1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Minnesota Timberwolves 1990 22 60 Midwest 6 13 Bill Musselman Harvey Ratner Marv Wolfenson Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome KSTP-TV/KITN-TV(Kevin Harlan, Len Elmore, Tom Hanneman) WDGY(Kevin Harlan, Dave Shea) Did not qualify 1 MIN The 1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the inaugural season for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association. Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ August 8, 2026 Nearly 30 years after the Lakers left Minneapolis, Minnesota to relocate to Los Angeles, California, the NBA returned to Minnesota with an expansion team known as the "Timberwolves"; the Orlando Magic also joined the NBA in 1989 via expansion. Goldaper Sam No Headline The New York Times April 23, 1987 https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/23/sports/no-headline-809187.html March 10, 2022 Associated Press NBA Gives Florida Two Franchises: Miami, Orlando: League Also Grants Expansion Teams to Minneapolis and Charlotte for $32.5 Million Los Angeles Times April 23, 1987 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-23-sp-602-story.html December 28, 2022 Associated Press The NBA Is Back in Minnesota Los Angeles Times October 29, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-29-sp-263-story.html February 19, 2024 Season summary Off-season The Timberwolves revealed their new primary logo, adding blue, green, white and silver to their color scheme; the team's primary logo featured a blue and white wolf with green eyes, in front of a silver basketball with blue seams surrounded by a green outline, and above the state name "Minnesota" in green letters and the team name "Timberwolves" in blue letters. Minnesota Timberwolves Primary Logo  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/pqln6egfczzzkgvyshwoi2ozu/Minnesota_Timberwolves/1990/Primary_Logo February 1, 2022 The team also revealed new white home uniforms, and new blue road uniforms; both uniforms featured a blue, white and green trim, and the team's primary logo on the left and right legs of their shorts. Minnesota Timberwolves Home Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/9tmogw1a492a0k8o1fxophvge/Minnesota_Timberwolves/1990/Home_Uniform February 1, 2022 Minnesota Timberwolves Road Uniform  Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net  https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/ed09hee1zcguhpjbzykg3hfwi/Minnesota_Timberwolves/1990/Road_Uniform February 1, 2022 The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 1996. For their inaugural season, the Timberwolves played their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, which was home to the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, and also home to the MLB's Minnesota Twins. In the 1989 NBA expansion draft, the Timberwolves selected veteran players like Rick Mahorn, Tyrone Corbin, Steve Johnson, Brad Lohaus and Scott Roth. Brown Clifton Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft The New York Times June 16, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/16/sports/knicks-green-is-taken-first-in-nba-s-expansion-draft.html December 28, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers Los Angeles Times June 16, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-16-sp-1959-story.html December 28, 2022 1989 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989_expansion.html December 28, 2022 The team also signed free agents, Tony Campbell, who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1988 NBA Finals, Associated Press Lakers Free Agent Campbell Signs Deal with Timberwolves Los Angeles Times September 13, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-13-sp-2218-story.html December 28, 2022 Names in the News Los Angeles Times September 14, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-14-sp-349-story.html December 28, 2022 McManis Sam The NBA: Campbell Gets Shot(s) with Timberwolves Los Angeles Times November 21, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-21-sp-69-story.html February 19, 2024 and rookie small forward Sam Mitchell out of Mercer University; Mitchell was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a third-round draft pick in the 1985 NBA draft, but was released to free agency during the preseason, and previously played overseas in France, and in the Continental Basketball Association. Sports Digest United Press International July 26, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/07/26/Sports-Digest/6048617428800/ February 19, 2024 On the Rebound: Forward Sam Mitchell, Passed Over by Heat, Joins the Wolf Pack Sun Sentinel December 15, 1989 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1989/12/15/on-the-rebound-forward-sam-mitchell-passed-over-by-heat-joins-the-wolf-pack/ February 19, 2024 Rushin Steve The Chance of a Lifetime: At 26, Minnesota's Sam Mitchell Is the Oldest NBA Rookie Sports Illustrated Vault March 19, 1990 https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/03/19/the-chance-of-a-lifetime-at-26-minnesotas-sam-mitchell-is-the-oldest-nba-rookie February 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20210728235433/https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/03/19/the-chance-of-a-lifetime-at-26-minnesotas-sam-mitchell-is-the-oldest-nba-rookie July 28, 2021 dead Other free agents included Tod Murphy, who previously played overseas in Spain, and Sidney Lowe. Foster Chris NBA Timberwolves Sign Tod Murphy Los Angeles Times August 17, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-17-sp-979-story.html February 19, 2024 Aldridge David Professional Basketball The Washington Post September 16, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/09/17/professional-basketball/e4d00975-0c11-4dc5-8f58-7b36408b682f/ February 19, 2024 However, Mahorn never played for the Timberwolves due to a contract dispute, and was later on traded to the Philadelphia 76ers; Mahorn previously won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, in which they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals. 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 30, 2022 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 December 30, 2022 Timberwolves Trade Mahorn to the 76ers The Washington Post October 28, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/10/28/timberwolves-trade-mahorn-to-the-76ers/850ab6ce-9daf-4fee-bd75-7fe72fb8ca31/ July 8, 2023 The Timberwolves received the tenth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected point guard Pooh Richardson from the University of California, Los Angeles, 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 December 28, 2022 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html December 28, 2022 and also hired Bill Musselman as their first ever head coach. Huguenin Mike Timberwolves Have 4 Coach Candidates Orlando Sentinel August 7, 1988 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-08-07-0060090259-story.html December 30, 2022 Winderman Ira Two Coaches Will Have Year Without a Team Sun Sentinel September 18, 1988 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-09-18-8802230831-story.html December 30, 2022 Regular season The Timberwolves made their NBA regular season debut on November 3, 1989, in which the team lost to the Seattle SuperSonics on the road, 106–94 at the Seattle Center Coliseum; off the bench, Corbin led the team with 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Roth contributed 19 points. SuperSonics 106, Timberwolves 94 United Press International November 4, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/04/SuperSonics-106-Timberwolves-94/3157626158800/ December 30, 2022 Pistons Nip Knicks in NBA Opener, 106-103  Lodi News-Sentinel  November 4, 1989  13  https://books.google.com/books?id=HpkzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA22&dq=1989+Seattle+SuperSonics+Minnesota+Timberwolves+106-94&article_id=5027,572435&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_ybjm1IyTAxXU6ckDHQ2XD-IQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false March 6, 2026 Minnesota Timberwolves at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, November 3, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198911030SEA.html December 30, 2022 Five days later on November 8, the team made their home debut at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, losing to the Chicago Bulls by a score of 96–84, in front of 35,427 fans in attendance; All-Star guard Michael Jordan led the Bulls with 45 points, while Campbell led the Timberwolves with a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds. Wire Service Reports  Pacers Blow by Detroit  Wilmington Morning Star  November 9, 1989  4B  https://books.google.com/books?id=lb8sAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1989+Chicago+Bulls+Minnesota+Timberwolves+96-84&article_id=5695,3365754&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-hIO-14yTAxU94ckDHWyKBSAQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=1989%20Chicago%20Bulls%20Minnesota%20Timberwolves%2096-84&f=false March 6, 2026 Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, November 8, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198911080MIN.html December 30, 2022 Just two nights later on November 10, the Timberwolves won their first ever game in franchise history, defeating the 76ers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in overtime, 125–118; Campbell finished with 38 points, while Corbin posted a double-double of 36 points and 13 rebounds, and Roth added 20 points off the bench. Associated Press Basketball: First Victory for Wolves The New York Times November 11, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/11/sports/basketball-first-victory-for-wolves.html December 30, 2022 Associated Press It Takes Time, But Timberwolves Get Their First NBA Victory Los Angeles Times November 11, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-11-sp-851-story.html December 30, 2022 Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, November 10, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198911100MIN.html December 30, 2022 The Timberwolves struggled losing 11 of their first 13 games of the regular season, which included a seven-game losing streak in November. The team posted two nine-game losing streaks between December and January, and later on held a 10–36 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 March 6, 2026 At mid-season, the team traded Lohaus to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for former University of Minnesota center, Randy Breuer. Breuer Thrilled to Be Back in Minnesota Tampa Bay Times January 6, 1990 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/01/06/breuer-thrilled-to-be-back-in-minnesota/ December 30, 2022 Maxwell: "I'm Not to Blame" Orlando Sentinel February 14, 1990 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1990-02-14-9002142969-story.html December 30, 2022 DiGiovanni Joe Timberwolves Castoff Key to Bucks Success United Press International April 16, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/16/Timberwolves-castoff-key-to-Bucks-success/5843640238400/ December 30, 2022 The Timberwolves lost eight of their final nine games, and finished their inaugural season in sixth place in the Midwest Division with a record of 22 wins and 60 losses. 1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/1990_games.html January 13, 2022 Campbell led the Timberwolves in scoring, averaging 23.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, while Corbin averaged 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, and Mitchell provided the team with 12.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, reaching 20 or more points on 14 occasions as a 26 year-old rookie.Sam Mitchell 1989–90 Game Log Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchsa01/gamelog/1990/ November 18, 2024 In addition, Richardson contributed 11.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Breuer provided with 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 51 games after the trade, and Murphy averaged 8.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Roth contributed 6.8 points per game, and Lowe provided with 2.3 points and 4.2 assists per game, but struggled as he only shot .319 in field-goal percentage. 1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/1990.html January 13, 2022 Campbell finished in third place in Most Improved Player voting, 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 1989–90 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html December 30, 2022 while Musselman finished in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Timberwolves led the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 1,072,572 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome during the regular season. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 16, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Roth was released to free agency, and Lowe retired. Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 10 Pooh Richardson PG United States UCLA 2 34 Gary Leonard C United States Missouri 2 38 Doug West SG United States Villanova Roster Minnesota Timberwolves 1989–90 #24429C #FFFFFF #006600 #FFFFFF 45 Randy Breuer C 7 3 230 Minnesota 1960–10–11 19 Tony Campbell F/G 6 7 215 Ohio State 1962–05–07 23 Tyrone Corbin F/G 6 6 210 DePaul 1962–12–31 52 Gary Leonard C 7 1 250 Missouri 1967–02–16 35 Sidney Lowe G 6 0 195 NC State 1960–01–21 42 Sam Mitchell basketball F 6 6 210 Mercer 1963–09–02 4 Tod Murphy C 6 9 220 UC Irvine 1963–12–24 24 Pooh Richardson G 6 1 180 UCLA 1966–05–14 3 Scott Roth F 6 8 212 Wisconsin 1963–06–03 15 Donald Royal F 6 8 210 Notre Dame 1966–05–22 2 Brad Sellers C-F 7 0 210 Ohio State 1962–12–17 5 Doug West F/G 6 6 200 Villanova 1967–05–27 Bill Musselman Tom Thibodeau Bob Zuffelato NBA expansion draft 1989 NBA expansion draft Prior to the 1989 NBA draft, the NBA held a coin toss between the Timberwolves and the other new expansion team, the Orlando Magic, to determine their order for the NBA draft and the expansion draft. The Magic won the coin toss and chose to have the first pick in the expansion draft and pick 11th in the NBA draft, while the Timberwolves picked second in the expansion draft and 10th in the NBA draft. The previous season's expansion teams, the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, were not involved in this year's expansion draft and did not lose any player. Pick Player Position Nationality Previous team 2 Rick Mahorn F/C United States Detroit Pistons 4 Tyrone Corbin G/F United States Phoenix Suns 6 Steve Johnson F/C United States Portland Trail Blazers 8 Brad Lohaus F/C United States Sacramento Kings 10 David Rivers G United States Los Angeles Lakers 12 Mark Davis G/F United States Milwaukee Bucks 14 Scott Roth F United States San Antonio Spurs 16 Shelton Jones F United States Philadelphia 76ers 18 Eric White F United States Los Angeles Clippers 20 Maurice Martin G/F United States Denver Nuggets 22 Gunther Behnke C West Germany Cleveland Cavaliers Regular season Standings MIN MIN Game log Player statistics Regular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameTony CampbellSG82 81 3,164 451 213 111 31 1,903 38.6 5.5 2.6 1.4 .4 23.2Tyrone CorbinSF82 80 3,011 604 216 175 41 1,203 36.7 7.4 2.6 2.1 .5 14.7Tod MurphyC82 59 2,493 564 106 76 60 680 30.4 6.9 1.3 .9 .7 8.3Pooh RichardsonPG82 48 2,581 217 554 133 25 938 31.5 2.6 6.8 1.6 .3 11.4Sidney LowePG 80 38 1,744 163 337 73 4 187 21.8 2.0 4.2 .9 .1 2.3Sam Mitchell basketballPF 80 30 2,414 462 89 66 54 1,012 30.2 5.8 1.1 .8 .7 12.7Scott RothSF 71 3 1,061 112 115 51 6 486 14.9 1.6 1.6 .7 .1 6.8Donald RoyalSF 66 0 746 137 43 32 8 387 11.3 2.1 .7 .5 .1 5.9Doug WestSG 52 0 378 70 18 10 6 135 7.3 1.3 .3 .2 .1 2.6Randy Breuer†C 51 47 1,325 290 84 33 75 518 26.0 5.7 1.6 .6 1.5 10.2Brad Lohaus†PF 28 24 590 110 62 14 22 210 21.1 3.9 2.2 .5 .8 7.5Gary LeonardC 22 0 127 27 1 3 9 32 5.8 1.2 .0 .1 .4 1.5Brad Sellers†PF 14 0 113 19 1 6 3 47 8.1 1.4 .1 .4 .2 3.4Adrian BranchSF 11 0 91 20 4 6 0 65 8.3 1.8 .4 .5 .0 5.9Steve Johnson basketball†C 4 0 17 3 1 0 0 0 4.3 .8 .3 .0 .0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only. Awards and honors Pooh Richardson, NBA All-Rookie Team References Category:Minnesota Timberwolves seasons Timber Timber Minnesota