The 1989-90 Philadelphia 76ers, coached by Jim Lynam, delivered a strong performance in the NBA. The team finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, placing second in the Atlantic Division. This successful run was largely driven by the standout efforts of Charles Barkley, who led the team in scoring and rebounding, earning a spot on the All-NBA First Team.
In the playoffs, the 76ers advanced past the first round by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a tightly contested series that went the full five games. However, their playoff journey ended in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they faced the Chicago Bulls. Despite a valiant effort, the 76ers were eliminated in five games, as the Bulls proved too formidable. The 1989-90 season was a testament to the 76ers’ competitive spirit and showcased Barkley’s dominance in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Philadelphia 76ers 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% |
| Charles Barkley | 79 | 25.2 | 11.5 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 21.7 | 10 | 24.7 | 15.5 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 33.3 |
| Hersey Hawkins | 82 | 18.5 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 42.0 | 10 | 23.5 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 38.9 |
| Johnny Dawkins | 81 | 14.3 | 3.0 | 7.4 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 10 | 14.2 | 2.2 | 9.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Mike Gminski | 81 | 13.7 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 17.6 | 10 | 12.8 | 5.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Ron Anderson | 78 | 11.9 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 14.3 | 10 | 11.2 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 60.0 |
| Rick Mahorn | 75 | 10.8 | 7.6 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 22.3 | 10 | 9.4 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Derek Smith | 75 | 8.9 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 44.4 | 1 | 11.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jay Vincent | 17 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 100.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Brooks | 72 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 39.2 | 9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 42.9 |
| Kenny Payne | 35 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 40.0 | 3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lanard Copeland | 23 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Nimphius | 38 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Bob Thornton | 56 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 33.4 | 9 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Corey Gaines | 9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lewis Lloyd | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dexter Shouse | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Philadelphia 76ers in the 1990 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Led by Charles Barkley, the Sixers dominated the series, sweeping the Cavaliers 3-0. Barkley's stellar performance, averaging over 25 points and 15 rebounds per game, was pivotal in Philadelphia's advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-106 | |
| Apr 29, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-101 | |
| May 01, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 122-95 | |
| May 03, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-96 | |
| May 05, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 113-97 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite a valiant effort led by Charles Barkley, the 76ers were outmatched by Michael Jordan's Bulls, losing the series 4-1. The matchup highlighted the Sixers' struggles to contain Jordan, who was at the peak of his career, ultimately proving the difference-maker in the series.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 96-85 | |
| May 09, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-96 | |
| May 11, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 118-112 | |
| May 13, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 111-101 | |
| May 16, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 117-99 |
Philadelphia 76ers 1989-90 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1989-90 season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 102-96 | |
| Nov 08, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 115-91 | |
| Nov 10, 1989 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 125-118 | |
| Nov 11, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-96 | |
| Nov 14, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-94 | |
| Nov 15, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 109-96 | |
| Nov 17, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-101 | |
| Nov 18, 1989 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-103 | |
| Nov 22, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 113-103 | |
| Nov 24, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 121-108 | |
| Nov 25, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 111-103 | |
| Nov 29, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-84 | |
| Dec 01, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | L 107-90 | |
| Dec 02, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 100-92 | |
| Dec 05, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 110-103 | |
| Dec 06, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 121-98 | |
| Dec 08, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 107-101 | |
| Dec 09, 1989 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 125-105 | |
| Dec 12, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-82 | |
| Dec 13, 1989 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 112-103 | |
| Dec 15, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 95-88 | |
| Dec 20, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 118-111 | |
| Dec 22, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | W 89-88 | |
| Dec 23, 1989 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 131-104 | |
| Dec 26, 1989 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 114-111 | |
| Dec 27, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-106 | |
| Dec 29, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 105-95 | |
| Dec 30, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-95 | |
| Jan 03, 1990 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 103-94 | |
| Jan 05, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 104-79 | |
| Jan 06, 1990 | @ Houston Rockets | L 124-119 | |
| Jan 08, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 120-116 | |
| Jan 10, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-111 | |
| Jan 12, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 113-102 | |
| Jan 13, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 120-101 | |
| Jan 17, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 112-108 | |
| Jan 19, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 102-95 | |
| Jan 20, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 108-98 | |
| Jan 23, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-88 | |
| Jan 24, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 125-103 | |
| Jan 26, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 120-109 | |
| Jan 27, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 125-101 | |
| Jan 31, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 112-108 | |
| Feb 02, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 119-109 | |
| Feb 04, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 105-102 | |
| Feb 05, 1990 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 114-89 | |
| Feb 07, 1990 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 113-112 | |
| Feb 08, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | L 101-99 | |
| Feb 14, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 122-112 | |
| Feb 16, 1990 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-96 | |
| Feb 18, 1990 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-109 | |
| Feb 19, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | L 115-102 | |
| Feb 21, 1990 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 96-95 | |
| Feb 23, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 122-116 | |
| Feb 24, 1990 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 126-99 | |
| Feb 26, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 129-110 | |
| Mar 01, 1990 | @ New York Knicks | W 105-100 | |
| Mar 02, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 115-112 | |
| Mar 05, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 128-105 | |
| Mar 07, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-93 | |
| Mar 09, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 104-100 | |
| Mar 11, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 107-105 | |
| Mar 13, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 119-102 | |
| Mar 14, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-110 | |
| Mar 16, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 119-110 | |
| Mar 17, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 114-109 | |
| Mar 19, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 108-94 | |
| Mar 21, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 118-97 | |
| Mar 23, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-99 | |
| Mar 24, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 114-112 | |
| Mar 28, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-104 | |
| Mar 30, 1990 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 149-131 | |
| Apr 01, 1990 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 141-112 | |
| Apr 03, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 133-112 | |
| Apr 06, 1990 | @ New York Knicks | L 114-104 | |
| Apr 07, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 112-108 | |
| Apr 10, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 123-111 | |
| Apr 12, 1990 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 110-77 | |
| Apr 14, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 109-102 | |
| Apr 18, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 124-113 | |
| Apr 19, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 107-97 | |
| Apr 22, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 118-98 |