Editorial archive dedicated to Michael Jordan · 1988-89 season
Chicago Bulls · Season archive

Season 1988-89

The year of 10,000 points and “The Shot”.

Bulls record47-35
Scoring average32,5
Career high8.0 assists

Editorial recap

Jordan finished 1988-89 with one of the most complete versions of his career. He again led the league in scoring, this time adding career highs in rebounds and assists at 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game.

That evolution also appeared in the playoffs. Chicago eliminated Cleveland in a memorable series thanks to the famous shot over Craig Ehlo in Game 5, then advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan was no longer simply an extraordinary scorer: he was beginning to control the entire game.

Regular-season averages

GPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKPTS
818140,253,827,685,01,86,28,08,02,890,8032,5

GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.

Playoff averages

GPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKPTS
171742,251,028,679,91,55,57,07,62,470,7634,8

GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.

Key moments

  • Reached 10,000 points in his NBA career.
  • Set career highs in rebounds and assists.
  • Made one of the most iconic shots in playoff history.

Honors and distinctions

  • All-NBA First Team.
  • All-Defensive First Team.
  • All-Star Game starter.