1989–90 Washington Bullets season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Washington Bullets Washington Wizards 1990 31 51 Atlantic 4 10 Wes Unseld Bob Ferry Abe Pollin Capital Centre (37 games) Baltimore Arena (4 games) Did not qualify WSB WDCA Home Team Sports WTOP The 1989–90 Washington Bullets season was the 29th season for the Washington Bullets in the National Basketball Association, and their 17th season in Washington, D.C.. Washington Wizards Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ August 10, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Bullets received the ninth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected power forward Tom Hammonds out of Georgia Tech University. Goldaper Sam Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry The New York Times June 28, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/28/sports/kings-take-ellison-first-in-nba-draft-clippers-pick-ferry.html January 13, 2022 McManis Sam The NBA Draft: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison Los Angeles Times June 28, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-28-sp-4358-story.html November 23, 2022 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html December 31, 2022 Regular season The Bullets got off to a fast start by winning five of their first six games of the regular season. However, the team struggled losing 10 of their next 13 games, but managed to climb back into playoff position with a 12–11 record as of December 19, 1989. However, the Bullets lost 16 of their next 18 games, which included a seven-game losing streak in January, and held a 18–31 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 Bullets finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record. 1989–90 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1990_games.html January 13, 2022 Jeff Malone led the Bullets in scoring averaging 24.3 points per game, while Bernard King averaged 22.3 points and 4.6 assists per game, and John Williams provided the team with 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, but only played just 18 games due to a season-ending knee injury. Aldridge David Bullets' Williams to Miss Up to 8 Weeks with Knee Injury The Washington Post December 4, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/12/04/bullets-williams-to-miss-up-to-8-weeks-with-knee-injury/086918c2-d68e-4e34-9b4d-7618f324a4aa/ December 31, 2022 Aldridge David Modern Medicine, Time Are on Williams's Side The Washington Post December 8, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/12/08/modern-medicine-time-are-on-williamss-side/70c77529-0c24-410f-9478-dfaf62dcb068/ December 31, 2022 Aldridge David Bullets Don't Expect Williams to Return The Washington Post March 15, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/03/15/bullets-dont-expect-williams-to-return/0fc10b8e-e6f0-477e-8612-7c3ea24a452b/ December 31, 2022 In addition, second-year guard Ledell Eackles contributed 13.5 points per game, while Mark Alarie provided with 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and Darrell Walker contributed 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, second-year forward Harvey Grant averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, Hammonds provided with 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, Steve Colter contributed 4.9 points per game, and defensive center Charles Jones averaged 3.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. 1989–90 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1990.html January 13, 2022 The Bullets finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 458,332 at the Capital Centre during the regular season, which was 27th in the league. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 24, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Malone was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade, after seven seasons with the Bullets, Brady Jim Bullets, Jazz, Kings Make Three-Way Deal United Press International June 25, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/06/25/Bullets-Jazz-Kings-make-three-way-deal/7287646286400/ November 23, 2022 Associated Press Bullets Get Pervis Ellison in Three-Way Trade: Pro Basketball: Jeff Malone Goes to Jazz, with Hansen and Leckner Going to Sacramento. Nets Deal for Theus, Meaning They Will Probably Pick Coleman Los Angeles Times June 26, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-26-sp-595-story.html December 15, 2021 Aldridge David Bullets Trade Malone in 3-Team Deal for Ellison The Washington Post June 26, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/06/26/bullets-trade-malone-in-3-team-deal-for-ellison/dca3921a-84f4-47c9-97d8-eb065716ba18/ November 23, 2022 and Colter was traded to the Sacramento Kings. Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 9 Tom Hammonds PF Georgia Tech 2 39 Ed Horton PF Iowa 2 41 Doug Roth C Tennessee Roster Washington Bullets 1989–90 #C9143A white #0344AD white 31 Mark Alarie F 6 8 217 1963–12–11 Duke 20 Steve Colter G 6 3 165 1962–07–24 New Mexico State 21 Ledell Eackles G 6 5 220 1966–11–24 New Orleans 44 Harvey Grant F 6 8 195 1965–07–04 Oklahoma 12 Tom Hammonds F 6 9 215 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech 32 Ed Horton F 6 8 230 1967–12–17 Iowa 23 Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 C 6 9 215 1957–04–03 Albany State 30 Bernard King F 6 7 205 1956–12–04 Tennessee 24 Jeff Malone G 6 4 205 1961–06–28 Mississippi State 13 Doug Roth C 6 11 255 1967–08–24 Tennessee 50 Melvin Turpin C 6 11 240 1960–12–28 Kentucky 5 Darrell Walker G 6 4 180 1961–03–09 Arkansas 34 John Williams basketball, born 1966 F 6 8 235 1966–10–26 LSU yes Wes Unseld Bill Blair Jeff Bzdelik https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1990.html Regular season Season standings WSB WSB z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Washington Bullets 1990 #DC143C #0000CD Total: 31–51 (Home: 20–21; Road: 11–30) Washington Bullets November yes #0000CD #DC143C 4 2 3 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 3 | @ Charlotte | W 116–96July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | November 4 | Detroit | L 93–95 | | | | Capital Centre | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | November 7 | @ Atlanta | W 118–114 | | | | The Omni | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | November 8 | Boston | W 112–103 | | | | Capital Centre | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 10 | Cleveland(at Baltimore, Maryland) | W 100–92 | | | | Baltimore Arena | 4–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | November 12 | @ Portland | W 104–95 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 5–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 13 | @ Utah | L 93–106 | | | | Salt Palace | 5–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 8 | November 15 | @ Denver | L 98–109 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 5–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | November 16 | @ Seattle | L 98–111July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 10 | November 18 | @ Phoenix | L 107–118 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 11 | November 19 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 115–120 | | | | Great Western Forum | 5–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 12 | November 21 | Milwaukee | W 97–91 | | | | Capital Centre | 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 13 | November 24 | @ Philadelphia | L 108–121 | | | | The Spectrum | 6–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | November 25 | Miami | W 107–88 | | | | Capital Centre | 7–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 15 | November 28 | @ Cleveland | L 91–92 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 7–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | November 29 | Atlanta | L 104–111 | | | | Capital Centre | 7–9 Washington Bullets December #0000CD #DC143C 5 4 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | December 1 | Philadelphia(at Baltimore, Maryland) | W 107–90 | | | | Baltimore Arena | 8–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | December 2 | Utah | L 98–100 | | | | Capital Centre | 8–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 19 | December 6 | @ Detroit | L 107–115 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 8–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 9 | L.A. Lakers | W 103–101 | | | | Capital Centre | 9–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 21 | December 14 | Charlotte | W 105–101July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 10–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 | December 16 | Dallas | W 112–108 | | | | Capital Centre | 11–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 19 | Minnesota | W 112–99July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 12–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 20 | @ Philadelphia | L 111–118 | | | | The Spectrum | 12–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 25 | December 22 | New York | L 112–122 | | | | Capital Centre | 12–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 26 | @ New Jersey | L 94–101 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 12–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 27 | San Antonio | L 97–107 | | | | Capital Centre | 12–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 30 | Chicago | L 112–117 (OT) | | | | Capital Centre | 12–16 Washington Bullets January #0000CD #DC143C 2 4 1 9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | January 2 | New Jersey | W 110–96 | | | | Capital Centre | 13–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | January 3 | @ Boston | L 101–120 | | | | Boston Garden | 13–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | January 5 | @ Cleveland | L 107–119 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 13–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | January 6 | Boston | L 88–102 | | | | Capital Centre | 13–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 9 | @ New York | L 127–131 (OT) | | | | Madison Square Garden | 13–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 | January 11 | @ Miami | W 100–89 | | | | Miami Arena | 14–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 35 | January 13 | Philadelphia | L 101–120 | | | | Capital Centre | 14–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 15 | Miami | L 105–111 | | | | Capital Centre | 14–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 37 | January 17 | @ New Jersey | L 106–115 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 14–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 38 | January 18 | Milwaukee | L 112–115 | | | | Capital Centre | 14–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 20 | @ Houston | L 107–127 | | | | The Summit | 14–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 40 | January 22 | @ San Antonio | L 115–124 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 14–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 41 | January 23 | @ Dallas | L 105–129 | | | | Reunion Arena | 14–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | January 25 | Boston | W 112–103 | | | | Capital Centre | 15–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 43 | January 27 | @ Philadelphia | L 101–125 | | | | The Spectrum | 15–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | January 31 | @ Detroit | L 109–133 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 15–29 Washington Bullets February #0000CD #DC143C 4 3 3 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 45 | February 2 | Sacramento | W 108–99July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 16–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | February 3 | Seattle | L 92–94July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 16–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 47 | February 5 | Golden State | W 135–129 | | | | Capital Centre | 17–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 48 | February 6 | @ Miami | W 118–100 | | | | Miami Arena | 18–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 8 | L.A. Clippers | L 103–105July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 18–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 50 | February 13 | @ Sacramento | L 98–106July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | ARCO Arena | 18–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 51 | February 15 | @ Golden State | L 107–113 | | | | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 18–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 | February 16 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 118–112 (OT)July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 19–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 | February 18 | Indiana(at Baltimore, Maryland) | W 116–97 | | | | Baltimore Arena | 20–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 54 | February 20 | @ Atlanta | W 110–107 | | | | The Omni | 21–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 55 | February 22 | New York | L 110–119July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Capital Centre | 21–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 56 | February 24 | Orlando | W 141–124 | | | | Capital Centre | 22–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 57 | February 27 | @ Minnesota | L 88–104July 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes | | | | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 22–35 Washington Bullets March #0000CD #DC143C 3 5 2 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 58 | March 1 | Detroit | L 85–99 | | | | Capital Centre | 22–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 | March 3 | @ Orlando | W 132–128 (2OT) | | | | Orlando Arena | 23–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 6 | @ Indiana | L 98–113 | | | | Market Square Arena | 23–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 61 | March 7 | Phoenix | L 111–113 | | | | Capital Centre | 23–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 | March 9 | @ Boston(at Hartford, Connecticut) | W 115–108 | | | | Hartford Civic Center | 24–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | March 10 | Portland | L 113–116 | | | | Capital Centre | 24–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 64 | March 15 | @ Milwaukee | L 91–96 | | | | Bradley Center | 24–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 17 | Atlanta(at Baltimore, Maryland) | L 92–119 | | | | Baltimore Arena | 24–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 66 | March 20 | @ Chicago | L 97–122 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 24–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 21 | New Jersey | W 136–106 | | | | Capital Centre | 25–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | March 24 |Philadelphia | L 112–114 (OT) | | | | Capital Centre | 25–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 69 | March 27 | @ New York | L 100–119 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 25–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 | March 28 | Denver | W 113–99 | | | | Capital Centre | 26–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | March 30 | Orlando | W 143–115 | | | | Capital Centre | 27–44 Washington Bullets April #0000CD #DC143C 2 3 2 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | April 1 | @ New Jersey | W 105–97 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 28–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 73 | April 4 | New York | L 107–118 | | | | Capital Centre | 28–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | April 6 | Houston | W 121–110 | | | | Capital Centre | 29–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | April 7 | @ Milwaukee | L 100–110 | | | | Bradley Center | 29–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 76 | April 10 | @ Indiana | L 105–107 | | | | Market Square Arena | 29–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | April 12 | Cleveland | L 100–102 | | | | Capital Centre | 29–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | April 14 | Chicago | W 113–103 | | | | Capital Centre | 30–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 17 | @ Orlando | W 129–127 | | | | Orlando Arena | 31–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | April 19 | @ Chicago | L 117–120 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 31–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 81 | April 20 | @ Miami | L 112–117 | | | | Miami Arena | 31–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 82 | April 22 | Indiana | L 117–127 | | | | Capital Centre | 31–51 WSB 1990 Player statistics Regular season Washington Bullets |- | style="text-align:left;"|Mark Alarie | 82 || 10 || 23.1 || .473 || .204 || .812 || 4.6 || 1.7 || .7 || .5 || 10.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Steve Colter | 73 || 1 || 13.4 || .478 || .000 || .811 || 2.4 || 2.0 || .6 || .1 || 4.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ledell Eackles | 78 || 8 || 21.7 || .439 || .322 || .750 || 2.2 || 2.3 || .6 || .1 || 13.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Harvey Grant | 81 || 25 || 22.8 || .473 || .000 || .701 || 4.2 || 1.6 || .6 || .5 || 8.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tom Hammonds | 61 || 8 || 13.2 || .437 || .000 || .643 || 2.8 || .8 || .2 || .2 || 5.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ed Horton | 45 || 10 || 8.3 || .494 || .000 || .609 || 2.4 || .4 || .2 || .1 || 4.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 | 81 || 81 || 27.7 || .508 || || .648 || 6.2 || 1.7 || .6 || 2.4 || 3.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Bernard King | 82 || 82 || 32.8 || .487 || .130 || .803 || 4.9 || 4.6 || .6 || .1 || 22.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Jeff Malone | 75 || 74 || 34.2 || .491 || .167 || .877 || 2.7 || 3.2 || .6 || .1 || 24.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Doug Roth | 42 || 0 || 9.8 || .430 || .000 || .500 || 2.9 || .5 || .2 || .3 || 1.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Melvin Turpin | 59 || 12 || 13.9 || .526 || .000 || .789 || 3.7 || .5 || .3 || .8 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Darrell Walker | 81 || 81 || 35.6 || .454 || .095 || .687 || 8.8 || 8.0 || 1.7 || .4 || 9.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Williams basketball, born 1966 | 18 || 18 || 35.1 || .474 || .111 || .774 || 7.6 || 4.7 || 1.2 || .5 || 18.2 |} Player statistics citation: References See also 1989-90 NBA season Category:Washington Wizards seasons Washington Bullets Washington Bullets Wash