1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season explained

The 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 43rd season of the franchise, 41st in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 29th in Los Angeles.^[1] This would also be the final season for All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agent Orlando Woolridge.^{[6] [7] [8]} The Lakers entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions. The team won 15 of their first 18 games, held a 32–15 record at the All-Star break,^[9] and finished with a 57–25 record, earning them the top playoff seed in the Western Conference.^[10]

Magic Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 12.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, won the Most Valuable Player award,^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]} and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while James Worthy averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and Byron Scott provided the team with 19.6 points and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, A.C. Green provided with 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while being selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Abdul-Jabbar contributed 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Woolridge provided with 9.7 points per game, while Mychal Thompson averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and defensive guard Michael Cooper contributed 7.3 points and 3.9 assists per game.^[16]

Johnson, Worthy and Abdul-Jabbar were all selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, while head coach Pat Riley was selected to coach the Western Conference. However, Johnson did not participate due to a hamstring injury, as Abdul-Jabbar was selected as his replacement; it would also be the final All-Star appearance for Abdul-Jabbar.^{[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]}

After going undefeated by sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,^{[23] [24] [25] [26]} then sweeping the Seattle SuperSonics, 4–0 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,^{[27] [28] [29] [30]} and sweeping the Phoenix Suns, 4–0 in the Western Conference Finals,^{[31] [32] [33] [34]} the Lakers were seen as the favorites in the 1989 NBA Finals, in a rematch against the Detroit Pistons, who they defeated in last season's NBA Finals in a hard-fought seven games.^[35] However, after injuries to their starting backcourt of Johnson and Scott,^{[36] [37] [38] [39]} the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in four straight games.

After the Finals concluded, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement at age 42, after twenty seasons in the NBA.^{[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]} Also following the season, Tony Campbell signed as a free agent with the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.^{[45] [46] [47]}

The 1988–89 season marked an end to a run of eight consecutive Western Conference finals appearances for the Lakers, the most since the 1968–69 Boston Celtics, as in the following season, the Lakers would lose in the conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns in five games.^{[48] [49] [50] [51]}

Draft picks

See main article: 1988 NBA draft.

Regular season

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

Regular season

|- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| November 4| @ Dallas| W 116-113| James Worthy (25)| Johnson & Worthy (6)| Magic Johnson (14)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 1–0|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| November 5| @ San Antonio| L 107-122| Magic Johnson (21)| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12)| Magic Johnson (14)| HemisFair Arena
15,861| 1-1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| | @ Golden State| W 114–102| Scott (23)| Green,
Johnson,
Thompson (7)| Johnson (18)| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025| 2–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 4| November 9| Denver| W 128-110| Byron Scott (33)| A.C. Green (9)| Magic Johnson (19)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 3–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 5| | Seattle| W 114–103| Scott (29)| Johnson (9)| Johnson (16)| The Forum
17,505| 4–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 6| November 15| @ Denver| W 148-146 (2OT)| James Worthy (33)| Mychal Thompson (10)| Magic Johnson (13)| McNichols Sports Arena
15,198| 5–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 7| | @ Seattle| L 98–101| Johnson (28)| Johnson,
Thompson (10)| Jhnson (6)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,576| 5–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 8| November 18| Portland| W 106-105| Magic Johnson (26)| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8)| Magic Johnson (9)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 6–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 9| | @ New York| W 110–98| Worthy (29)| Johnson (12)| Johnson (13)| Madison Square Garden
19,591| 7–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 10| November 23| @ Miami| W 138-91| Orlando Woolridge (22)| Tony Campbell (9)| Magic Johnson (17)| Miami Arena
15,008| 8–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 11| | @ Detroit| L 99–102| Scott (20)| Green (14)| Johnson (8)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454| 8–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 12| November 28| @ Philadelphia| W 109-104| Magic Johnson (32)| Magic Johnson (11)| Magic Johnson (20)| The Spectrum
18,168| 9–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 13| | Seattle| W 110–106| Johnson (40)| Thompson (11)| Johnson (10)| The Forum
17,505| 10–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 14| December 2| Utah| W 113-92| Byron Scott (32)| Magic Johnson (12)| Magic Johnson (15)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 11–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 15| December 4| Washington| W 119-112 (OT)| Magic Johnson (29)| Mychal Thompson (9)| Magic Johnson (17)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 12–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 16| December 6| @ L.A. Clippers| W 111-102| Magic Johnson (25)| Mychal Thompson (11)| Magic Johnson (21)| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352| 13–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 17| | Phoenix| W 125–111| Scott (27)| Johnson (12)| Johnson (18)| Great Western Forum
17,353| 14–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 18| December 10| @ Indiana| W 112-105| Magic Johnson (32)| Green & Johnson (11)| Magic Johnson (13)| Market Square Arena
16,912| 15–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 19| | @ Milwaukee| L 94–95| Worthy (21)| Green (6)| Johnson (12)| Bradley Center
18,633| 15–4|- style="background:#cfc;"| 20| December 13| @ Cleveland| W 111-102| Magic Johnson (31)| Magic Johnson (12)| Magic Johnson (13)| Richfield Coliseum
20,041| 16–4|- style="background:#fcc;"| 21| December 14| @ New Jersey| L 113-118 (OT)| Magic Johnson (35)| A.C. Green (10)| Magic Johnson (9)| Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049| 16–5|- style="background:#fcc;"| 22| December 16| @ Boston| L 96-110| Magic Johnson (31)| A.C. Green (16)| Magic Johnson (7)| Boston Garden
14,890| 16–6|- style="background:#fcc;"| 23| December 18| @ Washington| L 110-115| James Worthy (31)| James Worthy (7)| Magic Johnson (8)| Capital Centre
18,643| 16–7|- style="background:#fcc;"| 24| | @ Chicago| L 103–116| Johnson (31)| Thompson (9)| Johnson (12)| Chicago Stadium
18,676| 16–8|- style="background:#cfc;"| 25| December 23| Sacramento| W 120-102| Magic Johnson (27)| A.C. Green (11)| Magic Johnson (15)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 17–8|- style="background:#fcc;"| 26| December 25| @ Utah| L 87-101| Johnson & Worthy (18)| Mychal Thompson (9)| Magic Johnson (10)| Salt Palace
12,444| 17–9|- style="background:#fcc;"| 27| | @ Phoenix| L 96–111| Scott (24)| Green (11)| Johnson (8)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 17–10|- style="background:#cfc;"| 28| December 28| Philadelphia| W 128-123| Johnson & Worthy (26)| Magic Johnson (10)| Magic Johnson (18)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 18–10|- style="background:#cfc;"| 29| December 30| L.A. Clippers| W 124-109| Magic Johnson (34)| James Worthy (11)| Magic Johnson (14)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 19–10|- style="background:#fcc;"| 30| | @ Seattle| L 106–116| Green (27)| Green (11)| Johnson (9)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,645| 19–11|- style="background:#cfc;"| 31| January 4| Portland| W 133-120| Mychal Thompson (27)| Green & Thompson (11)| Magic Johnson (15)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 20–11|- style="background:#cfc;"| 32| January 6| Miami| W 118-86| Orlando Woolridge (29)| A.C. Green (9)| Magic Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 21–11|- style="background:#cfc;"| 33| January 8| San Antonio| W 126-96| 3 players tied (17)| 3 players tied (8)| Magic Johnson (17)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 22–11|- style="background:#fcc;"| 34| January 10| @ Sacramento| L 97-106| Johnson & Worthy (22)| A.C. Green (12)| Magic Johnson (12)| ARCO Arena
16,517| 22–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 35| January 13| Cleveland| W 116-95| Magic Johnson (26)| A.C. Green (15)| Magic Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 23–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 36| January 15| @ L.A. Clippers| W 116-95| Byron Scott (28)| Green & Johnson (9)| Magic Johnson (12)| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352| 24–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 37| January 16| Houston| W 124-113| James Worthy (26)| Magic Johnson (13)| Magic Johnson (18)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 25–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 38| January 18| L.A. Clippers| W 111-90| Magic Johnson (19)| James Worthy (15)| Magic Johnson (13)| Great Western Forum
17,301| 26–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 39| January 20| Dallas| W 115-99| Magic Johnson (30)| James Worthy (10)| Magic Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 27–12|- style="background:#fcc;"| 40| | New York| L 117–122| Johnson,
Worthy (26)| Worthy (14)| Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 27–13|- style="background:#cfc;"| 41| January 27| Charlotte| W 114-97| A.C. Green (24)| A.C. Green (11)| Cooper & Johnson (10)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 28–13|- style="background:#cfc;"| 42| January 29| @ Dallas| W 118-93| A.C. Green (25)| James Worthy (12)| Magic Johnson (9)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 29–13|- style="background:#cfc;"| 43| January 31| @ Houston| W 125-114| A.C. Green (24)| Magic Johnson (11)| Magic Johnson (10)| The Summit
16,611| 30–13|- style="background:#fcc;"| 44| | @ Phoenix| L 97–114| Johnson (17)| Johnson (12)| Johnson (9)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 30–14|- style="background:#cfc;"| 45| February 3| Portland| W 140-129| Magic Johnson (29)| A.C. Green (11)| Magic Johnson (8)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 31–14|- style="background:#cfc;"| 46| February 5| New Jersey| W 134-116| Magic Johnson (27)| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)| Magic Johnson (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 32–14|- style="background:#fcc;"| 47| | Golden State| L 118–121| Worthy (30)| Johnson,
Woolridge (8)| Johnson (12)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 32–15|- align="center"|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#cfc;"|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"|- style="background:#fcc;"| 48| | Detroit| L 103–111| Worthy (33)| Green (11)| Cooper (8)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 32–16|- style="background:#cfc;"| 49| February 16| @ Portland| W 110-101| James Worthy (28)| Mychal Thompson (12)| Michael Cooper (7)| Memorial Coliseum
12,848| 33–16|- style="background:#cfc;"| 50| February 19| Boston| W 119-110| Byron Scott (35)| A.C. Green (11)| Michael Cooper (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 34–16|- style="background:#cfc;"| 51| February 20| @ Sacramento| W 100-97| Byron Scott (33)| A.C. Green (10)| Cooper & Worthy (7)| ARCO Arena
16,517| 35–16|- style="background:#fcc;"| 52| February 22| @ Utah| L 79-105| Byron Scott (14)| A.C. Green (9)| Michael Cooper (7)| Salt Palace
12,444| 35–17|- style="background:#cfc;"| 53| February 24| Sacramento| W 115-103| Byron Scott (31)| A.C. Green (15)| Magic Johnson (8)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 36–17|- style="background:#cfc;"| 54| | Phoenix| W 134–122| Scott (29)| Green (11)| Johnson (19)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 37–17|- style="background:#cfc;"| 55| | Golden State| W 142–121| Johnson (35)| Johnspn (14)| Johnson (8)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 38–17|- style="background:#cfc;"| 56| March 3| Indiana| W 139-117| A.C. Green (24)| A.C. Green (11)| Magic Johnson (16)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 39–17|- style="background:#fcc;"| 57| March 5| @ Houston| L 83-88| James Worthy (19)| A.C. Green (9)| Magic Johnson (15)| The Summit
16,611| 39–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 58| March 7| @ Atlanta| W 106-97| James Worthy (24)| A.C. Green (13)| Magic Johnson (15)| Omni Coliseum
16,371| 40–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 59| March 8| @ Miami| W 127-87| Tony Campbell (19)| Mark McNamara (13)| Magic Johnson (10)| Miami Arena
15,008| 41–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 60| March 10| @ Charlotte| W 123-90| Byron Scott (25)| A.C. Green (15)| Magic Johnson (14)| Charlotte Coliseum
23,388| 42–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 61| | @ Golden State| W 126–115| Scott (32)| Abdul-Jabbar (11)| Johnson (10)| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025| 43–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 62| March 13| Houston| W 97-96| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (21)| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)| Magic Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 44–18|- style="background:#cfc;"| 63| March 17| Dallas| W 106-103| Magic Johnson (31)| A.C. Green (15)| Magic Johnson (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 45–18|- style="background:#fcc;"| 64| March 19| Atlanta| L 111-113| Magic Johnson (29)| A.C. Green (14)| Magic Johnson (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 45–19|- style="background:#fcc;"| 65| | Chicago| L 103–104| Johnson (20)| Johnson (8)| Johnson (12)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 45–20|- style="background:#cfc;"| 66| March 23| @ Sacramento| W 115-92| Magic Johnson (25)| A.C. Green (15)| Magic Johnson (14)| ARCO Arena
16,517| 46–20|- style="background:#cfc;"| 67| | Phoenix| W 118–116| Johnson (34)| Green (12)| Johnson (18)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 47–20|- style="background:#fcc;"| 68| | @ Phoenix| L 104–127| Worthy (24)| Worthy (11)| Johnson (14)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 47–21|- style="background:#cfc;"| 69| March 30| San Antonio| W 138-98| Byron Scott (35)| Magic Johnson (9)| Magic Johnson (10)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 48–21|- style="background:#fcc;"| 70| April 1| @ Denver| L 108-114 (OT)| James Worthy (25)| Magic Johnson (17)| Magic Johnson (15)| McNichols Sports Arena
17,022| 48–22|- style="background:#cfc;"| 71| | Milwaukee| W 118–117| Scott (32)| Green (10)| Johnson (11)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 49–22|- style="background:#cfc;"| 72| | @ Seattle| W 115–97| Green (33)| Green (10)| Johnson (18)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810| 50–22|- style="background:#fcc;"| 73| April 7| Utah| L 97-99| Johnson & Worthy (24)| James Worthy (9)| Magic Johnson (10)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 50–23|- style="background:#fcc;"| 74| | @ Golden State| L 116-122| Johnson (24)| Johnson (9)| Johnson (12)| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025| 50–24|- style="background:#cfc;"| 75| April 10| L.A. Clippers| W 133-116| Magic Johnson (24)| A.C. Green (9)| Magic Johnson (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 51–24|- style="background:#cfc;"| 76| April 12| @ San Antonio| W 107-100| Magic Johnson (24)| A.C. Green (12)| Magic Johnson (7)| HemisFair Arena
15,861| 52–24|- style="background:#fcc;"| 77| April 15| @ L.A. Clippers| L 107-119| Magic Johnson (26)| A.C. Green (8)| Magic Johnson (13)| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,352| 52–25|- style="background:#cfc;"| 78| April 16| Miami| W 121-108| Magic Johnson (24)| Mychal Thompson (9)| Magic Johnson (7)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 53–25|- style="background:#cfc;"| 79| April 18| Denver| W 142-118| James Worthy (26)| Magic Johnson (17)| Magic Johnson (17)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 54–25|- style="background:#cfc;"| 80| April 20| Sacramento| W 118-115| James Worthy (38)| A.C. Green (9)| Magic Johnson (16)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 55–25|- style="background:#cfc;"| 81| April 21| @ Portland| W 121-114| Magic Johnson (23)| A.C. Green (12)| Magic Johnson (10)| Memorial Coliseum
12,880| 56–25|- style="background:#cfc;"| 82| | Seattle| W 121–117| Johnson (29)| Green (10)| Johnson (21)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 57–25

Playoffs

|- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| April 27| Portland| W 128–108| Magic Johnson (30)| Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (8)| Magic Johnson (16)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 1–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2| April 30| Portland| W 113–105| Magic Johnson (35)| A.C. Green (13)| Magic Johnson (12)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 2–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| May 3| @ Portland| W 116–108| Byron Scott (25)| A.C. Green (13)| Magic Johnson (7)| Memorial Coliseum
12,880| 3–0|-|- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| | Seattle| W 113–102| Worthy (28)| Worthy (12)| Johnson (14)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 1–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2| | Seattle| W 130–108| Worthy (30)| Green (8)| Johnson (12)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 2–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| | @ Seattle| W 91–86| Worthy (20)| Johnson (9)| Johnson (14)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,541| 3–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 4| | @ Seattle| W 97–95| Worthy (33)| Green (10)| Johnson (9)| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,006| 4–0|-|- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| | Phoenix| W 127–119| Worthy (32)| Green (10)| Johnson (12)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 1–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2| | Phoenix| W 101–95| Scott (30)| Johnson (9)| Johnson (14)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 2–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| | @ Phoenix| W 110–107| Worthy (29)| Worthy (12)| Johnson (11)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 3–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 4| | @ Phoenix| W 122–117| Scott (35)| Green (11)| Johnson (20)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 4–0|-|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| | @ Detroit| L 97–109| Johnson,
Worthy (17)| Green (8)| Johnson (14)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454| 0–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| | @ Detroit| L 105–108| Cooper,
Worthy (19)| Green (9)| Johnson (9)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454| 0–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 3| | Detroit| L 110–114| Worthy (26)| Abdul-Jabbar (13)| Cooper (13)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 0–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| | Detroit| L 97–105| Worthy (40)| Green (12)| Cooper (9)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 0–4|-

• On June 28, 1989, after twenty professional seasons, Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement. On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at all the games, home and away.

Game officials

Regular season

Game	Date	Opponent	Officials
11	11–26–1988	@ Detroit	No. 30 Gary Benson, No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 4 Ed T. Rush
48	2–14–1989	Detroit	No. 21 Bill Oakes, No. 24 Bill Saar, No. 56 Don Vaden

Playoffs

Game	Round	Date	Opponent	Officials	Alternate
1	NBA Finals	6–6–1989	@ Detroit	No. 20 Jess Kersey, No. 14 Jack Madden, No. 11 Jake O'Donnell
2	NBA Finals	6–8–1989	@ Detroit	No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 10 Darell Garretson, No. 42 Hue Hollins
3	NBA Finals	6–11–1989	Detroit	No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 13 Mike Mathis, No. 4 Ed T. Rush
4	NBA Finals	6–13–1989	Detroit	No. 20 Jess Kersey, No. 14 Jack Madden, No. 12 Earl Strom

Awards and honors

• A.C. Green, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
• Magic Johnson, NBA Most Valuable Player
• Magic Johnson, NBA All-First Team

References

• Lakers on Database Basketball
• Lakers on Basketball Reference

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1989.html 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers
2. News: McManis . Sam . A LAST HURRAH: For Abdul-Jabbar, a Season of Farewells Will Be Capped Today . Los Angeles Times . April 23, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
3. News: McManis . Sam . A Fitting Farewell to Kareem: Lakers Beat Seattle in Center's Goodby . Los Angeles Times . April 24, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
4. News: Berger . Phil . Abdul-Jabbar Winds Up 20 Years to Warm Goodbye . The New York Times . June 14, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
5. News: Goldaper . Sam . BASKETBALL; As Applause Dies, Abdul-Jabbar Quietly Reflects . The New York Times . June 18, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
6. News: Edes . Gordon . Lakers to Announce Signing Today of Free Agent Orlando Woolridge . Los Angeles Times . August 10, 1988 . November 4, 2023.
7. News: Sports People; Lakers Sign Woolridge . The New York Times . August 11, 1988 . February 12, 2022.
8. News: Thomas . Pete . Lakers Boost Bench by Signing 6-9 Woolridge . Los Angeles Times . August 11, 1988 . December 20, 2022.
9. Web site: NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 . Basketball-Reference . December 6, 2022.
10. Web site: 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
11. News: Times Wire Services . Magic Named MVP 2nd Time: Jordan Edged Out in Closest Vote in 8 Years . Los Angeles Times . May 22, 1989 . February 19, 2024.
12. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Johnson Is M.V.P. for a Second Time . The New York Times . May 23, 1989 . March 7, 2022.
13. 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.
14. News: Jordan 2nd in Close MVP Vote . Chicago Tribune . May 23, 1989 . February 19, 2024.
15. Web site: NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
16. Web site: 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
17. News: Robinson . John . Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad . Deseret News . February 1, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
18. News: McManis . Sam . Magic Has Partial Tear of Hamstring: He May Be Sidelined for at Least a Week; Lakers Fall . Los Angeles Times . February 9, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
19. 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.
20. News: NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
21. News: NBA.com Staff . 1989 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 21, 2023.
22. Web site: 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 . Basketball-Reference . February 10, 2022.
23. News: McManis . Sam . Lakers Shake Their Lethargy, Finish Sweep: Win Over Portland Extends First-Round Streak to 18-0 . Los Angeles Times . May 4, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
24. News: Abdul-Jabbar Leads Lakers to Sweep . The Washington Post . May 4, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
25. News: Lakers 116, Trail Blazers 108 . United Press International . May 4, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
26. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
27. News: Anstine . Dennis . Lakers 97, Sonics 95 . United Press International . May 14, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
28. News: McManis . Sam . NBA Playoffs: Deep Down, Lakers Knew They Could: L.A., Losing by 29, Runs to 97-95 Win . Los Angeles Times . May 15, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
29. News: Goldaper . Sam . Jordan Digs a Deeper Hole for Knicks . The New York Times . May 15, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
30. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
31. News: Brown . Clifton . Lakers Make a Full Sweep Into Final . The New York Times . May 29, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
32. 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.
33. News: Aldridge . David . Lakers 11-0 and In Finals . The Washington Post . May 29, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
34. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference finals: Suns vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
35. News: Can Lakers sweep Pistons in Finals? . June 6, 1989 . Vidette-Messenger of Porter County . Valparaiso, Indiana . 11 . .
36. News: McManis . Sam . NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Lakers Caught with Guards Down: Magic Joins Scott on Sideline After Straining Hamstring in 108-105 Game 2 Loss to Pistons . Los Angeles Times . June 9, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
37. News: Brown . Clifton . BASKETBALL; Johnson's Leg Injury Hurts Lakers . The New York Times . June 10, 1989 . March 9, 2022.
38. News: McManis . Sam . NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Magic Says Pain Won't Stop Him: Laker Star Would Play Despite Injury, But Not at Risk of Career . Los Angeles Times . June 10, 1989 . December 28, 2022.
39. News: If Magic rests, Rivers must get into flow . June 11, 1989 . Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan . 54 . .
40. News: Barnes . Mike . Pistons Win NBA Title . United Press International . June 13, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
41. News: Goldaper . Sam . Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers . The New York Times . June 14, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
42. News: McManis . Sam . Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97 . Los Angeles Times . June 14, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
43. News: Smith . Sam . Pistons Sweep to NBA Title . Chicago Tribune . June 14, 1989 . December 5, 2022.
44. Web site: 1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
45. News: Associated Press . Lakers Free Agent Campbell Signs Deal with Timberwolves . Los Angeles Times . September 13, 1989 . December 25, 2022.
46. News: Names in the News . Los Angeles Times . September 14, 1989 . December 25, 2022.
47. News: McManis . Sam . THE NBA: Campbell Gets Shot(s) With Timberwolves . Los Angeles Times . November 21, 1989 . February 18, 2024.
48. News: Brady . Frank . Suns Rally to Beat Lakers, Earning Trip to West Final . The New York Times . May 16, 1990 . January 24, 2023.
49. News: McManis . Sam . Lakers Let Season Trickle Away: Game 5: Magic Johnson Scores 43, But the Suns Come Back from 15-Point Deficit to Clinch Series, 106-103 . Los Angeles Times . May 16, 1990 . January 24, 2023.
50. News: Associated Press . NBA Playoffs: Shocked Lakers Bounced from Playoffs by Johnson-Led Suns . Deseret News . May 16, 1990 . January 24, 2023.
51. Web site: 1990 NBA Western Conference semifinals: Suns vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . March 21, 2023.