The 1988–89 NBA season was the Bucks' 21st season in the NBA .[ 1] It was the first season for the Bucks playing in the Bradley Center , after the team moved there from the Milwaukee Arena, otherwise known as "The Mecca". During the off-season, the team acquired Fred Roberts from the expansion Miami Heat .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] The Bucks struggled with a 3–4 start to the season, but later on posted a six-game winning streak in January, and held a 30–15 record at the All-Star break.[ 5] The team finished fourth in the Central Division with a 49–33 record.[ 6]
Terry Cummings averaged 22.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game ,[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] while sixth man Ricky Pierce averaged 17.6 points per game off the bench, and Jack Sikma provided the team with 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. In addition, Larry Krystkowiak averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while Paul Pressey provided with 12.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game, Sidney Moncrief also contributed 12.1 points per game, and Jay Humphries averaged 11.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game.[ 12]
In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Bucks lost Game 1 to the 4th-seeded Atlanta Hawks on the road, 100–92,[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] but managed to beat them in five games.[ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19] It marked the last time the Bucks would advance to the second round until 2000–01 . In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Bucks were swept by the eventual champions Detroit Pistons in four straight games.[ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 23] The Pistons would reach the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, and defeat the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games, winning their first ever championship.[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 28]
Following the season, Cummings was traded to the San Antonio Spurs ,[ 29] [ 30] [ 31] [ 32] [ 33] and Moncrief retired after ten seasons with the Bucks due to continuing knee problems.[ 34] [ 35] [ 36] [ 37] Shortly after the season began, team owner Herb Kohl was elected to the first of four terms representing the United States Senate in Wisconsin .[ 38] [ 39] [ 40] [ 41]
1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
45
Breuer, Randy
7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1960–10–11
Minnesota
F
35
Brown, Tony
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1960–07–29
Arkansas
F
34
Cummings, Terry
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1961–03–15
DePaul
F
23
Davis, Mark
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1963–06–08
Old Dominion
G
20
Grayer, Jeff
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1965–12–17
Iowa State
G
11
Green, Rickey
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1954–08–18
Michigan
C
50
Horford, Tito
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1966–01–19
Miami (FL)
G
24
Humphries, Jay
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1962–10–17
Colorado
F
42
Krystkowiak, Larry
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1964–09–23
Montana
C
44
Mokeski, Paul
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1957–01–03
Kansas
G
4
Moncrief, Sidney
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1957–09–21
Arkansas
G
22
Pierce, Ricky
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1959–08–19
Rice
F
25
Pressey, Paul
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1958–12–24
Tulsa
F
31
Roberts, Fred
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
1960–08–14
BYU
C
43
Sikma, Jack
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1955–11–14
Illinois Wesleyan
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit
1988-89 NBA Records
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
—
1988–89 game log Total: 49–33 (home: 2–2; road: 0–0)
November: 6–5 (home: 5–2; road: 1–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1
November 4, 1988
@ Indiana
W 117–103
Terry Cummings (26)
Jack Sikma (10)
Jay Humphries (5)
Market Square Arena
1–0
2
November 5, 1988
Atlanta
L 94–107
Terry Cummings (19)
Jack Sikma (10)
Ricky Pierce (5)
Bradley Center 18,649
1–1
3
November 9, 1988
Philadelphia
W 114–103
Terry Cummings (31)
Larry Krystkowiak , Paul Pressey (7)
Jay Humphries (6)
Bradley Center 14,192
2–1
4
November 12, 1988
Boston
W 108–100
Bradley Center 18,673
3–1
5
November 17, 1988
New Jersey
L 96–105
Bradley Center 15,419
3–2
6
November 19, 1988
@ Cleveland
L 99–106
Coliseum at Richfield 17,287
3–3
7
November 22, 1988
@ Indiana
L 91–105
Market Square Arena
3–4
8
November 23, 1988
Washington
W 124–102
Bradley Center 15,102
4–4
9
November 25, 1988
@ Boston
L 96–115
Boston Garden 14,890
4–5
10
November 26, 1988
Miami
W 103–93
Bradley Center 18,573
5–5
11
November 29, 1988
Portland
W 119–114
Bradley Center 13,918
6–5
December: 10–6 (home: 6–3; road: 4–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
12
December 1, 1988
Cleveland
L 96–99
Bradley Center 14,215
6–6
13
December 2, 1988
@ New Jersey
W 103–92
Brendan Byrne Arena
7–6
14
December 6, 1988
Detroit
W 106–84
Bradley Center 15,619
8–6
15
December 8, 1988
@ New York
L 109–113
Madison Square Garden 14,356
8–7
16
December 9, 1988
@ Chicago
L 100–118
Chicago Stadium 17,592
8–8
17
December 11, 1988
L. A. Lakers
W 95–94
Bradley Center 18,633
9–8
18
December 13, 1988
@ Philadelphia
W 109–91
The Spectrum 10,003
10–8
19
December 14, 1988
@ Detroit
W 119–110
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
11–8
20
December 16, 1988
@ Atlanta
L 112–115
The Omni 14,379
11–9
21
December 17, 1988
Chicago
L 93–112
Bradley Center 18,633
11–10
22
December 20, 1988
Charlotte
W 125–115
Bradley Center 15,075
12–10
23
December 21, 1988
@ Charlotte
W 112–100
Charlotte Coliseum 23,010
13–10
24
December 23, 1988
Dallas
W 113–101
Bradley Center 18,633
14–10
25
December 27, 1988
Indiana
W 120–107
Bradley Center 18,633
15–10
26
December 30, 1988
Atlanta
L 113–117
Bradley Center 18,633
15–11
January: 8–2 (home: 5–0; road: 3–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
27
January 4, 1988
L. A. Clippers
W 110–102
Bradley Center 15,287
16–11
28
January 6, 1988
@ Washington
W 128–121 2OT
Baltimore Arena
17–11
29
January 7, 1988
Utah
W 107–89
Bradley Center 18,633
18–11
30
January 11, 1988
Denver
W 123–106
Bradley Center 15,702
19–11
31
January 13, 1988
@ Miami
W 107–101
Miami Arena 15,008
20–11
32
January 15, 1988
Detroit
W 120–112
Bradley Center 18,633
21–11
33
January 17, 1988
@ Atlanta
L 98–111
The Omni 15,387
21–12
34
January 18, 1988
Charlotte
W 118–106
Bradley Center 16,145
22–12
35
January 20, 1988
@ Utah
L 96–98
Salt Palace 12,444
22–13
36
January 21, 1988
@ Denver
W 116–107
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
23–13
37
January 24, 1988
@ Sacramento
W 114–110
ARCO Arena 16,517
24–13
38
January 26, 1988
@ Portland
W 127–109
Memorial Coliseum 12,848
25–13
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1988–89 schedule
1989 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
Conference semifinals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
1989 schedule
Player Stats Citation:[ 12]
Player Transactions Citation:[ 42]
^ 1988-89 Milwaukee Bucks
^ Goldaper, Sam (June 24, 1988). "Miami Chooses 'Who?' First" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 28, 2022 .
^ Edes, Gordon (June 24, 1988). "Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 28, 2022 .
^ "Roberts Hopes He'll Be with Bucks Long Enough to Get Bags Unpacked" . Deseret News . Associated Press. October 14, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ Goldaper, Sam (February 1, 1989). "BASKETBALL; Jackson and Ewing Are Chosen as All-Stars" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "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 . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights" . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ a b "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2022 .
^ "Bucks Control Pace, But Hawks Pull It Out" . The New York Times . Associated Press. April 28, 1989. Retrieved April 3, 2023 .
^ "Inside" . The New York Times . April 28, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Moffit, David (April 28, 1989). "Atlanta 100, Milwaukee 92" . United Press International . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Moffit, David (May 7, 1989). "Milwaukee 96, Atlanta 92" . United Press International . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Bucks Defeat Hawks and Clinch Series" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 8, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Hafner, Dan (May 8, 1989). "NBA Playoffs: Bucks Defeat Hawks, Take on Pistons Next" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bucks vs. Hawks" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ DiGiovanni, Joe (May 15, 1989). "Pistons 96, Bucks 94" . United Press International . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (May 16, 1989). "Pistons Edge Bucks to Complete a Sweep" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "NBA PLAYOFFS: Pistons Sweep Bucks Out of the Way" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 16, 1989. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Bucks vs. Pistons" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ Barnes, Mike (June 13, 1989). "Pistons Win NBA Title" . United Press International . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Sweep to NBA Title" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ DiGiovanni, Joe (May 28, 1989). "Bucks Trade Cummings to Spurs for Robertson, Anderson" . United Press International . Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Cummings Is Traded for 2 Spurs Starters" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 29, 1989. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ "Spurs Get Cummings for Robertson, Anderson" . Los Angeles Times . May 29, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022 .
^ "Bucks Trade Cummings to San Antonio for Robertson, Anderson" . The Washington Post . May 29, 1989. Retrieved January 27, 2023 .
^ "Bucks-Spurs Deal Shocks Cummings" . Deseret News . May 29, 1989. Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ "THE SIDELINES - Bucks' Moncrief Retiring" . Los Angeles Times . October 13, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ "Moncrief Expected to Retire from NBA" . Chicago Tribune . Contributed Content. October 13, 1989. Retrieved February 18, 2024 .
^ Yates, Tommy (October 13, 1989). "Ex-Bucks Star Sidney Moncrief Retires" . United Press International . Retrieved March 9, 2022 .
^ "Sidney Moncrief Retires" . Deseret News . October 14, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Dewar, Helen (September 4, 1988). "3 Open Senate Seats Critical to G.O.P." The Washington Post . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ "Team Owner Wins Wisconsin Primary" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. September 14, 1988. Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ Rosenbaum, David E. (October 31, 1988). "The Race for Congress; Choice in Wisconsin: Rich Is (A) Evil, or (B) Good" . The New York Times . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ "Democrat Herbert Kohl, Owner of the Milwaukee..." Los Angeles Times . November 9, 1988. Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .