This is a detailed historical overview based on the Wikipedia article for the 1988-89 Cleveland Cavaliers season. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Cavaliers' 1988-89 Campaign

An analytical deep dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers' landmark season, exploring their record-breaking performance, key players, and playoff destiny.

Season Overview 👇 Player Stats 📊

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Season Overview

Performance Metrics

The 1988-89 NBA season marked the 19th year for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the league. The team achieved a franchise-best regular season record of 57 wins and 25 losses, finishing with a .695 winning percentage.

This stellar performance secured them second place in the competitive Central Division and the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their regular season record was tied for the second-best in the entire NBA.

Home and Away

Playing their home games at the Richfield Coliseum, the Cavaliers demonstrated remarkable dominance, posting an exceptional 37-4 record on their home court. This home-court advantage was a significant factor in their overall success.

On the road, the team secured 20 wins against 21 losses, showcasing a resilient performance away from Cleveland.

Playoff Journey

As the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers entered the 1989 NBA Playoffs with high expectations. Their postseason journey began against the Chicago Bulls.

Despite a strong season, their playoff run was cut short in the first round, losing a hard-fought series 2-3 to the Bulls, famously decided by Michael Jordan's iconic game-winning shot.

NBA Draft Selections

Key Acquisitions

The Cavaliers participated in the 1988 NBA Draft, making strategic selections to bolster their roster. Notable picks included Randolph Keys and Winston Bennett.

It's important to note that the team's first-round pick (#14) and second-round pick (#38) were traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of the acquisition of Larry Nance, who became a pivotal player for the team.

1988 NBA Draft Picks
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club
1 22 Randolph Keys Forward United States Southern Miss
3 64 Winston Bennett Forward United States Kentucky

Note: Picks #14 and #38 were traded to Phoenix in the Larry Nance deal.

Team Roster

Key Personnel

The Cavaliers roster featured a blend of established stars and emerging talent, guided by Head Coach Lenny Wilkens and General Manager Wayne Embry. The team's core players delivered exceptional performances throughout the season.

Key contributors included Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper, and Larry Nance, each playing vital roles in the team's success.

1988–89 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 43 Brad Daugherty 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965-10-19 North Carolina
C 24 Chris Dudley 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965-02-22 Yale
G/F 3 Craig Ehlo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961-08-11 Washington State
G 4 Ron Harper 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1964-01-20 Miami (OH)
F 35 Phil Hubbard 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1956-12-13 Michigan
F 31 Randolph Keys 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1966-04-19 Southern Miss
F 22 Larry Nance 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959-02-12 Clemson
G 25 Mark Price 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1964-02-15 Georgia Tech
C 30 Tree Rollins 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1955-06-16 Clemson
F 11 Mike Sanders 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1960-05-07 UCLA
G 1 Darnell Valentine 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1959-02-03 Kansas
F/C 18 Hot Rod Williams 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962-08-09 Tulane

Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens; Assistants: Dick Helm, Brian Winters.

Regular Season Performance

Division and Conference Standings

The Cavaliers' dominant regular season placed them firmly among the league's elite. Their 57-25 record was a testament to their consistent performance throughout the campaign.

Central Division Standings
Team W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y Detroit Pistons 63 19 .768 37–4 26–15 20–10
x Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 6 37–4 20–21 19–11
x Atlanta Hawks 52 30 .634 11 33–8 19–22 20–10
x Milwaukee Bucks 49 33 .598 14 31–10 18–23 11–19
x Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 16 30–11 17–24 12–18
Indiana Pacers 28 54 .341 35 20–21 8–33 8–22
Eastern Conference Standings
# Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Detroit Pistons 63 19 .768
2 y-New York Knicks 52 30 .634 11
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 6
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 52 30 .634 11
5 x-Milwaukee Bucks 49 33 .598 14
6 x-Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 16
7 x-Philadelphia 76ers 46 36 .561 17
8 x-Boston Celtics 42 40 .512 21
9 Washington Bullets 40 42 .488 23
10 Indiana Pacers 28 54 .341 35
11 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 37
12 Charlotte Hornets 20 62 .244 43

Key: z - Division Champion, y - Conference Champion, x - Clinched Playoff Spot

Game Log Highlights

The Cavaliers commenced their season with an emphatic victory over the Charlotte Hornets and maintained strong momentum, including an impressive 11-game winning streak in December and January. They held a formidable 35-11 record at the All-Star break.

The team's performance was characterized by resilience and offensive prowess, leading to a successful regular season culminating in a 57-25 record.

November: 8–3 (Home: 4–1; Road: 4–2)
Nov 4 vs Charlotte: W 133-93
Nov 5 @ Indiana: W 117-108
Nov 9 vs L.A. Clippers: W 114-97
Nov 12 vs Indiana: W 115-102
Nov 15 @ Atlanta: L 95-97
Nov 18 @ New Jersey: W 118-105
Nov 19 vs Milwaukee: W 110-95
Nov 22 @ Boston (Hartford): W 113-107
Nov 23 @ Philadelphia: L 100-107
Nov 26 @ New York: L 101-105
Nov 27 vs Miami: W 115-99
December: 12–2 (Home: 8–1; Road: 4–1)
Dec 1 @ Milwaukee: W 110-105
Dec 2 vs Boston: W 117-107
Dec 4 vs Denver: W 119-107
Dec 6 @ Houston: L 105-114
Dec 8 @ San Antonio: W 117-108
Dec 10 @ Dallas: W 115-107
Dec 13 vs L.A. Lakers: L 107-113
Dec 15 vs Detroit: W 101-97
Dec 17 vs Atlanta: W 120-94
Dec 20 vs Utah: W 117-107
Dec 21 @ Boston: W 110-107
Dec 23 vs Seattle: W 115-105
Dec 27 @ Chicago: W 102-97
Dec 28 vs Charlotte: W 113-97
January: 11–4 (Home: 7–0; Road: 4–4)
Jan 3 vs Indiana: W 115-100
Jan 5 vs Chicago: W 102-97
Jan 7 vs New York: W 129-107
Jan 9 @ Seattle: L 101-113
Jan 11 @ Phoenix: W 117-110
Jan 13 @ L.A. Lakers: L 104-115
Jan 14 @ Denver: W 115-108
Jan 16 vs Phoenix: W 117-110
Jan 19 @ Indiana: W 115-100
Jan 21 vs New Jersey: W 115-99
Jan 23 vs Golden State: W 117-100
Jan 24 @ Atlanta: L 105-121
Jan 27 @ Detroit: L 99-107
Jan 29 @ Washington: L 107-113
Jan 31 vs Philadelphia: W 114-107
February: 10–3 (Home: 8–0; Road: 2–3)
Feb 2 @ New York: L 107-129
Feb 3 vs Sacramento: W 120-107
Feb 5 @ Charlotte: W 117-100
Feb 7 @ Milwaukee: L 105-110
Feb 9 vs Indiana: W 115-100
All-Star Break
Feb 14 @ Miami: W 117-100
Feb 15 vs New York: W 115-107
Feb 17 @ Atlanta: L 100-108
Feb 18 vs Philadelphia: W 114-107
Feb 20 vs Houston: W 115-107
Feb 22 vs New Jersey: W 117-100
Feb 24 vs Portland: W 115-107
Feb 28 @ Detroit: L 101-110
March: 9–8 (Home: 5–1; Road: 4–7)
Mar 2 vs San Antonio: W 117-107
Mar 3 @ Detroit: L 100-107
Mar 5 vs Milwaukee: L 105-110
Mar 7 @ Sacramento: W 115-107
Mar 9 @ Golden State: L 107-115
Mar 10 @ L.A. Clippers: L 100-117
Mar 12 @ Portland: W 115-107
Mar 13 @ Utah: L 107-115
Mar 15 vs Chicago: W 102-97
Mar 19 @ New Jersey: W 115-107
Mar 20 vs Washington: W 117-100
Mar 22 @ Philadelphia: L 100-107
Mar 23 vs Milwaukee: W 115-107
Mar 25 @ Milwaukee: L 105-110
Mar 27 @ Indiana: L 107-115
Mar 28 vs Dallas: W 117-107
Mar 31 @ Chicago: W 102-97
April: 6–5 (Home: 5–1; Road: 1–4)
Apr 2 vs Boston: W 115-107
Apr 4 vs Atlanta: W 105-91
Apr 7 @ Washington: L 107-113
Apr 9 vs Charlotte: W 113-97
Apr 11 vs Philadelphia: W 114-107
Apr 12 @ Detroit: L 101-110
Apr 14 @ Boston: L 107-110
Apr 16 vs Chicago: W 102-97
Apr 18 @ Detroit: L 101-110
Apr 21 @ Atlanta: L 89-92
Apr 23 @ Chicago: L 100-101

Postseason Showdown

Eastern Conference First Round

The Cavaliers faced the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA Playoffs. This series was highly anticipated, featuring the Cavaliers' strong regular season performance against the Bulls' emerging superstar, Michael Jordan.

The series went down to the wire, with the Cavaliers winning two games on the road and splitting their home games, leading to a decisive Game 5.

1989 NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Bulls
Game Date Team Score Location Series
1 April 28 Chicago L 88–95 Richfield Coliseum 0–1
2 April 30 Chicago W 96–88 Richfield Coliseum 1–1
3 May 3 @ Chicago L 94–101 Chicago Stadium 1–2
4 May 5 @ Chicago W 108–105 (OT) Chicago Stadium 2–2
5 May 7 Chicago L 100–101 Richfield Coliseum 2–3

The series concluded with a heartbreaking 100-101 loss in Game 5, decided by Michael Jordan's famous buzzer-beater, often referred to as "The Shot," denying the Cavaliers advancement.

Player Statistics

Regular Season Leaders

The Cavaliers boasted multiple players who excelled statistically during the regular season. Mark Price and Brad Daugherty led the team in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game. Price also led in assists with 8.4 per game and was recognized with an All-NBA Third Team selection.

Ron Harper provided significant contributions with 18.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, while Larry Nance averaged 17.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks, earning a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Regular Season Player Statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Price 75 74 36.4 52.6 44.1 90.1 3.0 8.4 1.5 0.1 18.9
Brad Daugherty 78 78 36.2 53.8 33.3 73.7 9.2 3.7 0.8 0.5 18.9
Ron Harper 82 82 34.8 51.1 25.0 75.1 5.0 5.3 2.3 0.9 18.6
Larry Nance 73 72 34.6 53.9 0.0 79.9 8.0 2.2 0.8 2.8 17.2
Hot Rod Williams 82 10 25.9 50.9 25.0 74.8 5.8 1.3 0.9 1.6 11.6
Mike Sanders 82 82 25.6 45.3 30.0 71.9 3.7 1.6 1.1 0.4 9.3
Craig Ehlo 82 4 22.8 47.5 39.0 60.7 3.6 3.2 1.3 0.2 7.4
Darnell Valentine 77 4 14.1 42.6 21.4 81.3 1.3 2.3 0.7 0.1 4.8
Randolph Keys 42 0 7.9 43.0 10.0 69.0 1.3 0.5 0.3 0.1 4.0
Chris Dudley 61 2 8.9 43.5 0.0 36.4 2.6 0.3 0.1 0.4 3.0
Phil Hubbard 31 0 6.2 44.4 0.0 68.0 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.0 2.4
Tree Rollins 60 2 9.7 44.9 0.0 63.2 2.3 0.3 0.2 0.6 2.3

Playoff Performance

In the postseason, key players continued to deliver strong performances, though the team ultimately fell short. Larry Nance led the team in scoring during the playoffs with 19.4 points per game, closely followed by Ron Harper at 19.6 points per game.

Brad Daugherty anchored the paint, averaging 9.2 rebounds and 11.0 points, while Mark Price orchestrated the offense with 5.5 assists per game.

Playoff Player Statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ron Harper 5 5 37.8 56.5 0.0 76.9 4.2 4.0 2.2 0.8 19.6
Larry Nance 5 5 39.0 55.1 0.0 65.6 7.8 3.2 0.6 2.4 19.4
Mark Price 4 4 39.5 38.6 37.5 93.3 3.3 5.5 0.8 0.0 16.0
Craig Ehlo 4 1 24.3 43.6 38.5 81.8 1.5 3.3 0.8 0.3 12.0
Brad Daugherty 5 5 33.4 36.2 0.0 60.0 9.2 2.4 1.2 1.0 11.0
Hot Rod Williams 5 2 32.2 46.7 0.0 72.2 6.8 2.0 0.4 1.4 11.0
Mike Sanders 5 3 17.4 50.0 0.0 60.0 3.2 0.8 0.4 0.2 6.6
Darnell Valentine 5 0 16.0 35.0 0.0 87.5 1.4 3.2 1.0 0.0 4.2
Tree Rollins 5 0 14.8 75.0 0.0 60.0 3.2 0.2 0.6 1.4 3.0
Randolph Keys 1 0 12.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Chris Dudley 1 0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Phil Hubbard 1 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Accolades and Recognition

Player Honors

The outstanding individual performances of the Cavaliers players were recognized with several prestigious awards and honors.

  • Mark Price was named to the All-NBA Third Team for his exceptional offensive contributions and leadership.
  • Larry Nance earned a place on the NBA All-Defensive First Team, highlighting his impact on the defensive end.

Coaching and All-Star Recognition

Head Coach Lenny Wilkens was recognized for guiding the team to its best season, finishing third in Coach of the Year voting. Three Cavaliers players were selected to the 1989 NBA All-Star Game.

  • Mark Price
  • Brad Daugherty
  • Larry Nance

Additionally, Ron Harper, despite a stellar season, was notably not selected for the All-Star Game.

Team Movements

Off-Season Acquisitions

During the off-season leading into the 1988-89 campaign, the Cavaliers made key moves to strengthen their roster. They signed free agent Tree Rollins, adding depth to their frontcourt.

Furthermore, the team acquired Darnell Valentine from the Miami Heat expansion team, bringing additional guard play and experience to the squad.

Player Departures

Following the conclusion of the season, Mike Sanders signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers, marking a change for the veteran guard.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the 1988–89 Cleveland Cavaliers season Wikipedia page

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