The 1988–89 NBA season was the Mavericks' 9th season in the NBA. After reaching the Conference Finals last year, the Mavericks got off to a fast start winning 9 of their first 12 games, but after a 17–9 start, they went on a 7-game losing streak in January, and held a 24–21 record at the All-Star break. In January, sixth man Roy Tarpley was suspended indefinitely for violating the league's anti-drug policy after only playing just 19 games.