The 1989-90 Chicago Bulls season marked a pivotal moment in the team’s history as they continued to build momentum towards becoming an NBA powerhouse. Coached by Phil Jackson, in his first full season at the helm, the Bulls finished the regular season with a 55-27 record, securing second place in the Central Division and third overall in the Eastern Conference.
Led by Michael Jordan, who averaged 33.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, the Bulls demonstrated significant improvement in their gameplay. Jordan continued to establish himself as the premier player in the league, earning his fourth consecutive scoring title and being named to the All-NBA First Team. Supporting Jordan were key players like Scottie Pippen, who further developed into a formidable defensive presence, and Horace Grant, who provided consistency in the frontcourt.
The Bulls’ season was characterized by their strong defense and the implementation of the triangle offense, which Jackson and assistant coach Tex Winter advocated. This system allowed for better ball movement and spacing, crucial for unlocking the team’s offensive potential. The strategic shift was instrumental in improving the overall team performance and setting the foundation for future success.
In the playoffs, the Bulls defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and overcame the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, showcasing their growing prowess. However, they fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Detroit Pistons in a grueling seven-game series. The “Bad Boys” of Detroit proved to be a formidable obstacle, employing their physical style of play to stymie the Bulls’ advances.
Despite the disappointing end, the 1989-90 season was a crucial learning experience for the Bulls. Their close contest with the Pistons highlighted the need for toughness and resilience, lessons that would prove invaluable as they moved forward to claim their first NBA Championship in the following season.
- Regular Season Record: 55-27
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 3-4
Chicago Bulls 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% |
| Michael Jordan | 82 | 33.6 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 37.6 | 16 | 36.7 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 32.0 |
| Scottie Pippen | 82 | 16.5 | 6.7 | 5.4 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 25.0 | 15 | 19.3 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 32.3 |
| Horace Grant | 80 | 13.4 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 16 | 12.2 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Bill Cartwright | 71 | 11.4 | 6.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 16 | 8.1 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| John Paxson | 82 | 10.0 | 1.5 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 35.9 | 15 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 44.5 |
| Stacey King | 82 | 8.9 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 16 | 6.9 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Craig Hodges | 63 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 48.1 | 16 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 29.3 |
| B.J. Armstrong | 81 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 49.9 | 16 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Will Perdue | 77 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 13 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 50.0 |
| Charles Davis | 53 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 28.0 | 6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jack Haley | 11 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ed Nealy | 46 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 15 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Clifford Lett | 4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jeff Sanders | 31 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chicago Bulls in the 1990 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the first round of the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks, securing a decisive 3-1 series victory. Michael Jordan was in peak form, leading the charge with his scoring prowess and electrifying performances. This victory set the stage for their deep playoff run, marking another step in the Bulls' evolution into a championship-caliber team.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-97 | |
| Apr 29, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-102 | |
| May 01, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-112 | |
| May 03, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 110-86 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, showcasing Michael Jordan's brilliance and the emergence of Scottie Pippen as a formidable sidekick. The Bulls won the series in five games, with Jordan averaging an impressive 43 points in the series-clinching Game 5. This victory propelled the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals, marking a critical step in their journey toward becoming a dominant force in the NBA.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-85 | |
| May 09, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-96 | |
| May 11, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 118-112 | |
| May 13, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-101 | |
| May 16, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-99 |
1990 Conference Championship vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking a pivotal moment in their developing rivalry. Despite Michael Jordan's stellar performances, the Bulls struggled against the Pistons’ physical u0022Bad Boysu0022 defense, ultimately losing the series in seven games. This defeat, however, set the stage for the Bulls' maturation and eventual dominance in the early 1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 86-77 | |
| May 22, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 102-93 | |
| May 26, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 107-102 | |
| May 28, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 108-101 | |
| May 30, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 97-83 | |
| Jun 01, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 109-91 | |
| Jun 03, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 93-74 |
Chicago Bulls 1989-90 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1989-90 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 124-119 | |
| Nov 04, 1989 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 102-100 | |
| Nov 07, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 117-114 | |
| Nov 08, 1989 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 96-84 | |
| Nov 10, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-107 | |
| Nov 11, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-102 | |
| Nov 14, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 96-94 | |
| Nov 15, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 108-107 | |
| Nov 18, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-110 | |
| Nov 21, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 121-110 | |
| Nov 22, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 95-90 | |
| Nov 25, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 104-91 | |
| Nov 26, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 120-96 | |
| Nov 28, 1989 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 113-98 | |
| Dec 02, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 114-107 | |
| Dec 05, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 119-99 | |
| Dec 08, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 106-104 | |
| Dec 09, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-105 | |
| Dec 12, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 105-97 | |
| Dec 14, 1989 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 124-113 | |
| Dec 16, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 115-104 | |
| Dec 19, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 93-83 | |
| Dec 20, 1989 | @ Orlando Magic | L 110-109 | |
| Dec 22, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 125-113 | |
| Dec 23, 1989 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 131-104 | |
| Dec 26, 1989 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 112-99 | |
| Dec 29, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 101-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | W 117-112 | |
| Jan 03, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 93-87 | |
| Jan 05, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 127-116 | |
| Jan 06, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-111 | |
| Jan 09, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-90 | |
| Jan 10, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 120-113 | |
| Jan 12, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 107-95 | |
| Jan 13, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 117-111 | |
| Jan 15, 1990 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-106 | |
| Jan 18, 1990 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 132-107 | |
| Jan 19, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 92-84 | |
| Jan 21, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 117-109 | |
| Jan 23, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 107-95 | |
| Jan 26, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 120-109 | |
| Jan 27, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-107 | |
| Jan 29, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 121-111 | |
| Feb 01, 1990 | @ Houston Rockets | L 139-112 | |
| Feb 03, 1990 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 112-111 | |
| Feb 07, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 121-103 | |
| Feb 08, 1990 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 123-98 | |
| Feb 13, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 107-95 | |
| Feb 14, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | L 135-129 | |
| Feb 16, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 119-105 | |
| Feb 18, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-88 | |
| Feb 19, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 107-102 | |
| Feb 23, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-102 | |
| Feb 25, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-106 | |
| Feb 27, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 106-96 | |
| Mar 02, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 112-91 | |
| Mar 04, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | W 118-114 | |
| Mar 06, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 114-105 | |
| Mar 08, 1990 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 98-94 | |
| Mar 10, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 117-105 | |
| Mar 13, 1990 | @ New York Knicks | W 111-108 | |
| Mar 16, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 106-81 | |
| Mar 17, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-109 | |
| Mar 20, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 122-97 | |
| Mar 21, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 99-89 | |
| Mar 23, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-95 | |
| Mar 24, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 116-113 | |
| Mar 26, 1990 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 121-92 | |
| Mar 28, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 117-113 | |
| Mar 30, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 107-106 | |
| Apr 01, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 111-103 | |
| Apr 03, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 109-102 | |
| Apr 05, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 111-104 | |
| Apr 07, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 109-108 | |
| Apr 11, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-86 | |
| Apr 13, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 116-106 | |
| Apr 14, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | L 113-103 | |
| Apr 16, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 111-102 | |
| Apr 17, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-105 | |
| Apr 19, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 120-117 | |
| Apr 20, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 120-116 | |
| Apr 22, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 111-106 |
