns Tuesday Announced the Signing of Unrestricted..." United Press International. July 5, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  12. "Chambers Joins Suns". The New York Times. July 6, 1988. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  13. "Unrestricted Chambers Signs with the Suns". Los Angeles Times. July 6, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. Kragthorpe, Kurt (July 6, 1988). "Tom's Rich Chambers Spurns Jazz, Signs 5-Year, $9 Million Pact with Suns". Deseret News. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  15. Goldaper, Sam (October 30, 1988). "N.B.A. '88-'89; League Is Changing, But Lakers Are Still on Top". The New York Times. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  16. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. "1988–89 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  18. "Suns' Johnson Wins NBA's 6th Man Award". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 8, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  19. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Johnson Is Top 6th Man". The New York Times. May 9, 1989. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  20. "Bailey Finishes Second in Sixth-Man Balloting". Deseret News. May 9, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. "NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  22. "IN BRIEF: Suns' Johnson "Most Improved"". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 15, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  23. "Sports Digest". United Press International. May 15, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  24. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Suns Guard Honored". The New York Times. May 16, 1989. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  25. "NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  26. "1988–89 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  27. "Fitzsimmons Coach of Year". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 25, 1989. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  28. "Cotton Fitzsimmons, Who Led the Phoenix Suns to the..." United Press International. May 25, 1989. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  29. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Fitzsimmons Honored". The New York Times. May 26, 1989. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  30. "Around the NBA". The Washington Post. May 26, 1989. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  31. "NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  32. "NBA Playoffs Roundup: Knicks Complete Sweep with Overtime Win". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  33. "Pistons, Knicks, Suns Complete Playoff Sweeps; Bucks Take 2-1 Lead Over Hawks". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 3, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  34. "Suns 130, Nuggets 121". United Press International. May 3, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  35. "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  36. "Suns Beat Warriors to Advance". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 17, 1989. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  37. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 17, 1989). "NBA PLAYOFFS: The Suns Also Rise in West as Warriors Fall, 116-104". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  38. Cobbs, Chris (May 18, 1989). "Suns Carry Their Case On to a Higher Forum". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  39. "1989 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Warriors vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  40. Brown, Clifton (May 29, 1989). "Lakers Make a Full Sweep Into Final". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  41. 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.
  42. Aldridge, David (May 29, 1989). "Lakers 11-0 and In Finals". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  43. "1989 NBA Western Conference Finals: Suns vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  44. Barnes, Mike (June 13, 1989). "Pistons Win NBA Title". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  45. Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  46. McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  47. Smith, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Sweep to NBA Title". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  48. "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  49. Robinson, John (February 1, 1989). "Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad". Deseret News. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  50. 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.
  51. "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights". Sun Sentinel. February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  52. "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  53. "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  54. Brown, Clifton (June 16, 1989). "Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  55. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 16, 1989). "NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  56. Cotton, Anthony (June 16, 1989). "Green Tabbed No. 1, Mahorn No. 2 in NBA Expansion Draft". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  57. Smith, Sam (June 16, 1989). "Magic Day for Vincent, Not for Mahorn". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  58. "1989 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  59. "Suns' Garrett Lost Up to 12 Weeks". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 28, 1988. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  60. "Suns' Dean Garrett to Have More Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 16, 1988. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  61. ^ 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.
  62. ^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  63. "1988–89 Phoenix Suns Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
Phoenix Suns seasons
1960s
1968–69
1970s
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79
1980s
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
1990s
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
2000s
1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09
2010s
2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
2020s
2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
1988–89 NBA season by team
Eastern
Atlantic
Central
Western
Midwest
Pacific
Category: