1989–90 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1990 52 30 atlantic 2 4 Jimmy Rodgers Boston GardenHartford Civic Center Dave Gavitt Don GastonAlan N. CohenPaul Dupee WLVI(Mike Crispino, Bob Cousy)SportsChannel New England(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) WEEI(Johnny Most, Glenn Ordway, Doug Brown) First round(lost to Knicks 2–3) BOS The 1989–90 Boston Celtics season was the 44th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Celtics had the 13th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected power forward Michael Smith out of Brigham Young 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 July 5, 2025 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 July 5, 2025 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html July 5, 2025 During the off-season, the team acquired John Bagley from the New Jersey Nets. For the Record The Washington Post October 5, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/10/06/for-the-record/c87f9c4b-4271-4f82-88dd-60da1a00853b/ July 5, 2025 Celtics Get Bagley in Trade with Nets United Press International October 6, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/06/Celtics-get-Bagley-in-trade-with-Nets/5921623649600/ July 5, 2025 After only playing just six games in the previous season due to heel injuries, All-Star forward Larry Bird returned to the Celtics. Brown Clifton With Bird Walking Normally, Celtics Prepare to Walk Tall The New York Times October 13, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/13/sports/with-bird-walking-normally-celtics-prepare-to-walk-tall.html December 15, 2021 Aldridge David Bird Has the Floor, with Motion Being Considered The Washington Post October 31, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/10/31/bird-has-the-floor-with-motion-being-considered/069cf8a3-d422-4d96-aa45-fe8e1e7c32f8/ December 30, 2022 Eisenberg John Boston's Bird Still Scraping Off the Rust: Comeback: Celtics' Star Is Finally Able to Run Up and Down the Court Without Feeling Pain in His Feet Los Angeles Times November 12, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-12-sp-2245-story.html November 23, 2022 However, last year's first-round draft pick Brian Shaw left the team to play overseas in Italy. Celtics' Shaw Reportedly Will Play in Italy Los Angeles Times August 10, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-10-sp-317-story.html November 23, 2022 Celtics' Shaw Signs with Italian club United Press International August 10, 1989 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/10/Celtics-Shaw-signs-with-Italian-club/8323618724800/ November 23, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Another Up-and-Comer Joins Italian Team The New York Times August 11, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/11/sports/sports-people-basketball-another-up-and-comer-joins-italian-team.html December 15, 2021 Regular season With the return of Bird and despite the loss of Shaw, the Celtics played around .500 in winning percentage with a 7–7 start to the regular season. However, the team won 11 of their next 15 games, and later on held a 28–18 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 Celtics won nine of their final ten games, and finished in second place in the Atlantic Division with a solid 52–30 record, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference; 1989–90 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1990_games.html December 9, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the eleventh consecutive year. Bird averaged 24.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while sixth man Kevin McHale averaged 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Reggie Lewis contributed 17.0 points per game. In addition, Robert Parish provided the team with 15.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while Dennis Johnson provided with 7.1 points and 6.5 assists per game. Off the bench, Jim Paxson contributed 6.4 points per game, while Joe Kleine averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, Kevin Gamble contributed 5.1 points per game, Bagley provided with 4.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, and starting power forward Ed Pinckney averaged 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. 1989–90 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1990.html December 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Bird, McHale and Parish were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; this would be the final All-Star Game Bird would participate in. 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 In addition, Bird also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, 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 and finished tied in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting. 1989–90 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html December 7, 2025 The Celtics finished 15th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 611,537 at the Boston Garden during the regular season. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Celtics faced off against the 5th–seeded New York Knicks, a team that featured All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Maurice Cheeks. The Celtics looked ready to make a serious run, as the team took a 2–0 series lead over the Knicks. In Game 2, the Celtics defeated the Knicks at home, 157–128 at the Boston Garden; the team's 157 points were an NBA playoff record for the most points scored in a game. Goldaper Sam Boston Massacre: Knicks Lose Historically The New York Times April 29, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/sports/boston-massacre-knicks-lose-historically.html January 19, 2022 Hafner Dan NBA Roundup: Celtics Run Knicks Out of Town, 157-128 Los Angeles Times April 29, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-29-sp-419-story.html November 23, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 28, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199004280BOS.html April 9, 2023 However, the Celtics lost the next two games to the Knicks on the road, which included a Game 4 loss at Madison Square Garden by a score of 135–108, as the Knicks evened the series. Associated Press  Ewing Scores 44 Points as Knicks Rout Visiting Celtics  Deseret News  May 5, 1990  https://www.deseret.com/1990/5/5/18860074/ewing-scores-44-points-as-knicks-rout-visiting-celtics/ June 27, 2026 Sexton Joe  Pro Basketball: Celtics Stung by Loss  The New York Times  May 6, 1990  https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/06/sports/pro-basketball-celtics-stung-by-loss.html June 27, 2026 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Box Score, May 4, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199005040NYK.html June 27, 2026 The Celtics lost Game 5 to the Knicks at the Boston Garden, 121–114, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Goldaper Sam Breakthrough in Boston: Knicks Roll, 121-114 The New York Times May 7, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/07/sports/breakthrough-in-boston-knicks-roll-121-114.html December 9, 2021 Aldridge David Knicks Nix Jinx, Celtics in Game 5 The Washington Post May 7, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/05/07/knicks-nix-jinx-celtics-in-game-5/615874a9-5a8c-492f-ad48-1a7ef04b4965/ September 20, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-celtics.html April 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Johnson and Paxson both retired, Celtics Won't Re-Sign Dennis Johnson United Press International October 1, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/10/01/Celtics-wont-re-sign-Dennis-Johnson/6269654753600/ November 23, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Johnson Not Offered Contract by Celtics The New York Times October 2, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-johnson-not-offered-contract-by-celtics.html December 15, 2021 The Boston Celtics Have Decided Not to... Los Angeles Times October 2, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-02-sp-1694-story.html November 23, 2022 and head coach Jimmy Rodgers was fired after coaching the Celtics for two seasons. Thomas Jr. Robert McG. Celtics Drop Rodgers as Coach After 2 Years The New York Times May 9, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/09/sports/celtics-drop-rodgers-as-coach-after-2-years.html January 19, 2022 Times Wire Services Rodgers Is Fired by Celtics Los Angeles Times May 9, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-09-sp-189-story.html November 23, 2022 Ryan Bob Celtics' Rodgers Fired by Bosses; He's Better Off Sun Sentinel May 9, 1990 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1990-05-09-9001070351-story.html December 30, 2022 Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 13 Michael Smith SF/PF United States Brigham Young 2 40 Dino Rađa PF KK Jugoplastika Roster Boston Celtics 1989–90 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 5 John Bagley basketball G 6 0 185 1960–04–23 Boston College 33 Larry Bird F 6 9 220 1956–12–07 Indiana State University 34 Kevin Gamble G/F 6 5 210 1965–11–13 Iowa 3 Dennis Johnson G 6 4 185 1954–09–18 Pepperdine 53 Joe Kleine C 6 11 255 1962–01–04 Arkansas 35 Reggie Lewis G 6 7 195 1965–11–21 Northeastern 32 Kevin McHale basketball F 6 10 210 1957–12–19 Minnesota 00 Robert Parish C 7 0 230 1953–08–30 Centenary College of Louisiana 4 Jim Paxson G 6 6 200 1957–07–09 Dayton 54 Ed Pinckney F 6 9 195 1963–03–27 Villanova 13 Charles Smith Charles Smith (basketball, born 1967) G 6 1 160 1967–11–29 Georgetown 11 Michael Smith basketball, born 1965 F 6 10 225 1965–05–19 Brigham Young Jimmy Rodgers Chris Ford Lanny Van Eman Regular season Larry Bird, the Celtics star player, was coming back after surgery to both heels the previous season and later said he never felt the same. Despite the injury, the Celtics were able to rise to 2nd place in the Atlantic Division.https://www.footballfanatics.com/?_p=12834 Sports Apparel, Jerseys and Fan Gear at Fanatics.com Sports Shop www.footballfanatics.com Feb 9, 2021 By the end of the regular season, the Celtics had scored an average of 110 points per a game, and allowed an average of 106 points per game. During the playoffs against the Knicks that year, the Celtics quickly took the first 2 games of the series, but the New York Knicks would come back and rally to win 3 games in a row, sending the Celtics home.1989–90 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1990_games.html December 9, 2021 Season standings BOS BOS Game log Playoffs Boston Celtics 1990 yes #006400 #FFFFFF Boston Celtics #008040 white First round yes yes no 2 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 26 | New York | W 116–105 | Larry Bird (24) | Larry Bird (18) | Larry Bird (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 28 | New York | W 157–128 | Kevin McHale (31) | Robert Parish (16) | Larry Bird (16) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 2 | @ New York | L 99–102 | Larry Bird (31) | Robert Parish (10) | Larry Bird (8) | Madison Square Garden18,212 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 4 | @ New York | L 108–135 | Kevin McHale (24) | Larry Bird (8) | Johnson, Bagley (6) | Madison Square Garden18,212 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 6 | New York | L 114–121 | Larry Bird (31) | Bird, Parish (9) | Dennis Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–3 |- BOS yes 1990 Player statistics Regular season Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Bagley basketball | 54 || 17 || 20.3 || .459 || .056 || .744 || 1.6 || 5.5 || .7 || .1 || 4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Bird | 75 || 75 || 39.3 || .473 || .333 || .930 || 9.5 || 7.5 || 1.4 || .8 || 24.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Gamble | 71 || 10 || 13.9 || .455 || .167 || .794 || 1.6 || 1.7 || .4 || .1 || 5.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dennis Johnson | 75 || 65 || 27.1 || .434 || .042 || .843 || 2.7 || 6.5 || 1.1 || .2 || 7.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Joe Kleine | 81 || 4 || 16.9 || .480 || .000 || .830 || 4.4 || .6 || .2 || .3 || 5.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Reggie Lewis | 79 || 54 || 31.9 || .496 || .267 || .808 || 4.4 || 2.8 || 1.1 || .8 || 17.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin McHale basketball | 82 || 25 || 33.2 || .549 || .333 || .893 || 8.3 || 2.1 || .4 || 1.9 || 20.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Robert Parish | 79 || 78 || 30.3 || .580 || || .747 || 10.1 || 1.3 || .5 || .9 || 15.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Jim Paxson | 72 || 25 || 17.8 || .453 || .250 || .811 || 1.1 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 6.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ed Pinckney | 77 || 50 || 14.1 || .542 || .000 || .773 || 2.9 || .9 || .4 || .5 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Charles Smith basketball, born 1967 | 60 || 0 || 8.7 || .444 || .000 || .697 || 1.2 || 1.7 || .6 || .1 || 2.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Michael Smith basketball, born 1965 | 65 || 7 || 9.5 || .476 || .071 || .828 || 1.5 || 1.2 || .1 || .0 || 5.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kelvin Upshaw† | 14 || 0 || 9.4 || .308 || .400 || .667 || .9 || 2.0 || .1 || .1 || 2.1 |} Playoffs Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Bagley basketball | 5 || 0 || 14.0 || .533 || .000 || .750 || .8 || 3.4 || .8 || .2 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Bird | 5 || 5 || 41.4 || .444 || .263 || .906 || 9.2 || 8.8 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 24.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Gamble | 3 || 0 || 2.7 || .600 || || || .3 || .7 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dennis Johnson | 5 || 5 || 32.4 || .484 || .333 || 1.000 || 2.8 || 5.6 || .4 || .4 || 13.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Joe Kleine | 5 || 0 || 15.8 || .765 || .000 || .833 || 2.8 || .4 || .4 || .6 || 6.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Reggie Lewis | 5 || 5 || 40.0 || .597 || .000 || .771 || 5.0 || 4.4 || 1.4 || .4 || 20.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin McHale basketball | 5 || 5 || 38.4 || .609 || .333 || .862 || 7.8 || 2.6 || .4 || 2.0 || 22.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Robert Parish | 5 || 5 || 34.0 || .574 || || .944 || 10.0 || 2.6 || 1.0 || 1.4 || 15.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Jim Paxson | 5 || 0 || 12.4 || .500 || .000 || .750 || .0 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .0 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ed Pinckney | 4 || 0 || 6.3 || .857 || || .778 || 1.5 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 4.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Charles Smith basketball, born 1967 | 3 || 0 || 3.0 || .500 || || || .3 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || .7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Michael Smith basketball, born 1965 | 4 || 0 || 4.0 || .625 || .000 || 1.000 || .0 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 4.3 |} Player statistics citation: Awards and records Larry Bird, All-NBA Second Team Kevin McHale, NBA All-Defensive Second Team See also 1989–90 NBA season References Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics