1989–90 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Philadelphia 76ers 1990 yes 53 29 Atlantic 1 2 Jim Lynam John Nash Harold Katz The Spectrum Conference semifinals(lost to Bulls 1–4) PHI WPHL-TV SportsChannel Philadelphia PRISM WIP The 1989–90 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 41st season for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, and their 27th season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia 76ers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the 76ers acquired Rick Mahorn from the Minnesota Timberwolves expansion team, who selected him in the 1989 NBA expansion draft; Mahorn Traded to 76ers The New York Times October 28, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/28/sports/mahorn-traded-to-76ers.html December 15, 2021 Mahorn Is Traded to 76ers Los Angeles Times October 28, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-28-sp-632-story.html November 23, 2022 1989 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989_expansion.html February 10, 2022 Mahorn, who won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons last year, joined Charles Barkley and Mike Gminski to form a formidable front court. The team also acquired Johnny Dawkins from the San Antonio Spurs, Cialini Joe 76ers Trade Cheeks to Spurs United Press International August 28, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/28/76ers-trade-Cheeks-to-Spurs/7923620280000/ November 23, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: 76ers Trade Cheeks The New York Times August 29, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/29/sports/sports-people-basketball-76ers-trade-cheeks.html December 15, 2021 76ers Send Cheeks to Spurs in 5-Man Deal Los Angeles Times August 29, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-29-sp-1359-story.html June 22, 2023 who teamed with second-year star Hersey Hawkins in the backcourt. Regular season With the addition of Mahorn and Dawkins, the 76ers got off to an 18–16 start to the regular season, then posted a 12-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 30–18 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1990 November 23, 2022 The team posted an eight-game winning streak between March and April, and won 13 of their final 16 games of the season. The 76ers finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 53–29 record, defeating the Boston Celtics by just one game to win the Atlantic Division title, and earning the second seed in the Eastern Conference; 1989–90 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1990_games.html December 9, 2021 it was their first Division title since their championship season in 1982–83, and their first in the post-Julius Erving era. Barkley averaged 25.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game, shot .600 in field-goal percentage, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Hawkins averaged 18.5 points and 1.6 steals per game, and Dawkins provided the team with 14.3 points, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Gminski provided with 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while sixth man Ron Anderson contributed 11.9 points per game off the bench, and Mahorn averaged 10.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Off the bench, Derek Smith contributed 8.9 points per game, and Scott Brooks provided with 4.4 points and 2.9 assists per game. 1989–90 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1990.html December 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Barkley was selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Howard-Cooper Scott NBA All-Star Game: Entire Family Is Back Together...Almost Los Angeles Times February 11, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-11-sp-1107-story.html November 23, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1990 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1990 November 15, 2023 1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1990.html December 9, 2021 Barkley also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers; Barkley received more first-place votes than Johnson, with Barkley receiving 38 out of the 92 votes compared to Johnson's 27, but totaled only 614 points compared to Johnson's 636, as Johnson won the MVP award over Barkley, which drew controversy. Florence Mal MVP Voting Is the Closest in 10 Years: Pro Basketball: Magic Johnson Wins It Again, Although Barkley Gets More First-Place Votes. Jordan Finishes Third Los Angeles Times May 23, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-23-sp-206-story.html November 23, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: M.V.P. Controversy The New York Times May 23, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/23/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-mvp-controversy.html November 23, 2022 1989–90 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html November 23, 2022 This was the only time in NBA history where the player with the most first-place votes for MVP did not get the award.Andrew Lynch https://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-mvp-race-best-closest-ever-1989-90-michael-jordan-magic-johnson-lebron-james-033117 The 2016-17 MVP race is spectacular, but it's not the best ever Fox Sports March 31, 2017 October 4, 2021David Schoenfield http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/MVPcontroversy.html The List: Most controversial MVPs ESPN October 4, 2021 Meanwhile, Hawkins finished in fifth place in Most Improved Player voting, with Smith finishing tied in sixth place, Sports People: Pro Basketball: Miami's Seikaly Voted Most Improved Player  The New York Times  May 9, 1990  https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/09/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-miami-s-seikaly-voted-most-improved-player.html December 8, 2025 and head coach Jim Lynam finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting, behind Pat Riley of the Lakers. Riley Edges Adelman, Lynam as Sporting News' Top NBA Coach  Deseret News  May 27, 1990  https://www.deseret.com/1990/5/27/18863829/riley-edges-adelman-lynam-as-sporting-news-top-nba-coach/ December 8, 2025 The 76ers finished 19th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 565,926 at The Spectrum during the regular season. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 24, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the 76ers faced off against the 7th–seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that featured the All-Star trio of Brad Daugherty, Mark Price and Larry Nance. The 76ers won the first two games over the Cavaliers at home at The Spectrum, before losing the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 loss to the Cavaliers at the Coliseum at Richfield, 108–96. Keim Bob  Cavaliers 108, Sixers 96  United Press International  May 3, 1990  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/03/Cavaliers-108-Sixers-96/3043641707200/ June 27, 2026 Associated Press  Cavaliers Even Series with 76ers  The Gettysburg Times  May 4, 1990  B  https://books.google.com/books?id=yk4yAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1990+Cleveland+Cavaliers+Philadelphia+76ers+108-96+brad+daugherty+34+points&article_id=3672,318471&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNmbDS3KeVAxVMlmoFHcNDJz4Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=1990%20Cleveland%20Cavaliers%20Philadelphia%2076ers%20108-96%20brad%20daugherty%2034%20points&f=false June 27, 2026 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, May 3, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199005030CLE.html June 27, 2026 With the series tied at 2–2, the 76ers won Game 5 over the Cavaliers at The Spectrum, 113–97 to win in a hard-fought five-game series. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: 76ers Go to Round 2 by Beating Cavs The New York Times May 6, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/06/sports/pro-basketball-76ers-go-to-round-2-by-beating-cavs.html December 9, 2021 Associated Press Hawkins, 76ers Oust Cavaliers: NBA Playoffs: Guard, Team Make Up for Poor Showing in Postseason Play Last Year, 113-97 Los Angeles Times May 6, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-06-sp-403-story.html December 31, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Cavaliers vs. 76ers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-cavaliers-vs-76ers.html April 9, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded Chicago Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The 76ers lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the Chicago Stadium, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 118–112 at The Spectrum. 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, May 11, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199005110PHI.html June 30, 2026 However, the 76ers lost the next two games, including a Game 5 loss to the Bulls at the Chicago Stadium, 117–99, thus losing the series in five games. Brown Clifton Jordan and Bulls Have a Date with Pistons The New York Times May 17, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/17/sports/jordan-and-bulls-have-a-date-with-pistons.html December 7, 2021 Wilbon Michael Bulls Send 76ers Packing The Washington Post May 17, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/05/17/bulls-send-76ers-packing/b05509c2-5844-4897-98f9-a8c2b9eaf137/ December 31, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: 76ers vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-76ers-vs-bulls.html April 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Smith signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, and Brooks was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Associated Press  UCI Alum Brooks Traded to Minnesota  Los Angeles Times  June 27, 1990  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-27-sp-743-story.html May 29, 2026 Itagaki Michael  Brooks Fools Experts by Surviving in NBA: Basketball: Former UC Irvine Guard, Who Wasn't Drafted in 1987, Just Finished His Fifth Season in the League  Los Angeles Times  July 3, 1993  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-03-sp-9643-story.html May 29, 2026 Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 19 Kenny Payne SF Louisville 2 44 Reggie Cross PF Hawaii 2 54 Toney Mack SG Georgia Roster Philadelphia 76ers 1989–90 #B50000 #FFFFFF #243E7C #FFFFFF 20 Ron Anderson basketball, born 1958 F 6 7 215 1958–10–15 Fresno State 34 Charles Barkley F 6 6 252 1963–02–20 Auburn 1 Scott Brooks G 5 11 165 1965–07–31 UC Irvine 7 Lanard Copeland G 6 6 194 1965–07–16 Georgia State 12 Johnny Dawkins G 6 2 170 1963–09–28 Duke 42 Mike Gminski C 6 11 250 1959–08–03 Duke 33 Hersey Hawkins G 6 3 190 1966–09–29 Bradley 44 Rick Mahorn F 6 10 240 1958–09–21 Hampton 40 Kurt Nimphius C 6 10 218 1958–03–13 Arizona State 18 Kenny Payne F 6 8 195 1966–11–25 Louisville 21 Derek Smith basketball F 6 6 205 1961–11–01 Louisville 45 Bob Thornton F 6 10 225 1962–07–10 UC Irvine Jim Lynam Buzz Braman Fred Carter https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1990.html January 15, 1990 Regular season Season standings PHI PHI z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Reference Playoffs Philadelphia 76ers 1990 #0067B1 white yes Philadelphia 76ers First Round yes #ED174C white yes no 3 0 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 26 | Cleveland | W 111–106 | Charles Barkley (38) | Charles Barkley (21) | Johnny Dawkins (9) | Spectrum15,319 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 29 | Cleveland | W 107–101 | Charles Barkley (32) | Rick Mahorn (9) | Johnny Dawkins (11) | Spectrum18,168 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 1 | @ Cleveland | L 95–122 | Hersey Hawkins (19) | Charles Barkley (11) | Johnny Dawkins (7) | Richfield Coliseum16,317 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 3 | @ Cleveland | L 96–108 | Charles Barkley (23) | Barkley, Mahorn (11) | Johnny Dawkins (10) | Richfield Coliseum17,106 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 5 | Cleveland | W 113–97 | Hersey Hawkins (39) | Charles Barkley (19) | Johnny Dawkins (14) | Spectrum18,168 | 3–2 |- Philadelphia 76ers Conference semifinals #ED174C white yes no 1 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 7 | @ Chicago | L 85–96 | Charles Barkley (30) | Charles Barkley (20) | three players tied (4) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 9 | @ Chicago | L 96–101 | Hersey Hawkins (23) | Charles Barkley (19) | Johnny Dawkins (13) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 11 | Chicago | W 118–112 | Charles Barkley (34) | Charles Barkley (20) | Charles Barkley (8) | Spectrum18,168 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 13 | Chicago | L 101–111 | Hersey Hawkins (26) | Charles Barkley (13) | Hersey Hawkins (6) | Spectrum18,168 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 16 | @ Chicago | 99–117 | Ron Anderson (20) | Charles Barkley (13) | Johnny Dawkins (15) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 1–4 |- PHI 1990 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRon Anderson basketball, born 1958 78 3 26.8 .451 .143 .838 3.8 1.8 .9 .2 11.9Charles Barkley 79 79 39.1 .600 .217 .749 11.5 3.9 1.9 .6 25.2Scott Brooks 72 1 13.5 .431 .392 .877 .9 2.9 .7 .0 4.4Lanard Copeland 23 0 4.8 .456 .200 .786 .4 .4 .0 .0 3.2Johnny Dawkins 81 81 35.4 .489 .333 .861 3.0 7.4 1.5 .1 14.3Corey Gaines 9 0 9.0 .333 .500 .250 .6 2.9 .4 .0 1.1Mike Gminski 81 81 32.8 .457 .176 .821 8.5 1.6 .5 1.3 13.7Hersey Hawkins 82 82 34.8 .460 .420 .888 3.7 3.2 1.6 .3 18.5Lewis Lloyd† 2 0 5.0 .500 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.0Rick Mahorn 75 66 30.3 .497 .222 .715 7.6 1.3 .6 1.4 10.8Kurt Nimphius 38 1 8.3 .418 .000 .467 1.6 .2 .1 .5 2.4Kenny Payne 35 4 6.2 .435 .400 .889 .7 .3 .2 .2 3.3Dexter Shouse 3 0 6.0 .000 .000 .0 .7 .3 .3 .0Derek Smith basketball 75 7 18.7 .508 .444 .699 2.3 1.5 .5 .3 8.9Bob Thornton 56 0 10.6 .429 .333 .510 2.4 .3 .4 .2 2.2Jay Vincent† 17 5 15.2 .429 1.000 .892 2.1 .5 .6 .1 7.3 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRon Anderson basketball, born 1958 10 0 25.6 .430 .600 .967 3.7 1.4 .4 .0 11.2Charles Barkley 10 10 41.9 .543 .333 .602 15.5 4.3 .8 .7 24.7Scott Brooks 9 0 11.0 .316 .429 .667 .9 1.8 .3 .0 2.3Lanard Copeland 4 0 2.3 .333 .3 .0 .0 .0 1.0Johnny Dawkins 10 10 38.6 .461 .000 .837 2.2 9.3 1.7 .2 14.2Mike Gminski 10 10 34.2 .487 .000 .933 5.4 1.1 .8 2.3 12.8Hersey Hawkins 10 10 41.5 .497 .389 .937 3.1 3.6 1.2 .7 23.5Rick Mahorn 10 10 34.2 .430 .000 .769 7.0 1.0 .7 .8 9.4Kurt Nimphius 4 0 4.5 .143 1.0 .0 .3 .3 .5Kenny Payne 3 0 3.3 .400 .000 1.000 .7 .0 .0 .0 2.0Derek Smith basketball 1 0 15.0 .625 .000 .500 .0 1.0 1.0 .0 11.0Bob Thornton 9 0 9.9 .389 .500 1.7 .4 .2 .1 2.1 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the 7ers only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Charles Barkley, All-NBA First Team Rick Mahorn, NBA All-Defensive Second Team See also 1989–90 NBA season References Category:Philadelphia 76ers seasons Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia Category:1990 in Philadelphia Category:1989 in Philadelphia