1988–89 Atlanta Hawks season explained

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Hawks' 40th season in the NBA and 21st season in Atlanta.^[1] After falling into the second round of the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Hawks signed free agent and All-Star forward Moses Malone, who won a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1983 NBA Finals,^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} acquired All-Star guard Reggie Theus from the Sacramento Kings,^{[7] [8] [9] [10]} and signed undrafted rookie forward Duane Ferrell during the off-season.^{[11] [12]} However, Kevin Willis was out with a broken foot suffered during the preseason, and was later on suspended indefinitely for missing functions and rehabilitation therapy.^{[13] [14] [15] [16]}

After winning their first three games of the season, the Hawks struggled losing six of their next nine games, leading to a 6–6 start. However, the team went on a six-game winning streak between November and December,^{[17] [18]} posting an 11–3 record in December, and holding a 28–19 record at the All-Star break.^[19] The Hawks posted a nine-game winning streak in April,^[20] winning 12 of their final 14 games, finishing third in the Central Division with a 52–30 record, and reaching 50 wins for the fourth consecutive season.^[21]

Dominique Wilkins averaged 26.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Malone averaged 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, and Theus provided the team with 15.8 points, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. In addition, Doc Rivers provided with 13.6 points, 6.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game, while John Battle contributed 9.5 points per game off the bench, Cliff Levingston averaged 9.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and Jon Koncak contributed 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.^[22] Wilkins and Malone were both selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, which was Malone's final All-Star appearance.^{[23] [24] [25] [26] [27]}

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hawks faced off against the 5th-seeded Milwaukee Bucks for the second consecutive year. However, after winning Game 1 at home, 100–92,^{[28] [29] [30]} the Hawks would lose to the Bucks in five games.^{[31] [32] [33] [34]} Following the season, Theus was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Orlando Magic.^{[35] [36] [37] [38] [39]}

One notable highlight of the season was the Hawks defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 135–93 at The Omni on April 5, 1989; the Hawks got off to an 18–2 lead early in the game, and held a 78–37 lead at halftime. At one point during the game, they led by 50 points with a 130–80 lead late in the fourth quarter, when Hawks forward Antoine Carr hit a technical free throw with 2 minutes and 53 seconds left in the game.^{[40] [41] [42] [43]}

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1988 NBA draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
2	44				Oregon
3	54		C
3	68		PF		Baylor

Roster

Roster Notes

• Power forward Kevin Willis was suspended indefinitely for missing functions and rehabilitation therapy. Willis was out with a broken foot sustained during the preseason.

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1988-89 NBA Records
width=100	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

|-

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| April 27| Milwaukee| W 100–92| Dominique Wilkins (28)| Moses Malone (13)| Doc Rivers (10)| Omni Coliseum
14,541| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 29| Milwaukee| L 98–108| Dominique Wilkins (32)| Moses Malone (8)| Doc Rivers (8)| Omni Coliseum
15,742| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 2| @ Milwaukee| L 113–117 (OT)| Dominique Wilkins (30)| Jon Koncak (11)| Reggie Theus (5)| Bradley Center
18,469| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| May 5| @ Milwaukee| W 113–106 (OT)| Malone, Wilkins (24)| Moses Malone (17)| Spud Webb (7)| Bradley Center
18,633| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5| May 7| Milwaukee| L 92–96| Moses Malone (25)| Moses Malone (16)| Rivers, Theus (6)| Omni Coliseum
16,220| 2–3|-

Player statistics

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dominique Wilkins	80	80	37.5	46.4	27.6	84.4	6.9	2.6	1.5	0.7	26.2
Moses Malone	81	80	35.5	49.1	0.0	78.9	11.8	1.4	1.0	1.2	20.2
Reggie Theus	82	82	30.7	46.6	29.3	85.1	3.0	4.7	1.3	0.2	15.8
Doc Rivers	76	76	32.4	45.5	34.7	86.1	3.8	6.9	2.4	0.5	13.6
John Battle	82	0	20.4	45.7	32.4	81.5	1.7	2.4	0.5	0.1	9.5
Cliff Levingston	80	52	27.3	52.8	20.0	69.6	6.2	0.9	1.2	0.9	9.2
Antoine Carr	78	12	19.1	48.0	0.0	85.5	3.5	1.2	0.4	0.8	7.5
Jon Koncak	74	22	20.7	52.4	0.0	55.3	6.1	0.8	0.7	1.3	4.7
Spud Webb	81	6	15.0	45.9	4.5	86.7	1.5	3.5	0.9	0.1	3.9
Duane Ferrell	41	0	5.6	42.2	0.0	68.2	1.0	0.2	0.2	0.1	2.4
Ray Tolbert	50	0	6.8	42.6	0.0	62.2	1.8	0.3	0.3	0.3	2.1
Dudley Bradley	38	0	7.0	32.6	25.8	50.0	0.8	0.6	0.4	0.1	1.9
Pace Mannion	5	0	3.6	33.3	0.0	0.0	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.0	0.8

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dominique Wilkins	5	5	42.4	44.8	29.4	71.1	5.4	3.4	0.8	1.6	27.2
Moses Malone	5	5	39.4	50.0	100.0	78.4	12.0	1.8	1.4	0.8	21.0
Doc Rivers	5	5	38.2	38.6	31.6	70.8	4.8	6.8	1.4	0.4	13.4
Jon Koncak	5	5	38.4	62.1	0.0	84.8	9.6	0.8	0.4	1.6	12.8
John Battle	5	0	23.6	43.5	0.0	75.0	2.6	3.2	0.4	0.0	9.8
Reggie Theus	5	5	25.4	36.8	0.0	75.0	1.4	4.8	0.2	0.0	7.4
Antoine Carr	5	0	16.2	61.9	0.0	72.7	1.6	1.4	0.0	0.8	6.8
Cliff Levingston	5	0	15.4	27.3	100.0	90.0	3.4	0.4	0.0	0.6	3.2
Spud Webb	5	0	11.0	27.3	0.0	100.0	0.8	3.0	0.8	0.0	1.6

Player Statistics Citation:^[44]

Awards and records

• Dominique Wilkins, All-NBA Third Team

See also

• 1988-89 NBA season

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1989.html 1988-89 Atlanta Hawks
2. News: Sports People; Hawks Sign Malone . The New York Times . August 17, 1988 . February 10, 2022.
3. News: Malone Signs a Three-Year Contract with Atlanta Hawks . Los Angeles Times . August 17, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
4. News: Cotton . Anthony . Malone and Hawks Make It Official . The Washington Post . August 17, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
5. News: Associated Press . Hawks Hire Moses to Lead Them to Promised Land . Deseret News . August 17, 1988 . June 20, 2023.
6. News: Cotton . Anthony . AT HOME: Moses Malone Likes What He Sees in Atlanta; Hawks Like What They See . Los Angeles Times . November 13, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
7. News: Associated Press . Bulls Swap Oakley for Knicks' Cartwright; Theus Joins Hawks . Deseret News . June 28, 1988 . January 31, 2023.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. News: Smith . Sam . Theus Complements Hawks' Stars . Chicago Tribune . November 17, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
11. News: McKee . Sandra . NBA Dream Is a Reality for Duane Ferrell . Los Angeles Times . December 2, 1990 . June 22, 2023.
12. News: Goldstein . Alan . Playing Time Up, Anxiety Down for Hawks' Ferrell . The Baltimore Sun . February 17, 1992 . June 22, 2023.
13. News: Cooper . Barry . 1. Atlanta Hawks . Orlando Sentinel . November 4, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
14. News: Hawks Suspend Willis . Deseret News . December 7, 1988 . March 21, 2023.
15. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Willis Is Suspended . The New York Times . December 8, 1988 . February 10, 2022.
16. News: Injured Forward Kevin Willis Was Suspended Indefinitely... . Los Angeles Times . December 8, 1988 . December 6, 2022.
17. News: Associated Press . NBA Roundup: Malone Scores 27 as Atlanta Beats Boston . Los Angeles Times . December 8, 1988 . June 22, 2023.
18. Web site: Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 7, 1988 . Basketball-Reference . June 22, 2023.
19. Web site: NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 . Basketball-Reference . December 6, 2022.
20. Associated Press . Mavericks Stay in the Playoff Chase with Blazers . The Register-Guard . April 22, 1989 . 2C . May 5, 2024.
21. Web site: 1988–89 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
22. Web site: 1988–89 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
23. News: Goldaper . Sam . BASKETBALL; Jackson and Ewing Are Chosen as All-Stars . The New York Times . February 1, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
24. 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.
25. News: NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
26. News: NBA.com Staff . 1989 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 21, 2023.
27. Web site: 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 . Basketball-Reference . February 10, 2022.
28. News: Associated Press . Bucks Control Pace, But Hawks Pull It Out . The New York Times . April 28, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
29. News: Inside . The New York Times . April 28, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
30. News: Moffit . David . Atlanta 100, Milwaukee 92 . United Press International . April 28, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
31. News: Moffit . David . Milwaukee 96, Atlanta 92 . United Press International . May 7, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
32. News: Associated Press . Bucks Defeat Hawks and Clinch Series . The New York Times . May 8, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
33. News: Hafner . Dan . NBA Playoffs: Bucks Defeat Hawks, Take on Pistons Next . Los Angeles Times . May 8, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
34. Web site: 1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bucks vs. Hawks . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
35. 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.
36. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers . Los Angeles Times . June 16, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
37. News: Cotton . Anthony . Green Tabbed No. 1, Mahorn No. 2 in NBA Expansion Draft . The Washington Post . June 16, 1989 . January 31, 2023.
38. News: Smith . Sam . Magic Day for Vincent, Not for Mahorn . Chicago Tribune . June 16, 1989 . July 8, 2023.
39. Web site: 1989 NBA Expansion Draft . Basketball-Reference . February 10, 2022.
40. News: Reggie Theus Scored 30 Points Wednesday Night to Send... . United Press International . April 5, 1989 . July 8, 2023.
41. Associated Press . Theus, Atlanta Rip 76ers . Ocala Star-Banner . April 6, 1989 . 8C . May 5, 2024.
42. News: NBA: Jordan Not Taking Chances in Gaining Triple-Doubles . Sun Sentinel . April 9, 1989 . July 8, 2023.
43. Web site: Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, April 5, 1989 . Basketball-Reference . July 8, 2023.
44. Web site: 1988–89 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.