1989–90 Charlotte Hornets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Charlotte Hornets 1990 19 63 Midwest 7 14 Dick Harter (fired) Gene Littles Carl Scheer (through March 26, 1990) Gene Littles (after March 26, 1990) George Shinn Charlotte Coliseum Did not qualify CHH WCCB(Ted Robinson, Mike Pratt) WBT(Steve Martin, Gil McGregor) The 1989–90 Charlotte Hornets season was the second season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. Charlotte Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season After finishing with a 20–62 record in their inaugural season, the Hornets received the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected power forward J.R. Reid from the University of North Carolina. 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 31, 2022 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html December 31, 2022 In December, the team signed free agent Kenny Gattison. Associated Press  Gattison Signs with Hornets  The Roanoke Times  July 17, 1990  https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1990/rt9007/900717/07170182.htm May 28, 2026 The Hornets moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, also switching from the Atlantic Division to the Midwest Division for the season. Regular season In their second season, and with the addition of J.R. Reid, the Hornets struggled losing 18 of their first 21 games of the regular season, which included a 10-game losing streak between November and December. In December, the team traded Kurt Rambis to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Armen Gilliam. Herald Journal Hornets Trade Rambis for Gilliam Go Upstate December 12, 1989 https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1989/12/13/hornets-trade-rambis-for-gilliam/29519875007/ May 28, 2026 Associated Press Suns Get Rambis from Hornets Los Angeles Times December 14, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-14-sp-439-story.html May 28, 2026 Smith Sam Pro Basketball Chicago Tribune December 17, 1989 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-17-8903190327-story.html March 9, 2022 After an 8–32 start to the season, head coach Dick Harter was fired and replaced with assistant coach Gene Littles as an interim coach. Sports People: Pro Basketball: Hornets Release Harter as Coach  The New York Times  February 1, 1990  https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/01/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-hornets-release-harter-as-coach.html May 28, 2026 Charlotte Hornets Fire Harter as Coach  Los Angeles Times  February 1, 1990  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-01-sp-1635-story.html May 28, 2026 The Hornets held an 8–37 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 February 24, 2026 posted a 12-game losing streak between January and February, posted an eight-game losing streak in March, and lost six of their final seven games of the season. The Hornets finished in last place in the Midwest Division with a 19–63 record, which was one game worse than the previous year. 1989–90 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990_games.html January 13, 2022 Gilliam averaged 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 60 games after the trade, while second-year star Rex Chapman averaged 17.5 points per game, and Dell Curry played an increased as the team's sixth man, averaging 16.0 points and 1.5 steals per game off the bench. In addition, Kelly Tripucka contributed 15.6 points per game, while J.R. Reid provided the team with 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Muggsy Bogues provided with 9.4 points, 10.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Meanwhile, Robert Reid contributed 6.4 points per game, and Gattison averaged 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 1989–90 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990.html June 29, 2025 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Chapman participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. NBA All-Star Weekend The Hour February 9, 1990 32 https://books.google.com/books?id=jSBJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=1990+NBA+long+distance+shootout+roster&article_id=5995,1340443&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiz4_vxrJ-QAxWa6ckDHUiUEScQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=1990%20NBA%20long%20distance%20shootout%20roster&f=false October 12, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 12, 2025 Despite the lack of success on the court, the Hornets sold out every home game, finishing second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves, with an attendance of 979,941 at the Charlotte Coliseum 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, Robert Reid and Mike Holton were both released to free agency. Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 5 J.R. Reid PF North Carolina 2 29 Dyron Nix (traded to Indiana) SF/PF Tennessee Roster Charlotte Hornets 1989–90 #048BA6 #000000 #323290 #FFFFFF 35 Richard Anderson basketball F 6 10 240 1960-11-19 UCSB 1 Muggsy Bogues G 5 3 136 1965-01-09 Wake Forest 3 Rex Chapman G 6 4 185 1967-10-05 Kentucky 30 Dell Curry G 6 4 190 1964-06-25 Virginia Tech 33 Kenny Gattison F 6 8 225 1964-05-23 Old Dominion 45 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964-05-28 UNLV 6 Mike Holton G 6 4 185 1961-08-04 California 42 Dave Hoppen C 6 11 235 1964-03-13 Nebraska yes 31 Randolph Keys F 6 7 195 1966-04-19 Southern Mississippi 22 Ralph Lewis basketball F 6 6 200 1963-03-28 La Salle 34 J.R. Reid C 6 9 247 1968-03-31 North Carolina 50 Robert Reid basketball F 6 8 205 1955-08-30 St. Mary's 32 Brian Rowsom F 6 9 220 1965-10-23 UNC Wilmington 7 Kelly Tripucka F 6 6 220 1959-02-16 Notre Dame 24 Micheal Williams G 6 2 175 1966-07-23 Baylor Dick Harter (fired) Gene Littles Ed Badger Mike Pratt https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990.html April 14, 1990 Regular season Season standings CHH CHH Game log Regular season Charlotte Hornets 1990 #008080 #800080 Total: 19–63 (home: 13–28; road: 6–35) Charlotte Hornets November yes #800080 #008080 3 3 0 8 Charlotte Hornets December #800080 #008080 3 6 0 3 |- | 17 | December 7, 1989 | Portland | L 86–96 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 3–14 |- | 21 | December 16, 1989 | @ Chicago | L 104–115 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 3–18 Charlotte Hornets January #800080 #008080 1 5 1 8 |- | 32 | January 12, 1990 | Chicago | L 95–107 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 7–25 |- | 33 | January 15, 1990 | @ Phoenix | L 108–118 (OT) | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 7–26 |- | 37 | January 21, 1990 | @ Portland | L 100–115 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 8–29 |- | 39 | January 25, 1990 | Phoenix | L 97–124 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 8–31 Charlotte Hornets February #800080 #008080 1 6 0 5 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- | 50 | February 20, 1990 | Portland | L 94–104 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 9–41 Charlotte Hornets March #800080 #008080 3 4 3 8 |- | 59 | March 11, 1990 | Detroit | L 88–98 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 10–49 |- | 62 | March 16, 1990 | @ Portland | L 109–124 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 10–52 |- | 65 | March 21, 1990 | @ Phoenix | W 115–114 (OT) | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 12–53 |- | 69 | March 28, 1990 | @ Detroit | L 97–106 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 14–55 |- | 70 | March 29, 1990 | Phoenix | L 92–105 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 14–56 Charlotte Hornets April #800080 #008080 2 4 2 3 CHH 1990 Player statistics Ragular 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 gameJ. R. ReidC82 82 2,757 691 101 92 54 908 33.6 8.4 1.2 1.1 .7 11.1Muggsy BoguesPG 81 65 2,743 207 867 166 3 763 33.9 2.6 10.7 2.0 .0 9.4Kelly TripuckaSF 79 73 2,404 322 224 75 16 1,232 30.4 4.1 2.8 .9 .2 15.6Dell CurrySG 67 13 1,860 168 159 98 26 1,070 27.8 2.5 2.4 1.5 .4 16.0Kenny GattisonPF 63 2 941 197 39 35 31 372 14.9 3.1 .6 .6 .5 5.9Armen Gilliam†PF 60 59 2,159 529 91 63 46 1,128 36.0 8.8 1.5 1.1 .8 18.8Robert Reid basketball†SF 60 27 1,117 143 82 36 14 383 18.6 2.4 1.4 .6 .2 6.4Rex ChapmanSG 54 52 1,762 179 132 46 6 945 32.6 3.3 2.4 .9 .1 17.5Richard Anderson basketballPF 54 2 604 127 55 20 9 231 11.2 2.4 1.0 .4 .2 4.3Brian RowsomPF 44 2 559 131 22 18 11 225 12.7 3.0 .5 .4 .3 5.1Stuart Gray basketball†C 39 1 466 131 17 12 24 101 11.9 3.4 .4 .3 .6 2.6Jerry Sichting†PG 34 8 469 19 92 16 2 118 13.8 .6 2.7 .5 .1 3.5Randolph Keys†SF 32 5 723 116 49 30 6 336 22.6 3.6 1.5 .9 .2 10.5Micheal Williams†PG 22 1 303 31 77 22 1 151 13.8 1.4 3.5 1.0 .0 6.9Kurt Rambis†PF 16 16 448 120 28 32 10 146 28.0 7.5 1.8 2.0 .6 9.1Michael HoltonPG 16 0 109 2 16 1 0 29 6.8 .1 1.0 .1 .0 1.8Dave HoppenC 10 2 135 36 6 2 1 40 13.5 3.6 .6 .2 .1 4.0Terry DozierSF 9 0 92 15 3 6 2 22 10.2 1.7 .3 .7 .2 2.4Andre Turner†PG 8 0 84 3 20 7 0 22 10.5 .4 2.5 .9 .0 2.8Ralph Lewis basketball†SF 3 0 20 6 0 1 0 10 6.7 2.0 .0 .3 .0 3.3 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only. Awards and records J. R. Reid, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Transactions August 16, 1989 Signed Clifford Lett as a free agent. September 11, 1989 Traded Tim Kempton to the Denver Nuggets for a 1991 2nd round draft pick (Kevin Lynch was later selected). Signed Jerry Sichting as a free agent. September 26, 1989 Signed Kenny Gattison as a free agent. September 28, 1989 Signed Terry Dozier as a free agent. October 5, 1989 Signed Andre Turner as a free agent. October 17, 1989 Traded Robert Reid to the Portland Trail Blazers for Richard Anderson. October 19, 1989 Waived Kenny Gattison. October 23, 1989 Waived Clifford Lett. October 31, 1989 Waived Andre Turner. November 1, 1989 Andre Turner claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Clippers. November 23, 1989 Signed Andre Turner as a free agent. November 25, 1989 Greg Kite signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Sacramento Kings. November 27, 1989 Waived Terry Dozier. December 2, 1989 Signed Kenny Gattison as a free agent. December 3, 1989 Waived Andre Turner. December 13, 1989 Traded Kurt Rambis, a 1990 2nd round draft pick (Negele Knight was later selected) and a 1991 2nd round draft pick (Chad Gallagher was later selected) to the Phoenix Suns for Armen Gilliam. Signed Robert Reid as a free agent. February 22, 1990 Traded Stuart Gray to the New York Knicks for a 1991 2nd round draft pick (Jimmy Oliver was later selected). Traded a 1991 2nd round draft pick (Jimmy Oliver was later selected) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Randolph Keys. February 23, 1990 Waived Jerry Sichting. March 13, 1990 Signed Micheal Williams to the first of two 10-day contracts. April 2, 1990 Signed Micheal Williams to a contract for the rest of the season. April 14, 1990 Signed Ralph Lewis to a 10-day contract. Player Transactions Citation:1989–90 Charlotte Hornets Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990_transactions.html January 13, 2022 References Category:Charlotte Hornets seasons Char Category:1989 in sports in North Carolina Tar Category:1980s in Charlotte, North Carolina Category:1990s in Charlotte, North Carolina