1989–90 Washington Bullets season

1989–90 Washington Bullets season
Head coachWes Unseld
General managerBob Ferry
OwnerAbe Pollin
ArenaCapital Centre (37 games)
Baltimore Arena (4 games)
Results
Record31–51 (.378)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
RadioWTOP

The 1989–90 Washington Bullets season was the 29th season for the Washington Bullets in the National Basketball Association, and their 17th season in Washington, D.C..[1] The Bullets received the ninth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected power forward Tom Hammonds out of Georgia Tech University.[2][3][4]

The Bullets got off to a fast start by winning five of their first six games of the regular season. However, the team struggled losing 10 of their next 13 games, but managed to climb back into playoff position with a 12–11 record as of December 19, 1989. However, the Bullets lost 16 of their next 18 games, which included a seven-game losing streak in January, and held a 18–31 record at the All-Star break.[5] The Bullets finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record.[6]

Jeff Malone led the Bullets in scoring averaging 24.3 points per game, while Bernard King averaged 22.3 points and 4.6 assists per game, and John Williams provided the team with 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, but only played just 18 games due to a season-ending knee injury.[7][8][9] In addition, second-year guard Ledell Eackles contributed 13.5 points per game, while Mark Alarie provided with 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and Darrell Walker contributed 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, second-year forward Harvey Grant averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, Hammonds provided with 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, Steve Colter contributed 4.9 points per game, and defensive center Charles Jones averaged 3.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.[10]

The Bullets finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 458,332 at the Capital Centre during the regular season, which was 27th in the league.[10][11] Following the season, Malone was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade, after seven seasons with the Bullets,[12][13][14] and Colter was traded to the Sacramento Kings.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
19Tom HammondsPF United StatesGeorgia Tech
239Ed HortonPF United StatesIowa
241Doug RothC United StatesTennessee

Roster

1989–90 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 31 Mark Alarie 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1963–12–11 Duke
G 20 Steve Colter 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1962–07–24 New Mexico State
G 21 Ledell Eackles 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1966–11–24 LSU New Orleans
F 44 Harvey Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
F 12 Tom Hammonds 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech
F 32 Ed Horton 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–17 Iowa
C 23 Charles Jones 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957–04–03 Albany State
F 30 Bernard King 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1956–12–04 Tennessee
G 24 Jeff Malone 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1961–06–28 Mississippi State
C 13 Doug Roth 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1967–08–24 Tennessee
C 50 Melvin Turpin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1960–12–28 Kentucky
G 5 Darrell Walker 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–03–09 Arkansas
F 34 John Williams Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1966–10–26 LSU
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Philadelphia 76ers 5329.646–34–719–2219–7
x-Boston Celtics 5230.634130–1122–1919–7
x-New York Knicks 4537.549829–1216–2517–9
Washington Bullets 3151.3782220–2111–3010–16
Miami Heat 1864.2203511–307–344–22
New Jersey Nets 1765.2073613–284–379–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons5923.720–
2 y-Philadelphia 76ers5329.6466
3 x-Chicago Bulls5527.6714
4 x-Boston Celtics5230.6347
5 x-New York Knicks4537.54914
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks4438.53715
7 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4240.51217
8 x-Indiana Pacers4240.51217
9 Atlanta Hawks4141.50018
10 Washington Bullets3151.37828
11 Miami Heat1864.22041
12 Orlando Magic1864.22041
13 New Jersey Nets1765.20742
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1989–90 game log
Total: 31–51 (Home: 20–21; Road: 11–30)
November: 7–9 (home: 4–2; road: 3–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 November 3 @ Charlotte W 116–96 Charlotte Coliseum 1–0
2 November 4 Detroit L 93–95 Capital Centre 1–1
3 November 7 @ Atlanta W 118–114 The Omni 2–1
4 November 8 Boston W 112–103 Capital Centre 3–1
5 November 10 Cleveland
(at Baltimore, Maryland)		 W 100–92 Baltimore Arena 4–1
6 November 12 @ Portland W 104–95 Memorial Coliseum 5–1
7 November 13 @ Utah L 93–106 Salt Palace 5–2
8 November 15 @ Denver L 98–109 McNichols Sports Arena 5–3
9 November 16 @ Seattle L 98–111 Seattle Center Coliseum 5–4
10 November 18 @ Phoenix L 107–118 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5–5
11 November 19 @ L.A. Lakers L 115–120 Great Western Forum 5–6
12 November 21 Milwaukee W 97–91 Capital Centre 6–6
13 November 24 @ Philadelphia L 108–121 The Spectrum 6–7
14 November 25 Miami W 107–88 Capital Centre 7–7
15 November 28 @ Cleveland L 91–92 Richfield Coliseum 7–8
16 November 29 Atlanta L 104–111 Capital Centre 7–9
December: 5–7 (home: 5–4; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
17 December 1 Philadelphia
(at Baltimore, Maryland)		 W 107–90 Baltimore Arena 8–9
18 December 2 Utah L 98–100 Capital Centre 8–10
19 December 6 @ Detroit L 107–115 The Palace of Auburn Hills 8–11
20 December 9 L.A. Lakers W 103–101 Capital Centre 9–11
21 December 14 Charlotte W 105–101 Capital Centre 10–11
22 December 16 Dallas W 112–108 Capital Centre 11–11
23 December 19 Minnesota W 112–99 Capital Centre 12–11
24 December 20 @ Philadelphia L 111–118 The Spectrum 12–12
25 December 22 New York L 112–122 Capital Centre 12–13
26 December 26 @ New Jersey L 94–101 Brendan Byrne Arena 12–14
27 December 27 San Antonio L 97–107 Capital Centre 12–15
28 December 30 Chicago L 112–117 (OT) Capital Centre 12–16
January: 3–13 (home: 2–4; road: 1–9)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
29 January 2 New Jersey W 110–96 Capital Centre 13–26
30 January 3 @ Boston L 101–120 Boston Garden 13–17
31 January 5 @ Cleveland L 107–119 Richfield Coliseum 13–18
32 January 6 Boston L 88–102 Capital Centre 13–19
33 January 9 @ New York L 127–131 (OT) Madison Square Garden 13–20
34 January 11 @ Miami W 100–89 Miami Arena 14–20
35 January 13 Philadelphia L 101–120 Capital Centre 14–21
36 January 15 Miami L 105–111 Capital Centre 14–22
37 January 17 @ New Jersey L 106–115 Brendan Byrne Arena 14–23
38 January 18 Milwaukee L 112–115 Capital Centre 14–24
39 January 20 @ Houston L 107–127 The Summit 14–25
40 January 22 @ San Antonio L 115–124 HemisFair Arena 14–26
41 January 23 @ Dallas L 105–129 Reunion Arena 14–27
42 January 25 Boston W 112–103 Capital Centre 15–27
43 January 27 @ Philadelphia L 101–125 The Spectrum 15–28
44 January 31 @ Detroit L 109–133 The Palace of Auburn Hills 15–29
February: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
45 February 2 Sacramento W 108–99 Capital Centre 16–29
46 February 3 Seattle L 92–94 Capital Centre 16–30
47 February 5 Golden State W 135–129 Capital Centre 17–30
48 February 6 @ Miami W 118–100 Miami Arena 18–30
49 February 8 L.A. Clippers L 103–105 Capital Centre 18–31
50 February 13 @ Sacramento L 98–106 ARCO Arena 18–32
51 February 15 @ Golden State L 107–113 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 18–33
52 February 16 @ L.A. Clippers W 118–112 (OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 19–33
53 February 18 Indiana
(at Baltimore, Maryland)		 W 116–97 Baltimore Arena 20–33
54 February 20 @ Atlanta W 110–107 The Omni 21–33
55 February 22 New York L 110–119 Capital Centre 21–34
56 February 24 Orlando W 141–124 Capital Centre 22–34
57 February 27 @ Minnesota L 88–104 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 22–35
March: 5–9 (home: 3–5; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
58 March 1 Detroit L 85–99 Capital Centre 22–36
59 March 3 @ Orlando W 132–128 (2OT) Orlando Arena 23–36
60 March 6 @ Indiana L 98–113 Market Square Arena 23–37
61 March 7 Phoenix L 111–113 Capital Centre 23–38
62 March 9 @ Boston
(at Hartford, Connecticut)		 W 115–108 Hartford Civic Center 24–38
63 March 10 Portland L 113–116 Capital Centre 24–39
64 March 15 @ Milwaukee L 91–96 Bradley Center 24–40
65 March 17 Atlanta
(at Baltimore, Maryland)		 L 92–119 Baltimore Arena 24–41
66 March 20 @ Chicago L 97–122 Chicago Stadium 24–42
67 March 21 New Jersey W 136–106 Capital Centre 25–42
68 March 24 Philadelphia L 112–114 (OT) Capital Centre 25–43
69 March 27 @ New York L 100–119 Madison Square Garden 25–44
70 March 28 Denver W 113–99 Capital Centre 26–44
71 March 30 Orlando W 143–115 Capital Centre 27–44
April: 4–6 (home: 2–3; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
72 April 1 @ New Jersey W 105–97 Brendan Byrne Arena 28–44
73 April 4 New York L 107–118 Capital Centre 28–45
74 April 6 Houston W 121–110 Capital Centre 29–45
75 April 7 @ Milwaukee L 100–110 Bradley Center 29–46
76 April 10 @ Indiana L 105–107 Market Square Arena 29–47
77 April 12 Cleveland L 100–102 Capital Centre 29–48
78 April 14 Chicago W 113–103 Capital Centre 30–48
79 April 17 @ Orlando W 129–127 Orlando Arena 31–48
80 April 19 @ Chicago L 117–120 Chicago Stadium 31–49
81 April 20 @ Miami L 112–117 Miami Arena 31–50
82 April 22 Indiana L 117–127 Capital Centre 31–51
1989–90 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

Washington Bullets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Alarie 821023.1.473.204.8124.61.7.7.510.5
Steve Colter 73113.4.478.000.8112.42.0.6.14.9
Ledell Eackles 78821.7.439.322.7502.22.3.6.113.5
Harvey Grant 812522.8.473.000.7014.21.6.6.58.2
Tom Hammonds 61813.2.437.000.6432.8.8.2.25.3
Ed Horton 45108.3.494.000.6092.4.4.2.14.5
Charles Jones 818127.7.508.6486.21.7.62.43.2
Bernard King 828232.8.487.130.8034.94.6.6.122.4
Jeff Malone 757434.2.491.167.8772.73.2.6.124.3
Doug Roth 4209.8.430.000.5002.9.5.2.31.9
Melvin Turpin 591213.9.526.000.7893.7.5.3.84.7
Darrell Walker 818135.6.454.095.6878.88.01.7.49.5
John Williams 181835.1.474.111.7747.64.71.2.518.2

Player statistics citation:[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Washington Wizards". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  2. ↑ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1989). "Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ McManis, Sam (June 28, 1989). "THE NBA DRAFT: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ "1989 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  5. ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ "1989–90 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  7. ↑ Aldridge, David (December 4, 1989). "Bullets' Williams to Miss Up to 8 Weeks with Knee Injury". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  8. ↑ Aldridge, David (December 8, 1989). "Modern Medicine, Time Are on Williams's Side". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  9. ↑ Aldridge, David (March 15, 1990). "Bullets Don't Expect Williams to Return". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "1989–90 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ "1989–90 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  12. ↑ Brady, Jim (June 25, 1990). "Bullets, Jazz, Kings Make Three-Way Deal". United Press International. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Bullets Get Pervis Ellison in Three-Way Trade: Pro Basketball: Jeff Malone Goes to Jazz, with Hansen and Leckner Going to Sacramento. Nets Deal for Theus, Meaning They Will Probably Pick Coleman". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 26, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ↑ Aldridge, David (June 26, 1990). "Bullets Trade Malone in 3-Team Deal for Ellison". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2022.

See also

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