1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season

1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season
Conference champions
Head coachRick Adelman
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record59–23 (.720)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Pistons 1–4)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKOIN
Northwest Cable Sports
RadioKEX

The 1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 20th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Trail Blazers acquired All-Star forward Buck Williams from the New Jersey Nets,[2][3][4] and signed free agent Wayne Cooper.[5][6] The team also selected power forward Clifford Robinson from the University of Connecticut with the 36th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft.[7][8][9] Croatian rookie shooting guard Dražen Petrović, who was drafted by the Trail Blazers as the 60th overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft, and previous played overseas in Europe, made his debut in the NBA this season.[10]

With the addition of Williams, Robinson and Petrović, the Trail Blazers got off to a 5–3 start to the regular season, and then posted a seven-game winning streak afterwards. The team posted another seven-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 33–13 record at the All-Star break.[11] The Trail Blazers posted a 10-game winning streak in March,[12] and won eight of their final nine games of the season, finishing in second place in the Pacific Division with a 59–23 record, earning the third seed in the Western Conference, and qualifying for their eighth consecutive trip to the NBA playoffs.[13][14]

Clyde Drexler averaged 23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Terry Porter averaged 17.6 points, 9.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while Kevin Duckworth provided the team with 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, Jerome Kersey contributed 16.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, and Williams provided with 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Off the bench, Robinson averaged 9.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while Petrović contributed 7.6 points per game, Danny Young provided with 4.7 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Cooper averaged 3.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.[15]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Drexler was selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team.[16][17][18] Williams finished tied in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Drexler finished in twelfth place,[19] and head coach Rick Adelman finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.[20][19]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Trail Blazers faced off against the 6th–seeded Dallas Mavericks, a team that featured All-Star guard Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, Roy Tarpley and Sam Perkins. The Trail Blazers won the first two games over the Mavericks at home at the Memorial Coliseum, and took a 2–0 series lead. In Game 3, on the road at the Reunion Arena, and despite losing Williams to an eye injury, and then losing Duckworth to a right hand injury, the Trail Blazers defeated the Mavericks, 106–92 to win the series in a three-game sweep; it was the first time that the Trail Blazers won an NBA playoff series since the 1984–85 season.[21][22][23]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion San Antonio Spurs, who were led by All-Star center, and Rookie of the Year, David Robinson, All-Star forward Terry Cummings, and second-year star Willie Anderson. Despite starting the series without Duckworth due to his hand injury, the Trail Blazers managed to win the first two games over the Spurs at the Memorial Coliseum, before losing the next two games on the road at the HemisFair Arena. The Trail Blazers won Game 5 over the Spurs at the Memorial Coliseum in double-overtime, 138–132, but then lost Game 6 at the HemisFair Arena, 112–97 as the Spurs evened the series. With the return of Duckworth, the Trail Blazers won Game 7 over the Spurs at the Memorial Coliseum in overtime, 108–105 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series.[24][25][26]

In the Western Conference Finals, the Trail Blazers then faced off against the 5th–seeded Phoenix Suns, who were led by the quartet of All-Star forward Tom Chambers, All-Star guard Kevin Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, and sixth man Eddie Johnson. The Trail Blazers took a 2–0 series lead over the Suns, but then lost the next two games on the road, including a Game 4 loss to the Suns at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 119–107. With the series tied at 2–2, the Trail Blazers won Game 5 over the Suns at home, 120–114 at the Memorial Coliseum,[27][28][29] and then won Game 6 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 112–109 to win the series in six games, and advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history, and for the first time since their championship season of 1976–77.[30][31][32]

In the 1990 NBA Finals, the Trail Blazers faced off against the top–seeded, and defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the All-Star trio of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Defensive Player of the Year, Dennis Rodman. After losing Game 1 to the Pistons on the road, 105–99 at The Palace of Auburn Hills,[33][34][35] the Trail Blazers won Game 2 on the road in overtime, 106–105 to even the series.[36][37][38] However, the Trail Blazers lost their next three home games, including a Game 5 loss to the Pistons at the Memorial Coliseum, 92–90, thus losing the series in five games, as the Pistons won their second consecutive NBA championship.[39][40][41]

The Trail Blazers finished 20th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 528,132 at the Memorial Coliseum during the regular season.[15][42]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
1 22 Byron Irvin G  United States Missouri
2 36 Clifford Robinson PF/C  United States Connecticut

Roster

1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 2 Mark Bryant 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
C 42 Wayne Cooper 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1956–11–16 New Orleans
G 22 Clyde Drexler 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
C 00 Kevin Duckworth 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1964–04–01 Eastern Illinois
G 23 Byron Irvin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–12–02 Missouri
F 33 Nate Johnston 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–12–18 Tampa
F 25 Jerome Kersey 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
G 44 Dražen Petrović 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–10–22 Yugoslavia
G 30 Terry Porter 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
F 3 Clifford Robinson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–12–16 Connecticut
F 52 Buck Williams 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
G 21 Danny Young 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1962–07–26 Wake Forest
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 63 19 .768 37–4 26–15 22–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers 59 23 .720 4 35–6 24–17 20–8
x-Phoenix Suns 54 28 .659 9 32–9 22–19 20–8
Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22 30–11 11–30 11–17
Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 26 27–14 10–31 11–17
Los Angeles Clippers 30 52 .366 33 20–21 10–31 7–21
Sacramento Kings 23 59 .280 40 16–25 7–34 7–21
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 63 19 .768
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 7
3 x-Portland Trail Blazers 59 23 .720 4
4 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Phoenix Suns 54 28 .659 9
6 x-Dallas Mavericks 47 35 .573 16
7 x-Denver Nuggets 43 39 .524 20
8 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 22
9 Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22
10 Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 26
11 Los Angeles Clippers 30 52 .366 33
12 Sacramento Kings 23 59 .280 40
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 22 60 .268 41
14 Charlotte Hornets 19 63 .232 44
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1989–90 game log
November
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
December
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
January
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
February
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
March
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
April
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1989–90 schedule

Playoffs

1990 playoff game log
First round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 26 Dallas W 109–102 Terry Porter (28) Buck Williams (16) Porter, Drexler (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
1–0
2 April 28 Dallas W 114–107 Kevin Duckworth (18) Buck Williams (13) Clyde Drexler (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
2–0
3 May 1 @ Dallas W 106–92 Jerome Kersey (29) Buck Williams (10) Clyde Drexler (10) Reunion Arena
17,007
3–0
Conference Semi-finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 May 5 San Antonio W 107–94 Jerome Kersey (25) Jerome Kersey (16) Clyde Drexler (11) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
1–0
2 May 8 San Antonio W 122–112 Terry Porter (27) Buck Williams (8) Clyde Drexler (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
2–0
3 May 10 @ San Antonio L 98–121 Porter, Williams (18) Clifford Robinson (8) Clyde Drexler (9) HemisFair Arena
15,910
2–1
4 May 12 @ San Antonio L 105–115 Clyde Drexler (27) Buck Williams (10) Clyde Drexler (7) HemisFair Arena
15,910
2–2
5 May 15 San Antonio W 138–132 (2OT) Terry Porter (38) Kersey, Williams (10) Clyde Drexler (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
3–2
6 May 17 @ San Antonio L 97–112 Jerome Kersey (22) Buck Williams (10) Clyde Drexler (7) HemisFair Arena
15,910
3–3
7 May 19 San Antonio W 108–105 (OT) Terry Porter (36) Williams, Kersey (15) Terry Porter (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
4–3
Conference finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 May 21 Phoenix W 100–98 Clyde Drexler (20) Jerome Kersey (11) Terry Porter (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
1–0
2 May 23 Phoenix W 108–107 Jerome Kersey (29) Jerome Kersey (11) Clyde Drexler (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
2–0
3 May 25 @ Phoenix L 89–123 Jerome Kersey (16) Mark Bryant (7) Clyde Drexler (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487
2–1
4 May 27 @ Phoenix L 107–119 Jerome Kersey (29) Buck Williams (8) Terry Porter (12) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487
2–2
5 May 29 Phoenix W 120–114 Clyde Drexler (32) Jerome Kersey (11) Terry Porter (12) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
3–2
6 May 31 @ Phoenix W 112–109 Drexler, Porter (23) Buck Williams (11) Drexler, Porter (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487
4–2
NBA Finals: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 June 5 @ Detroit L 99–105 Clyde Drexler (21) Buck Williams (12) Terry Porter (8) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454
0–1
2 June 7 @ Detroit W 106–105 (OT) Clyde Drexler (33) Buck Williams (12) Terry Porter (10) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454
1–1
3 June 10 Detroit L 106–121 Jerome Kersey (27) Clyde Drexler (13) Terry Porter (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,884
1–2
4 June 12 Detroit L 109–112 Clyde Drexler (34) Drexler, Kersey (8) Clyde Drexler (10) Memorial Coliseum
12,642
1–3
5 June 14 Detroit L 90–92 Duckworth, Porter (21) Jerome Kersey (9) Terry Porter (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,642
1–4
1990 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jerome Kersey 82 82 34.7 .478 .150 .690 8.4 2.3 1.5 .8 16.0
Buck Williams 82 82 34.2 .548 .000 .706 9.8 1.4 .8 .5 13.6
Kevin Duckworth 82 82 30.0 .478 .740 6.2 1.1 .4 .4 16.2
Danny Young 82 8 17.0 .421 .271 .813 1.5 2.8 1.0 .0 4.7
Clifford Robinson 82 0 19.1 .397 .273 .550 3.8 .9 .6 .6 9.1
Terry Porter 80 80 34.8 .462 .374 .892 3.4 9.1 1.9 .1 17.6
Wayne Cooper 79 0 14.9 .454 .000 .641 4.3 .6 .2 1.2 3.8
Dražen Petrović 77 0 12.6 .485 .459 .844 1.4 1.5 .3 .0 7.6
Clyde Drexler 73 73 36.8 .494 .283 .774 6.9 5.9 2.0 .7 23.3
Mark Bryant 58 0 9.7 .458 .560 2.5 .2 .3 .2 2.9
Byron Irvin 50 2 9.8 .473 .357 .670 1.5 .9 .6 .0 5.2
Nate Johnston 15 0 4.9 .378 .000 .636 1.4 .1 .2 .5 2.3
Robert Reid 12 1 7.1 .394 .333 .500 .7 .7 .2 .2 2.6

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Clyde Drexler 21 21 40.6 .441 .220 .774 7.2 7.1 2.5 .9 21.4
Jerome Kersey 21 21 39.6 .460 .000 .715 8.3 2.1 1.6 1.0 20.7
Terry Porter 21 21 38.8 .464 .392 .842 2.9 7.4 1.3 .1 20.6
Buck Williams 21 21 37.0 .508 .676 9.2 1.9 .6 .3 13.0
Clifford Robinson 21 6 18.6 .358 .000 .558 4.1 1.1 .9 1.1 6.5
Danny Young 21 0 14.0 .389 .379 .704 1.4 1.5 .7 .1 4.1
Dražen Petrović 20 0 12.7 .440 .313 .583 1.6 1.0 .3 .0 6.1
Wayne Cooper 18 0 13.8 .404 .526 3.9 .3 .3 1.6 2.7
Kevin Duckworth 15 15 30.2 .439 .717 5.8 1.1 .3 .6 13.1
Mark Bryant 13 0 12.3 .545 .750 2.2 .2 .2 .2 3.2
Byron Irvin 4 0 11.8 .227 .833 2.0 1.3 .5 .0 3.8
Nate Johnston 3 0 6.3 .545 1.000 2.0 .3 .3 .3 4.3
  • Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Trail Blazers only.

Player statistics citation:[15]

Awards and records

During the season, Dražen Petrović won the Euroscar, presented by the Italian basketball magazine Superbasket to the top player in Europe. Unlike major NBA awards, the Euroscar is awarded for a player's performance during a calendar year, and also takes into account a player's performances for his national team. In Petrović's case, the award considered his performances in 1989 for Real Madrid and the Yugoslavia national team, as well as the Blazers. This was the second of what would eventually be four Euroscars for Petrović.

Milestones

Transactions

Free agents

Subtractions
Player Date signed New team
Steve Johnson Expansion Draft June 15, 1989 Minnesota Timberwolves

References

  1. ^ 1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 25, 1989). "PRO-BASKETBALL; Nets Get Bowie for Buck Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "Trail Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick in Draft to Nets for Buck Williams". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. ^ "Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick for Williams". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "THE SIDELINES: Wayne Cooper Signs with Blazers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 24, 1989. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Blazers Sign Cooper". The New York Times. July 25, 1989. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1989). "Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  8. ^ McManis, Sam (June 28, 1989). "THE NBA DRAFT: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  9. ^ "1989 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  10. ^ "1986 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  11. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Box Score, March 20, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  14. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  16. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 11, 1990). "NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Entire Family Is Back Together--Almost". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  17. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
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  19. ^ a b "1989–90 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  20. ^ "Riley Edges Adelman, Lynam as Sporting News' Top NBA Coach". Deseret News. May 27, 1990. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  21. ^ Rabun, Mike (May 1, 1990). "Trail Blazers 106, Mavericks 92". United Press International. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  22. ^ Hafner, Dan (May 2, 1990). "Portland Victory Could Prove Costly: NBA Playoffs: Trail Blazers Win at Dallas, But Williams and Duckworth Are Injured. The Pistons and Spurs Also Sweep Their Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  23. ^ "1990 NBA Western Conference First Round: Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  24. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Blazers Defeat Spurs in Clincher". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 20, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  25. ^ McManis, Sam (May 20, 1990). "Trail Blazers Cut Spurs Off at Pass in Overtime: NBA Playoffs: Strickland's No-Look Lob Finds No Teammate. Instead, It Helps Send Portland to the Western Conference finals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  26. ^ "1990 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Barnes, Mike (May 29, 1990). "Portland 120, Phoenix 114". United Press International. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 30, 1990). "Blazers Grab Lead in Series". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  29. ^ McManis, Sam (May 30, 1990). "Revived Drexler Helps Fuel Victory by Trail Blazers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 1, 1990). "Blazers, Overcoming Road Jinx, Reach Final". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  31. ^ McManis, Sam (June 1, 1990). "Trail Blazers Take One Away on Road, 112-109: NBA Playoffs: Williams Makes Key Steal. Johnson Misses Second Half as Suns Are Ousted". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "1990 NBA Western Conference Finals: Suns vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  33. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 6, 1990). "Portland Tries to Swallow a Bitter Loss". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  34. ^ McManis, Sam (June 6, 1990). "Daly Simply Puts Trust in Thomas as Pistons Rally: NBA Finals: Detroit Guard Scores 14 of His 33 Points During a 19-4 Piston Run That Beats Portland, 105-99". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  35. ^ Aldridge, David (June 6, 1990). "Thomas Leads, Pistons Follow to 105-99 Game 1 Victory". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  36. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 8, 1990). "BASKETBALL; Drexler Is Confident as Blazers Go Home". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  37. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 8, 1990). "Trail Blazers Get Even for Game 1 Collapse, 106-105: NBA Finals: Drexler's Free Throws Finally Defuse Laimbeer's Bombs in Overtime. The Next Three Games Are in Portland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  38. ^ Aldridge, David (June 8, 1990). "Blazers Win in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  39. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1990). "Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  40. ^ McManis, Sam (June 15, 1990). "Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  41. ^ "1990 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "1989–90 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2026.