The 1989-90 New York Knicks season was marked by significant changes and moderate success. Under the guidance of head coach Stu Jackson, who was in his first year at the helm, the team aimed to build on their previous season’s playoff appearance. The Knicks ended the regular season with a 45-37 record, finishing third in the Atlantic Division. Their performance secured them a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, showcasing a team that was competitive but still searching for consistency.
One of the standout performers for the Knicks was Patrick Ewing, who continued to assert himself as one of the elite centers in the NBA. Ewing averaged 28.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game, earning him an All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA First Team. The team also benefited from the play of Charles Oakley, who provided toughness and rebounding, averaging 11.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. The backcourt saw contributions from players like Mark Jackson and Gerald Wilkins, each bringing their own strengths to the team’s dynamic.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the first round. The series was a hard-fought battle, with the Knicks emerging victorious in five games, winning the series 3-2. However, their postseason run was cut short in the second round, where they faced the eventual NBA champions, the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks were swept in four games by the Pistons, highlighting the gap between them and the league’s elite teams. Overall, the 1989-90 season was a step forward for the Knicks, but it also underscored the need for further development to become true championship contenders.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1989-90 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 82 | 28.6 | 10.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 25.0 | 10 | 29.4 | 10.5 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 50.0 |
| Charles Oakley | 61 | 14.6 | 11.9 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 10 | 12.1 | 11.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 100.0 |
| Gerald Wilkins | 82 | 14.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 31.2 | 10 | 14.6 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 25.0 |
| Johnny Newman | 80 | 12.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 31.7 | 10 | 11.7 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 40.0 |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | 22 | 11.7 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 52.6 | 10 | 7.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 46.2 |
| Mark Jackson | 82 | 9.9 | 3.9 | 7.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 26.7 | 9 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rod Strickland | 51 | 8.4 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 28.6 | |||||||
| Trent Tucker | 81 | 8.2 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 38.8 | 10 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 37.0 |
| Maurice Cheeks | 31 | 7.9 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 42.9 | 10 | 12.8 | 3.9 | 8.5 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Walker | 68 | 7.9 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 40.0 | 10 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Eddie Lee Wilkins | 79 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 7 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Pete Myers | 24 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Brian Quinnett | 31 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Stuart Gray | 19 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Greg Butler | 13 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks in the 1990 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the first round of the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in a gripping five-game series. Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks fell short, losing the series 3-2. Patrick Ewing shone brightly for New York, delivering standout performances, but it wasn't enough to overcome Boston's experience and depth.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 116-105 | |
| Apr 28, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 157-128 | |
| May 02, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 102-99 | |
| May 04, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 135-108 | |
| May 06, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | W 121-114 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where their run was halted by the eventual champions. Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks were overwhelmed by the Pistons' notorious u0022Bad Boysu0022 defense, losing the series 4-1. Patrick Ewing led the Knicks with his dominant presence, but Detroit's depth and physicality proved too formidable.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 08, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 112-77 | |
| May 10, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 104-97 | |
| May 12, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 111-103 | |
| May 13, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 102-90 | |
| May 15, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 95-84 |
New York Knicks 1989-90 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1989-90 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-103 | |
| Nov 04, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 119-99 | |
| Nov 06, 1989 | @ Orlando Magic | L 118-110 | |
| Nov 09, 1989 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 107-105 | |
| Nov 11, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 112-111 | |
| Nov 14, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 118-117 | |
| Nov 16, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 121-102 | |
| Nov 18, 1989 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 111-96 | |
| Nov 21, 1989 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 114-106 | |
| Nov 22, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 97-85 | |
| Nov 25, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 125-108 | |
| Nov 27, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 119-108 | |
| Nov 29, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 129-111 | |
| Nov 30, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-122 | |
| Dec 02, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 122-112 | |
| Dec 03, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-104 | |
| Dec 05, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-103 | |
| Dec 06, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 113-98 | |
| Dec 09, 1989 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 124-92 | |
| Dec 15, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 113-109 | |
| Dec 16, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 118-97 | |
| Dec 19, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 115-107 | |
| Dec 22, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | W 122-112 | |
| Dec 23, 1989 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 94-85 | |
| Dec 26, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 100-94 | |
| Dec 28, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 106-104 | |
| Dec 30, 1989 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 113-107 | |
| Jan 02, 1990 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 113-99 | |
| Jan 04, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 100-95 | |
| Jan 06, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 117-106 | |
| Jan 07, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-109 | |
| Jan 09, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 131-127 | |
| Jan 10, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 113-111 | |
| Jan 12, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 101-96 | |
| Jan 13, 1990 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 107-101 | |
| Jan 15, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 109-106 | |
| Jan 17, 1990 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 101-97 | |
| Jan 19, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 117-103 | |
| Jan 21, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 117-109 | |
| Jan 23, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-97 | |
| Jan 25, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | L 115-89 | |
| Jan 27, 1990 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 110-96 | |
| Jan 31, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 97-91 | |
| Feb 01, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 96-89 | |
| Feb 03, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 112-98 | |
| Feb 05, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 116-107 | |
| Feb 06, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | W 117-110 | |
| Feb 08, 1990 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 122-118 | |
| Feb 13, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 114-109 | |
| Feb 15, 1990 | @ Houston Rockets | L 124-105 | |
| Feb 17, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 119-108 | |
| Feb 22, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 119-110 | |
| Feb 23, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | L 128-121 | |
| Feb 25, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 98-87 | |
| Feb 27, 1990 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-87 | |
| Mar 01, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 105-100 | |
| Mar 03, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 106-105 | |
| Mar 06, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 112-100 | |
| Mar 07, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-93 | |
| Mar 10, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-91 | |
| Mar 11, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 106-90 | |
| Mar 13, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 111-108 | |
| Mar 15, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 102-82 | |
| Mar 17, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-111 | |
| Mar 20, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 121-118 | |
| Mar 23, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 106-93 | |
| Mar 24, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 115-110 | |
| Mar 27, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 119-100 | |
| Mar 28, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-101 | |
| Mar 30, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-106 | |
| Mar 31, 1990 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 118-115 | |
| Apr 03, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-97 | |
| Apr 04, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 118-107 | |
| Apr 06, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-104 | |
| Apr 08, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 99-97 | |
| Apr 10, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 108-98 | |
| Apr 12, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 108-100 | |
| Apr 15, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 101-94 | |
| Apr 16, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 119-102 | |
| Apr 19, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 96-95 | |
| Apr 20, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 126-112 | |
| Apr 22, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 115-99 |