1987–88 Atlanta Hawks season explained

The 1987–88 NBA season was the Hawks' 39th season in the NBA and 20th season in Atlanta, in the U.S. state of Georgia.^[1] The Hawks got off to a 6–5 start to the season, then won 16 of their next 18 games, and held a 30–15 record at the All-Star break.^[2] The team posted a 7-game winning streak between March and April,^[3] but then lost six of their final nine games, finishing third in the Central Division with a 50–32 record.^[4]

Dominique Wilkins averaged 30.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Doc Rivers averaged 14.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Wilkins and Rivers were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach Mike Fratello coaching the Eastern Conference.^{[5] [6]} In addition, Kevin Willis provided the team with 11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Randy Wittman contributed 10.0 points and 3.7 assists per game, Cliff Levingston provided with 10.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and Tree Rollins averaged 6.0 rebounds and led the team with 1.7 blocks per game. Off the bench, John Battle contributed 10.6 points per game, and Antoine Carr averaged 8.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.^[7]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hawks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.^{[8] [9]} In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they took a 3–2 series lead over Larry Bird and the top-seeded Boston Celtics.^{[10] [11] [12]} However, the Hawks would lose Game 6 at The Omni, 102–100,^{[13] [14] [15]} then lose Game 7 at the Boston Garden, 118–116, thus losing the series in seven games.^{[16] [17] [18]} This was the closest Wilkins had ever gotten to advancing to the conference finals.

Following the season, Wittman was traded to the Sacramento Kings,^{[19] [20] [21]} and Rollins signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.^{[22] [23] [24]}

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1987 NBA draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	21				DePaul
2	42				Wagner
2	44				Alabama
3	67
4	90
5	113
6	136
7	159

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1987-88 NBA Records
width=100	Team	ATL	BOS	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIL	NJN	NYK	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	2–4	2–3	5–1	2–0	1–1	2–4	2–0	1–1	4–2	2–0	0–2	3–3	5–0	3–3	6–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–3
Boston	4–2	–	3–3	2–3	2–0	0–2	3–3	2–0	1–1	5–0	2–0	0–2	3–3	5–1	5–1	4–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	5–1
Chicago	3–2	3–3	–	3–3	0–2	1–1	2–4	2–0	2–0	3–3	2–0	1–1	5–1	5–1	3–2	4–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–3
Cleveland	1–5	3–2	3–3	–	1–1	1–1	1–5	0–2	1–1	4–2	1–1	1–1	2–4	5–1	2–4	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	6–0
Dallas	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	–	3–3	1–1	4–1	4–2	2–0	5–0	1–4	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	5–0	3–2	5–1	5–1	3–2	3–3	1–1
Denver	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–3	–	1–1	4–1	4–2	1–1	5–0	3–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	3–2	2–3	4–2	5–1	4–1	2–4	2–0
Detroit	4–2	3–3	4–2	5–1	1–1	1–1	–	2–0	1–1	3–3	1–1	0–2	4–2	5–1	4–2	4–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–2
Golden State	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–4	1–4	0–2	–	0–5	0–2	3–3	0–6	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–4	1–5	2–3	3–2	1–5	1–4	0–2
Houston	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–4	2–4	1–1	5–0	–	2–0	3–2	1–4	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–1	4–1	4–2	2–4	3–2	3–3	2–0
Indiana	2–4	0–5	3–3	2–4	0–2	1–1	3–3	2–0	0–2	–	1–1	1–1	3–3	6–0	2–3	2–4	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–4
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–5	0–5	1–1	3–3	2–3	1–1	–	1–5	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–4	0–6	3–2	0–5	1–5	1–4	0–2
L.A. Lakers	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–3	2–0	6–0	4–1	1–1	5–1	–	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	5–1	3–3	4–1	5–0	4–2	4–1	1–1
Milwaukee	3–3	3–3	1–5	4–2	0–2	1–1	2–4	2–0	0–2	3–3	2–0	2–0	–	3–2	3–3	2–4	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–1
New Jersey	0–5	1–5	1–5	1–5	1–1	0–2	1–5	0–2	1–1	0–6	2–0	0–2	2–3	–	3–3	2–4	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–6
New York	3–3	1–5	2–3	4–2	1–1	1–1	2–4	2–0	1–1	3–2	2–0	0–2	3–3	3–3	–	3–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–3
Philadelphia	0–6	2–4	2–4	2–3	1–1	0–2	1–4	1–1	1–1	4–2	1–1	0–2	4–2	4–2	3–3	–	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–3
Phoenix	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–5	2–3	0–2	4–2	1–4	0–2	4–2	1–5	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	–	0–6	3–2	2–3	2–4	2–3	0–2
Portland	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	3–2	1–1	5–1	1–4	2–0	6–0	3–3	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	6–0	–	4–1	5–0	3–3	1–4	2–0
Sacramento	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–5	2–4	0–2	3–2	2–4	0–2	2–3	1–4	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–3	1–4	–	3–3	1–4	1–5	0–2
San Antonio	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–5	1–5	1–1	2–3	4–2	0–2	5–0	0–5	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–2	0–5	3–3	–	3–2	3–3	0–2
Seattle	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–3	1–4	1–1	5–1	2–3	1–1	5–1	2–4	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–2	3–3	4–1	2–3	–	1–4	2–0
Utah	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–3	4–2	0–2	4–1	3–3	1–1	4–1	1–4	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	3–2	4–1	5–1	3–3	4–1	–	2–0
Washington	3–3	1–5	3–3	0–6	1–1	0–2	2–3	2–0	0–2	4–2	2–0	1–1	1–4	6–0	3–3	3–3	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| November 6, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| Washington| W 114–97| Wilkins (34)| Wilkins (14)| Webb (10)| The Omni
16,064| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| November 7, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| Cleveland| W 113–105| Rivers (23)| Willis (11)| Rivers (9)| The Omni
11,455| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| November 10, 1987
8:00p.m. EST| Chicago| L 95–105| Wilkins (35)| Koncak (10)| Webb (10)| The Omni
16,451| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5| November 15, 1987
8:30p.m. EST| @ Milwaukee| L 103–112| Willis (21)| Willis (10)| Rivers,
Wilkins (5)| MECCA Arena
11,052| 4–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 8| November 20, 1987
8:30p.m. EST| @ Chicago| L 92–94| Wilkins (36)| Koncak (15)| Rivers (9)| Chicago Stadium
18,423| 5–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 10| November 25, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| @ Boston| L 102–117| Wilkins (22)| Willis (14)| Rivers (9)| Boston Garden
14,890| 6–4|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 13| December 1, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| Boston| W 120–106| Wilkins (22)| Carr,
Rollins (10)| Webb (9)| The Omni
16,451| 8–5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 14| December 3, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| @ Washington| W 102–94| Willis (23)| Rollins (16)| Levingston (6)| Capital Centre
6,464| 9–5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 21| December 18, 1987
9:00p.m. EST| @ Milwaukee| W 94–87| Wilkins (23)| Koncak (11)| Webb (8)| MECCA Arena
11,052| 15–6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 22| December 19, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| Utah| W 130–124 (OT)| Wilkins (46)| Rollins (12)| Battle (6)| The Omni
12,215| 16–6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 26| December 29, 1987
8:30p.m. EST| @ Chicago| W 108–98| Rivers (29)| Rivers (14)| Rivers (12)| Chicago Stadium
18,676| 19–7|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 27| December 30, 1987
7:30p.m. EST| @ Cleveland| W 117–110| Wilkins (33)| Koncak (8)| Rivers (14)| Richfield Coliseum
19,029| 20–7|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 29| January 5, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| Detroit| W 81–71| Levingston (15)| Levingston (14)| Rivers (7)| The Omni
16,451| 22–7|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 30| January 6, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| @ Detroit| L 87–90| Rivers (22)| Rollins (7)| Rivers (6)| Pontiac Silverdome
25,749| 22–8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 31| January 8, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Cleveland| W 101–97| Wilkins (34)| Levingston (11)| Wilkins (8)| The Omni
11,408| 23–8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 32| January 9, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Denver| W 113–105| Wilkins (33)| Koncak (12)| Rivers (11)| The Omni
14,986| 24–8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 34| January 14, 1988
9:30p.m. EST| @ Denver| L 112–115| Wilkins (34)| Levingston (10)| Rivers (8)| McNichols Sports Arena
14,944| 25–9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 35| January 16, 1988
1:30p.m. EST| @ Dallas| W 101–98| Wilkins (34)| Wilkins (14)| Rivers (13)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 26–9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 37| January 19, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| Chicago| W 106–94| Wilkins (41)| Levingston (13)| Wittman (12)| The Omni
16,451| 27–10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 38| January 21, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| @ Cleveland| W 101–93| Wilkins (28)| Rollins (8)| Rivers (12)| Richfield Coliseum
10,129| 28–10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 39| January 22, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| @ Boston| L 106–124| Wilkins (23)| Koncak,
Rivers (9)| Battle (6)| Boston Garden
14,890| 28–11|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 41| January 26, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Boston| L 97–102| Wilkins (38)| Willis (15)| Rivers (12)| The Omni
16,451| 29–12|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 42| January 29, 1988
10:30p.m. EST| @ L.A. Lakers | L 107–117| Rivers (27)| Willis (12)| Rivers (9)| The Forum
17,505| 29–13|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 43| January 30, 1988
9:30p.m. EST| @ Utah| L 109–115| Wilkins (35)| Rollins (9)| Rivers (6)| Salt Palace
12,212| 29–14|-|- align="center"|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#cfc;"|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 47| February 12, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| @ Detroit| L 92–108| Wilkins (31)| Rollins (11)| Rivers (8)| Pontiac Silverdome
35,884| 31–16|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 48| February 13, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Washington| W 105–103| Wilkins (45)| Rollins (13)| Rivers (15)| The Omni
16,451| 32–16|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 49| February 15, 1988
1:30p.m. EST| @ Chicago| L 107–126| Wilkins (25)| Levingston (7)| Rivers (10)| Chicago Stadium
17,704| 32–17|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 51| February 19, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| L.A. Lakers | L 119–126 (OT) | Wilkins (38) | Levingston (16) | Rivers (15) | The Omni
16,451 | 32–19|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 56| March 1, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Detroit| L 104–117| Wilkins (50)| Rivers (8)| Rivers (8)| The Omni
16,451| 35–21|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 57| March 5, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Milwaukee| L 101–104| Wilkins (24)| Willis (15)| Rivers (7)| The Omni
16,451| 35–22|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 60| March 13, 1988
12Noon EST| @ Boston| L 100–117| Wilkins (26)| Willis (12)| Webb (5)| Boston Garden
14,890| 37–23|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 64| March 21, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Milwaukee| W 115–105| Wilkins (35)| Rollins (9)| Rivers (11)| The Omni
13,702| 40–24|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 65| March 22, 1988
8:30p.m. EST| @ Milwaukee| L 98–111| Wilkins (25)| Willis (8)| Wittman (6)| MECCA Arena
11,052| 40–25|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 66| March 24, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| @ Washington| L 91–94| Wilkins (28)| Levingston (7)| Rivers (6)| Capital Centre
13,629| 40–26|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 67| March 26, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| Cleveland| W 109–102| Wilkins (37)| Willis (10)| Rivers (9)| The Omni
16,418| 41–26|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 68| March 29, 1988
8:00p.m. EST| Dallas| W 120–106| Wilkins (40)| Willis (8)| Rivers (17)| The Omni
14,583| 42–26|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 69| March 30, 1988
7:30p.m. EST| @ Detroit| W 103–102| Wittman (20)| Rivers,
Rollins (10)| Rivers,
Wittman (6)| Pontiac Silverdome
47,692| 43–26|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 72| April 5, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| Milwaukee| W 121–110| Wilkins (39)| Wilkins (11)| Rivers (16)| The Omni
15,442| 46–26|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 74| April 9, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| Detroit| L 102–115| Wilkins (36)| Wilkins (9)| Rivers (12)| The Omni
16,451| 47–27|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 75| April 11, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| Washington| L 85–86| Wilkins (17)| Willis (18)| Battle,
Webb (5)| The Omni
10,473| 47–28|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 76| April 12, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| @ Cleveland| L 103–116| Wilkins (28)| Levingston,
Willis (5)| Rivers (7)| Richfield Coliseum
12,418| 47–29|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 81| April 22, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| Boston| W 133–106| Wilkins (35)| Willis (8)| Rivers (10)| The Omni
16,451| 50–31|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 82| April 23, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| @ Washington| L 96–106| Wilkins (19)| Willis (9)| Rivers (6)| Capital Centre
15,638| 50–32

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| April 29, 1988
7:30p.m. EDT| Milwaukee| W 110–107| Wilkins (26)| Willis (9)| Rivers (6)| The Omni
11,517| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| May 1, 1988
7:00p.m. EDT| Milwaukee| W 104–97| Wilkins (43)| Willis (10)| Rivers (8)| The Omni
11,777| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 4, 1988
8:30p.m. EDT| @ Milwaukee| L 115–123| Wilkins (22)| Wilkins (14)| Wittman (8)| MECCA Arena
11,052| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 6, 1988
8:30p.m. EDT| @ Milwaukee| L 99–105| Wilkins (31)| Willis (8)| Rivers (9)| MECCA Arena
11,052| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 8, 1988
7:00p.m. EDT| Milwaukee| W 121–111| Wilkins (33)| Wilkins (10)| Rivers (15)| The Omni
12,190| 3–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| May 11, 1988
8:30p.m. EDT| @ Boston| L 101–110| Wilkins (25)| Rivers (9)| Battle,
Rivers,
Webb (5)| Boston Garden
14,890| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 13, 1988
8:00p.m. EDT| @ Boston| L 97–108| Wilkins (22)| Rollins (9)| Rivers (6)| Boston Garden
14,890| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 15, 1988
1:00p.m. EDT| Boston| W 110–92| Wilkins (25)| Willis (13)| Webb (13)| The Omni
16,451| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| May 16, 1988
8:00p.m. EDT| Boston| W 118–109| Wilkins (40)| Rollins (12)| Rivers (22)| The Omni
16,451| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 18, 1988
8:00p.m. EDT| @ Boston| W 112–104| Willis (27)| Willis (14)| Rivers (7)| Boston Garden
14,890| 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6| May 20, 1988
1:00p.m. EDT| Boston| L 100–102| Wilkins (35)| Rollins,
Willis (11)| Webb (7)| The Omni
16,451| 3–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 7| May 22, 1988
1:00p.m. EDT| @ Boston| L 116–118| Wilkins (47)| Willis (11)| Rivers (18)| Boston Garden
14,890| 3–4|-

Player statistics

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dominique Wilkins	78	76	37.8	46.4	29.5	82.6	6.4	2.9	1.3	0.6	30.7
Doc Rivers	80	80	31.3	45.3	27.3	75.8	4.6	9.3	1.8	0.5	14.2
Kevin Willis	75	55	27.9	51.8	0.0	64.9	7.3	0.4	0.9	0.5	11.6
John Battle	67	1	18.3	45.4	39.0	75.0	1.7	2.4	0.5	0.1	10.6
Randy Wittman	82	82	29.4	47.8	0.0	79.8	2.1	3.7	0.6	0.2	10.0
Cliff Levingston	82	32	26.0	55.7	50.0	77.2	6.1	0.9	0.6	1.0	10.0
Antoine Carr	80	2	18.5	54.4	25.0	78.0	3.6	1.3	0.5	1.0	8.8
Spud Webb	82	1	16.4	47.5	5.3	81.7	1.8	4.1	0.8	0.1	6.0
Jon Koncak	49	22	21.9	48.3	0.0	61.0	6.8	0.4	0.7	1.1	5.7
Mike McGee	11	0	10.6	42.3	26.3	33.3	1.5	1.2	0.5	0.0	4.6
Tree Rollins	76	59	23.2	51.2	0.0	87.5	6.0	0.3	0.4	1.7	4.4
Leon Wood	14	0	5.6	53.3	47.4	87.5	0.4	1.4	0.3	0.0	3.4
Ennis Whatley	5	0	4.8	44.4	0.0	75.0	0.8	0.4	0.4	0.0	2.2
Scott Hastings	55	0	7.3	48.8	41.7	92.6	1.8	0.3	0.1	0.2	2.0
Chris Washburn	29	0	6.0	44.9	0.0	56.5	1.9	0.1	0.1	0.3	2.0

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dominique Wilkins	12	12	39.4	45.7	22.2	76.8	6.4	2.8	1.3	0.5	31.2
Kevin Willis	12	12	38.5	58.0	0.0	68.0	9.0	0.9	0.8	0.8	16.2
Doc Rivers	12	12	34.1	51.1	31.8	90.7	4.9	9.6	2.1	0.2	15.7
Randy Wittman	12	12	28.7	54.1	0.0	71.4	2.2	3.6	0.6	0.1	11.4
Spud Webb	12	0	17.6	43.2	25.0	91.9	1.7	4.7	0.8	0.0	8.8
Antoine Carr	12	0	17.5	52.9	0.0	64.3	3.4	1.3	0.3	1.4	6.8
John Battle	12	0	13.8	47.8	0.0	68.0	1.7	2.2	0.2	0.0	6.8
Cliff Levingston	12	0	13.6	48.0	0.0	75.0	2.2	0.6	0.4	0.4	5.0
Tree Rollins	12	12	27.8	55.6	0.0	86.7	5.9	0.5	0.8	1.6	4.4
Scott Hastings	11	0	9.4	64.3	0.0	100.0	1.5	0.3	0.3	0.1	2.4
Leon Wood	4	0	1.0	100.0	100.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.8
Chris Washburn	1	0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Player Statistics Citation:^[25]

Awards and records

• Dominique Wilkins, All-NBA Second Team

See also

• 1987-88 NBA season

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1988.html 1987-88 Atlanta Hawks
2. News: NBA Games Played on February 4, 1988 . Basketball-Reference . January 24, 2023.
3. News: Associated Press . Hawks Beat Nets, 120-94 . The New York Times . April 8, 1988 . March 11, 2022.
4. Web site: 1987–88 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. March 11, 2022.
5. News: Barnard . Bill . Today's NBA All-Star Game Will Be Homecoming of Sorts for 3 Players . Los Angeles Times . February 7, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
6. News: 1988 NBA All-Star Game: East 138, West 133 . Basketball-Reference . March 11, 2022.
7. Web site: 1987–88 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. March 11, 2022.
8. News: Love . Ian . NBA Playoff Roundup . United Press International . May 8, 1988 . March 11, 2022.
9. News: 1988 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 5: Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, May 8, 1988 . Basketball-Reference . January 24, 2023.
10. News: Moran . Malcolm . N.B.A. Playoffs; Hawks Win to Close in on Upset . The New York Times . May 19, 1988 . March 11, 2022.
11. News: Hafner . Dan . THE NBA PLAYOFFS: Hawks Hold Garden Party, Upset Celtics: Wilkins Shows Way as Atlanta Pushes Boston to the Brink . Los Angeles Times . May 19, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
12. News: Cotton . Anthony . Hawks Push Celtics Near Edge, 112-104 . The Washington Post . May 19, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
13. News: Bonk . Thomas . Celtics Rise to Occasion: A 102-100 Victory Over Hawks Sends Series to Game 7 . Los Angeles Times . May 21, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
14. News: United Press International . Celtics Stay Alive, 102-100, Force Game 7 . Orlando Sentinel . May 21, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
15. News: Goldaper . Sam . N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Celtics' Tradition Looming Larger . The New York Times . May 22, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
16. News: Waterman . Frederick . On an Afternoon of Breathtaking Basketball, Larry Bird Was... . United Press International . May 22, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
17. News: Vecsey . George . N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Celtics' Mr. Clutch Downs the Hawks . The New York Times . May 23, 1988 . March 11, 2022.
18. News: Bonk . Thomas . Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics . Los Angeles Times . May 23, 1988 . January 24, 2023.
19. News: Goldaper . Sam . N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers . The New York Times . June 29, 1988 . February 10, 2022.
20. News: Baker . Chris . 1988 NBA DRAFT: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant . Los Angeles Times . June 29, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
21. News: Smith . Sam . Theus Complements Hawks' Stars . Chicago Tribune . November 17, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
22. News: Atlanta Hawks Center Wayne Tree Rollins, a... . Chicago Tribune . August 1, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
23. News: Exner . Rich . The Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday Announced the Signing of Free-Agent... . United Press International . August 2, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
24. News: SPORTS PEOPLE; Rollins to Cavaliers . The New York Times . August 3, 1988 . February 12, 2022.
25. Web site: 1987–88 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. March 11, 2022.