1988–89 Phoenix Suns season explained

Team:Phoenix Suns
End Year:1989
Wins:55
Losses:27
Division:Pacific
Division Place:2
Conf Place:3
Coach:Cotton Fitzsimmons
Gm:Jerry Colangelo
Owner:Jerry Colangelo
Arena:Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Playoffs:Western Conference finals
(lost to Lakers 0–4)
Bbr Team:PHO
Television:KUTP
ASPN
Radio:KTAR
(Al McCoy)

The 1988–89 Phoenix Suns season was the 20th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association.[1] The Suns had the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, which they used to select Tim Perry out of Temple University, and also selected future All-Star Dan Majerle from the University of Central Michigan with the fourteenth overall pick.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] 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,[7] [8] [9] and signed free agent and one-time All-Star forward Tom Chambers.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] The Suns showed a lot of improvement over the previous season, holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break,[15] posting a nine-game winning streak between March and April, and finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record.[16] 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,[17] [18] [19] [20] while second-year point guard Kevin Johnson, who enjoyed his first full season with the Suns after a midseason trade the year before, 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,[21] [22] [23] [24] while finishing third in the league behind John Stockton and Magic Johnson in assists per game. 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.[25] Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 27-game improvement.[26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

In the playoffs, the Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in three straight games in the Western Conference First Round,[31] [32] [33] [34] and defeated the 7th-seeded Golden State Warriors four games to one in the Western Conference Semi-finals.[35] [36] [37] [38] 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.[39] [40] [41] [42] The Lakers would reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in four straight games.[43] [44] [45] [46] [47]

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.[48] [49] [50] [51] [52] 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.[53] [54] [55] [56] [57]

NBA draft

See main article: 1988 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
17Tim PerryForwardTemple
114Dan MajerleGuardCentral Michigan
228Andrew LangCenterArkansas
238Dean GarrettCenterIndiana
250Steve KerrGuardArizona
355Rodney JohnsGuardGrand 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

Roster Notes

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

1988–89 NBA records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
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
Boston1–3 — 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
Charlotte1–4 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
Chicago2–4 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
Cleveland2–4 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
Dallas1–1 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
Denver2–0 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
Detroit5–1 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 State1–1 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
Houston1–1 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
Indiana1–5 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. Clippers0–2 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. Lakers1–1 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
Miami1–1 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
Milwaukee0–6 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 Jersey1–4 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 York2–2 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
Philadelphia2–2 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
Phoenix1–1 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
Portland1–1 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
Sacramento0–2 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 Antonio1–1 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
Seattle1–1 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
Utah1–1 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
Washington1–3 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

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| April 30| Denver| W 132–114| Kevin Johnson (34)| Tom Chambers (12)| Kevin Johnson (14)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 2| @ Denver| W 130–121| Chambers, K. Johnson (32)| Tom Chambers (17)| Kevin Johnson (16)| McNichols Sports Arena
12,660| 3–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 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|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 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|-

Awards and honors

Week/Month

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Season

|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 81 || 37.1 || .471 || .326 || .851 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8.4 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 0.7 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 25.7|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 77 || 30 || 21.5 || .540 || .000 || .788 || 5.2 || 1.5 || 1.1 || 0.2 || 8.2|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 2 || 0 || 3.0 || .000 || . || . || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.0|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| * || 2 || 0 || 3.5 || .200 || .000 || 1.000^ || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 34 || 1 || 9.4 || .343 || . || .750 || 1.8 || 0.7 || 0.4 || .0 || 1.0|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 2 || 0 || 4.5 || .000 || . || .500 || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.5|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 74 || 60 || 28.6 || .503 || . || .743 || 7.3 || 0.7 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 15.9|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| * || 10 || 0 || 9.2 || .444 || .333 || .750 || 0.5 || 0.8 || 0.2 || .0 || 3.9|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 78 || 73 || 31.9 || .495 || .333 || .826 || 3.4 || 6.0 || 1.7 || 0.1 || 13.5|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 70 || 7 || 29.2 || .497 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .413† || .868 || 4.4 || 2.3 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 21.5|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 39.2 || .505 || .091 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .882^ || 4.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.7 || 0.3 || 20.4|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 26 || 0 || 6.0 || .435 || .471† || .667 || 0.7 || 0.9 || 0.3 || .0 || 2.1|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 62 || 25 || 8.5 || .513 || . || .650 || 2.4 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 0.8 || 2.6|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 54 || 5 || 25.1 || .419 || .329 || .614 || 3.9 || 2.4 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 8.6|- align="center" bgcolor=""| * || 30 || 0 || 5.5 || .276 || .000 || .429 || 1.8 || 0.3 || 0.1 || .0 || 0.6|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 62 || 15 || 9.9 || .537 || .200 || .615 || 2.1 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 4.1|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 32 || 24.6 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .653 || . || .535 || 6.7 || 0.5 || 0.4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 2.3 || 7.2|}

† – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 41.3 || .459 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .409 || .859 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 10.9 || 3.8 || 1.1 || 1.3 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 26.0|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 25.8 || .523 || . || .760 || 7.1 || 2.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 2.0 || 0.3 || 9.1|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 8 || 0 || 9.9 || .429 || . || .500 || 1.9 || 0.1 || 0.6 || .0 || 0.9|- align="center" bgcolor="f0f0f0"| || 9 || 0 || 14.0 || .529 || . || .864 || 5.0 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 8.1|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 31.2 || .497 || .000 || .840 || 5.8 || 5.2 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 14.1|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 0 || 32.7 || .413 || .342 || .769 || 7.3 || 2.1 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 17.8|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 41.2 || .495 || .300 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .927 || 4.3 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12.3 || 1.6 || 0.4 || 23.8|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 4 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || . || . || 1.5 || 0.3 || .0 || .0 || 0.0|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 0 || 29.3 || .438 || .286 || .792 || 4.8 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 0.3 || 14.3|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || 4 || 0 || 1.5 || .333 || . || . || 0.8 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.5|- align="center" bgcolor=""| || 4 || 0 || 4.3 || .500 || . || .000 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 1.0|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 18.9 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .640 || . || .714 || 4.4 || 0.5 || 0.6 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.6 || 6.2|}

Transactions

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractFormer Team
July 5, 1988Tom ChambersSigned 5-year contract for $8.7 millionSeattle SuperSonics
December 30, 1988Mark DavisSigned two ten-day contractsMilwaukee Bucks
January 16, 1989T. R. DunnSigned two ten-day contractsDenver Nuggets
February 5, 1989T. R. DunnSigned for rest of seasonPhoenix Suns

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
April 29, 1988Alvan AdamsRetiredn/a
July 6, 1988Walter DavisFree agentDenver Nuggets
June 23, 1988Bernard ThompsonExpansion DraftCharlotte Hornets
June 30, 1988James BaileyReleasedGlaxo Verona (Italy)
June 30, 1988Jeff CookReleasedAS Monaco (France)
August 29, 1988Ron MooreReleasedn/a
December 27, 1988Winston CriteWaivedBrisbane Bullets (Australia)
January 14, 1989Mark DavisWaivedMilwaukee Bucks

Player Transactions Citation:[64]

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHX/1989.html 1988–89 Phoenix Suns
  2. 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.
  3. News: Love . Ian . The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best... . United Press International . June 29, 1988 . December 27, 2022.
  4. News: NBA Draft Lists . Chicago Tribune . June 29, 1988 . June 20, 2023.
  5. News: Top Picks for Each NBA Team Over Last Decade . The Washington Post . June 20, 2023.
  6. Web site: 1988 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
  7. News: Phoenix Suns President Jerry Colangelo, in Search... . Los Angeles Times . May 6, 1988 . June 20, 2023.
  8. News: SPORTS PEOPLE; Suns Pick Fitzsimmons . The New York Times . May 11, 1988 . March 9, 2022.
  9. News: Fitzsimmons to Coach Suns, Groom Westphal . The Washington Post . May 11, 1988 . December 28, 2022.
  10. News: The Phoenix Suns Tuesday Announced the Signing of Unrestricted... . United Press International . July 5, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
  11. News: Chambers Joins Suns . The New York Times . July 6, 1988 . February 10, 2022.
  12. News: Unrestricted Chambers Signs with the Suns . Los Angeles Times . July 6, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
  13. News: Kragthorpe . Kurt . Tom's Rich Chambers Spurns Jazz, Signs 5-Year, $9 Million Pact with Suns . Deseret News . July 6, 1988 . December 20, 2022.
  14. News: Goldaper . Sam . N.B.A. '88-'89; League Is Changing, But Lakers Are Still on Top . The New York Times . October 30, 1988 . February 29, 2024.
  15. Web site: NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 . Basketball-Reference . December 6, 2022.
  16. Web site: 1988–89 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
  17. News: Associated Press . Suns' Johnson Wins NBA's 6th Man Award . Los Angeles Times . May 8, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  18. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Johnson Is Top 6th Man . The New York Times . May 9, 1989 . March 9, 2022.
  19. News: Bailey Finishes Second in Sixth-Man Balloting . Deseret News . May 9, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  20. Web site: NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
  21. News: Times Wire Services . IN BRIEF: Suns' Johnson 'Most Improved' . Los Angeles Times . May 15, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  22. News: Sports Digest . United Press International . May 15, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  23. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Suns Guard Honored . The New York Times . May 16, 1989 . March 9, 2022.
  24. Web site: NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
  25. Web site: 1988–89 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
  26. News: Associated Press . Fitzsimmons Coach of Year . Los Angeles Times . May 25, 1989 . December 28, 2022.
  27. News: Cotton Fitzsimmons, Who Led the Phoenix Suns to the... . United Press International . May 25, 1989 . January 31, 2023.
  28. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Fitzsimmons Honored . The New York Times . May 26, 1989 . March 9, 2022.
  29. News: Around the NBA . The Washington Post . May 26, 1989 . November 6, 2023.
  30. Web site: NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
  31. News: Associated Press . NBA Playoffs Roundup: Knicks Complete Sweep with Overtime Win . Los Angeles Times . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  32. News: Associated Press . Pistons, Knicks, Suns Complete Playoff Sweeps; Bucks Take 2-1 Lead Over Hawks . Deseret News . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  33. News: Suns 130, Nuggets 121 . United Press International . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  34. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Suns . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
  35. News: Associated Press . Suns Beat Warriors to Advance . The New York Times . May 17, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  36. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . NBA PLAYOFFS: The Suns Also Rise in West as Warriors Fall, 116-104 . Los Angeles Times . May 17, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  37. News: Cobbs . Chris . Suns Carry Their Case On to a Higher Forum . The Washington Post . May 18, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  38. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Warriors vs. Suns . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
  39. News: Brown . Clifton . Lakers Make a Full Sweep Into Final . The New York Times . May 29, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  40. News: McManis . Sam . NBA PLAYOFFS: Sundown Comes Early in Phoenix: Lakers Sweep Into NBA Finals Again, 122-117 . Los Angeles Times . May 29, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  41. News: Aldridge . David . Lakers 11-0 and In Finals . The Washington Post . May 29, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
  42. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference Finals: Suns vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
  43. News: Barnes . Mike . Pistons Win NBA Title . United Press International . June 13, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  44. News: Goldaper . Sam . Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers . The New York Times . June 14, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  45. News: McManis . Sam . Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97 . Los Angeles Times . June 14, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  46. News: Smith . Sam . Pistons Sweep to NBA Title . Chicago Tribune . June 14, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  47. Web site: 1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
  48. News: Robinson . John . Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad . Deseret News . February 1, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
  49. News: McManis . Sam . 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 . February 12, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  50. News: NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
  51. News: NBA.com Staff . 1989 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 21, 2023.
  52. Web site: 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 . Basketball-Reference . February 10, 2022.
  53. News: Brown . Clifton . Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft . The New York Times . June 16, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  54. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers . Los Angeles Times . June 16, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  55. News: Cotton . Anthony . Green Tabbed No. 1, Mahorn No. 2 in NBA Expansion Draft . The Washington Post . June 16, 1989 . January 31, 2023.
  56. News: Smith . Sam . Magic Day for Vincent, Not for Mahorn . Chicago Tribune . June 16, 1989 . July 8, 2023.
  57. Web site: 1989 NBA Expansion Draft . Basketball-Reference . February 10, 2022.
  58. News: Associated Press . Suns' Garrett Lost Up to 12 Weeks . The New York Times . August 28, 1988 . March 9, 2022.
  59. News: Associated Press . Suns' Dean Garrett to Have More Surgery . Los Angeles Times . December 16, 1988 . May 23, 2023.
  60. News: McManis . Sam . Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons . Los Angeles Times . May 23, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  61. News: 1988–89 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . February 14, 2022.
  62. News: McManis . Sam . Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons . Los Angeles Times . May 23, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  63. News: 1988–89 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . February 14, 2022.
  64. Web site: 1988–89 Phoenix Suns Transactions. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.

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