The 1989-90 Houston Rockets season was characterized by a mix of challenges and standout performances. Under the guidance of head coach Don Chaney, the team finished the regular season with a 41-41 record. This performance placed them third in the Midwest Division and allowed them to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference for the playoffs.
Key to the Rockets’ efforts was the dominant play of Hakeem Olajuwon, who continued to establish himself as one of the premier centers in the league. Olajuwon averaged 24.3 points, 14 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game, showcasing his all-around prowess on both ends of the court. However, the team faced inconsistency in their performance, which contributed to their .500 record.
In the postseason, the Rockets faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Despite their best efforts, Houston was unable to overcome the more experienced and higher-seeded Lakers, resulting in a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. The playoff exit highlighted the need for the team to build a more robust supporting cast around Olajuwon in order to advance further in future seasons.
Overall, the 1989-90 season was a transitional period for the Rockets, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments to elevate their competitive standing in the Western Conference. The performance set the stage for future changes and the eventual rise of the team in the early 1990s.
- Regular Season Record: 41-41
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-3
Houston Rockets 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% |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 82 | 24.3 | 14.0 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 4.6 | 16.7 | 4 | 18.5 | 11.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 5.8 | 0.0 |
| Otis Thorpe | 82 | 17.1 | 9.0 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 20.0 | 8.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mitchell Wiggins | 66 | 15.5 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Buck Johnson | 82 | 14.8 | 4.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 11.8 | 4 | 12.8 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Vernon Maxwell | 30 | 12.5 | 2.9 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 24.5 | 4 | 19.8 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 30.8 |
| Sleepy Floyd | 82 | 12.2 | 2.4 | 7.3 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 38.0 | 4 | 18.5 | 3.8 | 10.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 25.0 |
| Mike Woodson | 61 | 6.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 29.3 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Derrick Chievous | 41 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 37.5 | |||||||
| John Lucas | 49 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 4.9 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 29.9 | |||||||
| Anthony Bowie | 66 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 28.6 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lewis Lloyd | 19 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Byron Dinkins | 33 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 11.1 | |||||||
| Larry Smith | 74 | 3.0 | 6.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 4 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Adrian Caldwell | 51 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tim McCormick | 18 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chuck Nevitt | 3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
Houston Rockets in the 1990 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1990 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Despite a valiant effort led by Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets were outmatched by the Lakers' experience and depth, losing the series 3-1. The highlight for Houston was their Game 2 victory in Los Angeles, showcasing their potential against a formidable opponent.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-89 | |
| Apr 29, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-100 | |
| May 01, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-108 | |
| May 03, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-88 |
Houston Rockets 1989-90 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1989-90 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 102-88 | |
| Nov 04, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 132-105 | |
| Nov 07, 1989 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 109-86 | |
| Nov 09, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 128-127 | |
| Nov 11, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 100-92 | |
| Nov 14, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-99 | |
| Nov 16, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 94-82 | |
| Nov 18, 1989 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 141-111 | |
| Nov 19, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 132-94 | |
| Nov 21, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 114-106 | |
| Nov 22, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-97 | |
| Nov 24, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 85-81 | |
| Nov 25, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 85-75 | |
| Nov 28, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 110-104 | |
| Nov 30, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 113-101 | |
| Dec 02, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 106-103 | |
| Dec 05, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 133-123 | |
| Dec 08, 1989 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 09, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 104-90 | |
| Dec 12, 1989 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 105-83 | |
| Dec 14, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 104-100 | |
| Dec 15, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 121-96 | |
| Dec 17, 1989 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 109-94 | |
| Dec 19, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-100 | |
| Dec 20, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 118-112 | |
| Dec 22, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 103-92 | |
| Dec 26, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 103-96 | |
| Dec 27, 1989 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 108-91 | |
| Dec 29, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 103-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 111-92 | |
| Jan 03, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 117-103 | |
| Jan 06, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 124-119 | |
| Jan 09, 1990 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-90 | |
| Jan 11, 1990 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 90-87 | |
| Jan 12, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 107-98 | |
| Jan 15, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-101 | |
| Jan 17, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-98 | |
| Jan 20, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 127-107 | |
| Jan 22, 1990 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 116-104 | |
| Jan 23, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | L 102-94 | |
| Jan 25, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 102-101 | |
| Jan 27, 1990 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 99-92 | |
| Jan 31, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 98-91 | |
| Feb 01, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 139-112 | |
| Feb 03, 1990 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 130-105 | |
| Feb 06, 1990 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 108-101 | |
| Feb 08, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 110-108 | |
| Feb 13, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 107-94 | |
| Feb 15, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 124-105 | |
| Feb 17, 1990 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 104-102 | |
| Feb 19, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-102 | |
| Feb 20, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 97-92 | |
| Feb 23, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 125-115 | |
| Feb 24, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 104-96 | |
| Feb 27, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-102 | |
| Mar 01, 1990 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 112-104 | |
| Mar 03, 1990 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 129-109 | |
| Mar 05, 1990 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 109-105 | |
| Mar 06, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 112-95 | |
| Mar 08, 1990 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-97 | |
| Mar 10, 1990 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 105-95 | |
| Mar 13, 1990 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 117-114 | |
| Mar 15, 1990 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 92-86 | |
| Mar 16, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 118-95 | |
| Mar 18, 1990 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-96 | |
| Mar 20, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 120-110 | |
| Mar 22, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 115-110 | |
| Mar 24, 1990 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 102-97 | |
| Mar 26, 1990 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 113-95 | |
| Mar 29, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 120-94 | |
| Mar 31, 1990 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 106-98 | |
| Apr 03, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 133-112 | |
| Apr 06, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | L 121-110 | |
| Apr 08, 1990 | @ Orlando Magic | W 146-123 | |
| Apr 10, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 115-112 | |
| Apr 12, 1990 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 117-110 | |
| Apr 14, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | W 103-99 | |
| Apr 15, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-102 | |
| Apr 17, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 112-97 | |
| Apr 19, 1990 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 130-127 | |
| Apr 20, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 121-120 | |
| Apr 22, 1990 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 100-88 |