The 1987–88 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 21st season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was Bernie Bickerstaff's first season with a winning percentage above .500, coaching the Sonics to a 44–38 record. However, in the 1988 NBA Playoffs, they lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Xavier McDaniel was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game.
See main article: article and 1987 NBA draft.
Seattle selected future hall of famer Scottie Pippen in the first round thanks to a pick acquired from the New York Knicks, but traded him on draft day to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice and two future conditional draft picks.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Scottie Pippen (traded to Chicago) | Central Arkansas | |||
| 1 | 9 | Alabama |
| Player | 1987–88 Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Chambers | $950,000 | |
| Xavier McDaniel | $875,000 | |
| Alton Lister | $835,000 | |
| Clemon Johnson | $502,000 | |
| Derrick McKey | $355,000 | |
| Olden Polynice | $350,000 | |
| Dale Ellis | $325,000 | |
| Sedale Threatt | $270,000 | |
| Russ Schoene | $250,000 | |
| Danny Young | $130,000 | |
| Nate McMillan | $129,000 | |
| Kevin Williams | $125,000 | |
| TOTAL | $5,096,000 |
Sources:
| 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 | — | |
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1| November 6, 1987
7:30p.m. PST| @ L.A. Lakers| L 109–113| Chambers (20)| McDaniel (9)| McMillan (12)| The Forum
17,505| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 2 || November 7 || Phoenix Suns || 96-112 || Dale Ellis (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
14,252 || 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 3| November 10, 1987
7:30p.m. PST| Dallas| L 101-117| Ellis (28)| Lister (8)| Vincent (6)| Seattle Center Coliseum
10,447| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 4 || November 12 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 123-118 || Xavier McDaniel (23) || || || HemisFair Arena
6,399 || 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 5| November 13, 1987
5:00p.m. PST| @ Dallas| W 103–95| Ellis (22)| Lister (8)| McMillan (11)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 2–3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 6 || November 15 || vs Houston Rockets || 108-106 || Dale Ellis (34) || || || The Summit
16,611 || 2–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 7 || November 18 || Portland Trail Blazers || 114-120 || Xavier McDaniel (32) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
8,461 || 3–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 8 || November 20 || Milwaukee Bucks || 97-99 || Xavier McDaniel (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
14,601 || 4–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 9 || November 21 || Washington Bullets || 103-124 || Xavier McDaniel (28) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
13,437 || 5–4|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 10| November 24, 1987
7:30p.m. PST| L.A. Lakers| W 103–85| McDaniel (34)| Liiister (13)| McMillan (10)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,634| 6–4|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 11| November 27, 1987
4:30p.m. PST| @ Boston| L 112–117| Ellis (37)| Ellis (9)| McMillan (10)| Boston Garden
14,890| 6–5|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 12 || November 28 || vs Indiana Pacers || 131-115 || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Market Square Arena
11,538 || 6–6|-|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 13 || December 1 || vs New York Knicks || 109-112 || Dale Ellis (37) || || || Madison Square Garden (IV)
11,424 || 7–6|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 14 || December 2 || vs Cleveland Cavaliers || 104-102 || Dale Ellis (25) || || || Coliseum at Richfield
6,207 || 7–7|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 15 || December 4 || vs Philadelphia 76ers || 118-105 || Tom Chambers (24) || || || The Spectrum
13,115 || 7–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 16 || December 5 || vs Washington Bullets || 99-115 || Xavier McDaniel (26) || || || Capital Centre
11,604 || 8–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 17 || December 8 || Cleveland Cavaliers || 96-107 || Dale Ellis
Xavier McDaniel
(25) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
8,520 || 9–8|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 18 || December 10 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 113-96 || Dale Ellis (20) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
5,852 || 9–9|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 19 || December 12 || Los Angeles Clippers || 95-116 || Xavier McDaniel (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
10,623 || 10–9|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 20| December 14, 1987| @ Utah| L 95–116| Ellis (29)||| Salt Palace
12,212| 10–10|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 21 || December 15 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 128-109 || Xavier McDaniel (22) || || || Memorial Coliseum
12,666 || 10–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 22 || December 17 || Sacramento Kings || 109-114 || Tom Chambers (42) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
10,238 || 11–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 23 || December 19 || vs Golden State Warriors || 102-129 || Xavier McDaniel (32) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
12,998 || 12–11|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 24| December 20, 1987
7:30p.m. PST| @ L.A. Lakers| L 94–103| Ellis (24)| McDaniel (11)| McDaniel (7)| The Forum
17,505| 12–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 25 || December 23 || vs Phoenix Suns || 102-103 || Dale Ellis (35) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,351 || 13–12|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 26| December 26, 1987| @ Denver| L 111–115| McDaniel (26)||| McNichols Sports Arena
12,403| 13–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 27| December 28, 1987| Denver| W 108–100| McDaniel (30)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
13,007| 14–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 28| December 30, 1987
7:30p.m. PST| Boston| W 111–105| Chambers (31)| Lister (12)| Vincent (9)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,850| 15–13|-|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 29 || January 2 || Philadelphia 76ers || 114-116 || Xavier McDaniel (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250 || 16–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 30 || January 5 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 126-114 || Dale Ellis (32) || || || Memorial Coliseum
12,666 || 16–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 31 || January 6 || Houston Rockets || 95-110 || Tom Chambers (46) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
11,289 || 17–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 32 || January 9 || San Antonio Spurs || 133-141 || Dale Ellis (47) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
11,565 || 18–14|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 33 || January 10 || vs Sacramento Kings || 109-108 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || ARCO Arena (I)
10,333 || 18–15|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 34 || January 13 || Golden State Warriors || 115-144 || Xavier McDaniel (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
7,909 || 19–15|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 35| January 15, 1988| Utah| W 124–105| Ellis (39)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
10,418| 20–15|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 36 || January 16 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 112-114 (OT) || Dale Ellis (41) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
8,697 || 21–15|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 37 || January 18 || Indiana Pacers || 105-115 || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
10,151 || 22–15|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 38 || January 20 || New York Knicks || 96-108 || Xavier McDaniel (41) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
11,767 || 23–15|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 39| January 22, 1988
7:30p.m. PST| Detroit| W 109–106| Ellis (47)| Lister (13)| McMillan (14)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,737| 24–15|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc| 40| January 24, 1988
12:30p.m. PST| L.A. Lakers| L 109–116| McDaniel (35)| Chambers (10)| McMillan (11)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,739| 24–16|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 41 || January 26 || vs Sacramento Kings || 100-116 || Dale Ellis (42) || || || ARCO Arena (I)
10,333 || 25–16|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 42| January 29, 1988
5:30p.m. PST| @ Dallas| L 109–117| Ellis (35)| Lister (9)| McMillan (10)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 25–17|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 43 || January 30 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 112-102 (OT) || || || Xavier McDaniel
Tom Chambers
(27) || HemisFair Arena
8,319 || 25–18|-|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 44| February 1, 1988| @ Utah| L 100–105| Ellis (40)||| Salt Palace
12,212| 25–19|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 45| February 4, 1988| Atlanta| L 109–119| Ellis (36)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,611| 25–20|- align="center"|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#cfc;"|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 46 || February 9 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 139-123 || Tom Chambers (21) || || || Memorial Coliseum
12,666 || 25–21|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 47 || February 11 || Houston Rockets || 115-120 || Tom Chambers (36) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
13,038 || 26–21|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 48 || February 13 || vs Golden State Warriors || 109-95 || Dale Ellis (28) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,502 || 26–22|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 49| February 15, 1988
6:00p.m. PST| Dallas| L 122–128 (OT)| Chambers (29)| McDaniel (7)| Vincent (12)| Seattle Center Coliseum
13,492| 26–23|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 50 || February 17 || vs Milwaukee Bucks || 115-93 || Dale Ellis (26) || || || MECCA Arena
11,052 || 26–24|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 51| February 18, 1988
4:30p.m. PST| @ Detroit| L 95–108| Chambers (24)| Polynice (6)| McMillan (9)| Pontiac Silverdome
24,482| 26–25|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 52 || February 20 || vs New Jersey Nets || 101-113 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Brendan Byrne Arena
11,137 || 27–25|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 53| February 21, 1988| @ Atlanta| L 113–129| Ellis (31)||| The Omni
15,437| 27–26|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 54| February 23, 1988| @ Chicago| L 97–104 (OT)| Ellis (34)||| Chicago Stadium
17,648| 27–27|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 55 || February 26 || Sacramento Kings || 130-133 || Dale Ellis (37) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
11,632 || 28–27|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 56 || February 27 || Golden State Warriors || 111-114 || Dale Ellis (30) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
10,752 || 29–27|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 57| March 1, 1988
7:30p.m. PST| L.A. Lakers| W 114–100| Ellis (26)| McDaniel (12)| McMillan (17)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,850| 30–27|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 58| March 4, 1988| Utah| L 110–125| Chambers (29)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
11,268| 30–28|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 59| March 5, 1988| Denver| L 102–115| Ellis (27)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
13,287| 30–29|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 60 || March 8 || vs Golden State Warriors || 116-121 (OT) || Dale Ellis (29) || || || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
11,178 || 31–29|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 61 || March 9 || vs Sacramento Kings || 97-106 || Dale Ellis (24) || || || ARCO Arena (I)
10,333 || 32–29|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 62 || March 13 || New Jersey Nets || 102-115 || Tom Chambers (25) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
9,040 || 33–29|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 63 || March 15 || vs Phoenix Suns || 111-90 || Dale Ellis (38) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,159 || 33–30|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 64 || March 17 || vs Houston Rockets || 115-106 || Tom Chambers (24) || || || The Summit
16,611 || 33–31|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 65 || March 18 || vs San Antonio Spurs || 110-118 (OT) || Xavier McDaniel (31) || || || HemisFair Arena
7,353 || 34–31|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 66| March 20, 1988| @ Denver| L 95–108| Ellis (23)||| McNichols Sports Arena
13,117| 34–32|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 67 || March 23 || Portland Trail Blazers || 108-118 || Dale Ellis (35) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250 || 35–32|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 68 || March 26 || Los Angeles Clippers || 98-131 || Dale Ellis (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
11,650 || 36–32|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 69| March 29, 1988| Chicago| W 106–103| Chambers (34)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,850| 37–32|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 70 || March 31 || San Antonio Spurs || 117-115 || Dale Ellis
Tom Chambers
(27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
9,210 || 37–33|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 71 || April 2 || Phoenix Suns || 107-151 || Xavier McDaniel (26) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
9,790 || 38–33|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72| April 5, 1988
7:30p.m. PDT| @ L.A. Lakers| L 90–94| Chambers (21)| Lister (14)| McDaniel,
McMillan (4)| The Forum
17,505| 38–34|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 73 || April 6 || Golden State Warriors || 102-114 || Derrick McKey (18) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
9,520 || 39–34|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 74 || April 8 || Portland Trail Blazers || 100-114 || Xavier McDaniel (34) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
14,438 || 40–34|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 75 || April 9 || Houston Rockets || 108-104 || Xavier McDaniel (27) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
13,584 || 40–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 76 || April 13 || Los Angeles Clippers || 92-113 || Xavier McDaniel (23) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced || 41–35|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"| 77| April 15, 1988
7:30p.m. PDT| Dallas| W 115–88| Lister (19)| Lister,
McDaniel (7)| McMillan (8)| Seattle Center Coliseum
12,576| 42–35|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"|| 78 || April 16 || vs Phoenix Suns || 121-119 (OT) || Sedale Threatt (31) || || || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,406 || 42–36|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 79| April 19, 1988| @ Denver| L 114–134| Chambers (29)||| McNichols Sports Arena
14,478| 42–37|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 80 || April 20 || Phoenix Suns || 98-121 || Dale Ellis (24) || || || Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced || 43–37|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 81| April 22, 1988| Utah| L 109–110| Ellis (20)||| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250| 43–38|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"|| 82 || April 24 || vs Los Angeles Clippers || 100-109 || Russ Schoene
Tom Chambers
(20) || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Not announced || 44–38
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 29, 1988| @ Denver| L 123–126| Chambers (29)| McDaniel (10)| McDaniel,
McMillan (8)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,022| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| May 1, 1988| @ Denver| W 111–91| Ellis (24)| McDaniel (17)| McMillan (6)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,022| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"| 3| May 3, 1988| Denver| L 114–125| Chambers (34)| McDaniel (12)| McMillan (9)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| May 5, 1988| Denver| W 127–117| McDaniel (27)| McKey (7)| Young (8)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5| May 7, 1988| @ Denver| L 96–115| Chambers (23)| Lister (8)| McDaniel (5)| McNichols Sports Arena
16,040| 2–3
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 82 | 32.7 | .448 | .303 | .807 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.1 | .6 | 20.4 | ||
| 75 | 73 | 37.2 | .503 | .413 | .767 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 1.0 | .1 | 25.8 | ||
| 74 | 26 | 9.8 | .467 | .000 | .688 | 2.4 | .2 | .2 | .3 | 1.6 | ||
| 82 | 55 | 22.1 | .504 | .500 | .606 | 7.6 | .7 | .3 | 1.7 | 5.6 | ||
| 78 | 77 | 34.7 | .488 | .280 | .715 | 6.6 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .7 | 21.4 | ||
| 82 | 4 | 20.8 | .491 | .367 | .772 | 4.0 | 1.3 | .9 | .8 | 8.5 | ||
| 82 | 82 | 29.9 | .474 | .375 | .707 | 4.1 | 8.6 | 2.1 | .6 | 7.6 | ||
| 82 | 0 | 13.2 | .465 | .000 | .639 | 4.0 | .4 | .4 | .3 | 4.1 | ||
| 81 | 2 | 12.0 | .458 | .293 | .810 | 2.4 | .7 | .5 | .2 | 6.0 | ||
| 26 | 0 | 13.6 | .519 | .143 | .833 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | .2 | 7.5 | ||
| 43 | 0 | 12.7 | .474 | .385 | .767 | 1.1 | 3.2 | .5 | .1 | 4.5 | ||
| 80 | 9 | 13.6 | .442 | .143 | .844 | 1.6 | 1.2 | .8 | .1 | 6.3 | ||
| 77 | 0 | 12.3 | .408 | .286 | .811 | 1.0 | 2.8 | .7 | .0 | 3.2 |
1. Statistics with the SuperSonics.
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 25.8 | .549 | .000 | .829 | 6.2 | 2.2 | .6 | .2 | 25.8 | |||
| 5 | 34.4 | .482 | .250 | .724 | 4.6 | 3.0 | .6 | .4 | 20.8 | |||
| 5 | 7.8 | .429 | .000 | .500 | 1.4 | .0 | .2 | .2 | 1.4 | |||
| 5 | 15.4 | .706 | .000 | .800 | 5.8 | 1.0 | .2 | 1.0 | 5.6 | |||
| 5 | 36.0 | .556 | .500 | .500 | 9.6 | 5.0 | .6 | .2 | 21.2 | |||
| 5 | 21.8 | .632 | .333 | .588 | 4.0 | 1.6 | .6 | 1.0 | 12.0 | |||
| 5 | 25.4 | .343 | .000 | .643 | 4.2 | 6.6 | .4 | .6 | 6.6 | |||
| 5 | 13.2 | .455 | .000 | .000 | 1.6 | .0 | .6 | .0 | 2.0 | |||
| 5 | 7.8 | .583 | .500 | .000 | 1.4 | .4 | .2 | .0 | 3.2 | |||
| 5 | 16.0 | .412 | .000 | 1.000 | 2.2 | 2.2 | .2 | .0 | 6.4 | |||
| 5 | 14.0 | .438 | .000 | .000 | 1.6 | 1.8 | .6 | .0 | 2.8 | |||
| 5 | 19.0 | .524 | .000 | 1.000 | 2.0 | 3.8 | .4 | .4 | 6.4 |
| Players Added Via draft Via free agency Via trade
| Players Lost Via free agency Via trade
Via waiver |
| October 16, 1987 | To Seattle SuperSonics Sam Vincent Scott Wedman | To Boston Celtics Conditional 1988 second round pick | |
| February 25, 1988 | To Seattle SuperSonics Sedale Threatt | To Chicago Bulls Sam Vincent |
| Player | Signed | Former team | |
| October 7, 1987 | Mississippi Jets |
| Player | Left | New team | |
| November 10, 1987 | Portland Trail Blazers | ||
| December 6, 1987 | (Suspended/Retired) |
2. Received a conditional 1990 second round pick as compensation.
3. Suspended on December 6, 1987 due to failed mandatory drug counseling; later retired altogether.