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1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves season

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1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachBill Musselman
Owners
ArenaHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record22–60 (.268)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Midwest)
Conference: 13th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKSTP-TV/KITN-TV
(Kevin Harlan, Len Elmore, Tom Hanneman)
RadioWDGY
(Kevin Harlan, Dave Shea)
1990–91 >

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Timberwolves' first season in the National Basketball Association.[1] Nearly 30 years after the Lakers left Minneapolis for Los Angeles, California, the NBA returned to Minnesota with an expansion team known as the "Timberwolves"; the Orlando Magic also joined the NBA in 1989 via expansion.[2][3][4][5][6] The team revealed their inaugural logo of a blue wolf with green eyes in front of a silver basketball,[7] and new uniforms with the color scheme of blue, green, white, and silver.[8][9]

In the 1989 NBA Expansion Draft, the Timberwolves selected veteran players like Rick Mahorn, Tyrone Corbin, Steve Johnson, Brad Lohaus and Scott Roth.[10][11][12][13][14] The team also signed free agents Tony Campbell, who won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1988 NBA Finals,[15][16][17] and rookie forward Sam Mitchell out of Mercer University; Mitchell was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a third-round draft pick in the 1985 NBA draft, but was released to free agency during the preseason, and previously played overseas in France and in the Continental Basketball Association.[18][19][20] Other free agents included Tod Murphy, who previously played overseas in Spain, and Sidney Lowe.[21][22] However, Mahorn never played for the T-Wolves due to a contract dispute, and was later on traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.[23][24][25][26] The Timberwolves received the tenth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected point guard Pooh Richardson out of UCLA.[27][28][29][30] The team hired Bill Musselman as their first ever head coach.[31][32]

The Timberwolves made their regular season debut on November 3, 1989, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics on the road, 106–94.[33][34] Five days later, they made their home debut at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, losing to the Chicago Bulls, 96–84.[35] Just two nights later, the T-Wolves would get their first win, defeating the 76ers in overtime, 125–118, on November 10.[36][37][38] At mid-season, the team traded Lohaus to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Randy Breuer.[39][40][41] The Timberwolves struggled in their first season, posting two nine-game losing streaks, and finishing sixth place in the Midwest Division with a 22–60 record.[42]

Campbell led the team in scoring, averaging 23.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, and finishing in third place in Most Improved Player voting,[43] while Corbin averaged 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, and Mitchell provided the team with 12.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In addition, Richardson contributed 11.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Murphy provided with 8.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and Lowe contributed 2.3 points and 4.2 assists per game, only shooting just .319 in field-goal percentage.[44]

The team's inaugural logo and uniforms both remained in use until 1996.

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 1989 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 10 Pooh Richardson PG  United States UCLA
2 34 Gary Leonard C  United States Missouri
2 38 Doug West SG  United States Villanova

Roster

[edit]
1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 45 Breuer, Randy 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1960–10–11 Minnesota
G/F 19 Campbell, Tony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–05–07 Ohio State
G/F 23 Corbin, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–31 DePaul
C 52 Leonard, Gary 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1967–02–16 Missouri
G 35 Lowe, Sidney 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1960–01–21 NC State
F 42 Mitchell, Sam 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–09–02 Mercer
C 4 Murphy, Tod 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–12–24 UC Irvine
G 24 Richardson, Pooh 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–05–14 UCLA
F 3 Roth, Scott 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 212 lb (96 kg) 1963–06–03 Wisconsin
F 15 Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
F/C 2 Sellers, Brad 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–17 Ohio State
G/F 5 West, Doug 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1967–05–27 Villanova
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

NBA expansion draft

[edit]
Main article: 1989 NBA expansion draft

Prior to the 1989 NBA draft, the NBA held a coin toss between the Timberwolves and the other new expansion team, the Orlando Magic, to determine their order for the NBA draft and the expansion draft. The Magic won the coin toss and chose to have the first pick in the expansion draft and pick 11th in the NBA draft, while the Timberwolves picked second in the expansion draft and 10th in the NBA draft.

The previous season's expansion teams, the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, were not involved in this year's expansion draft and did not lose any player.

Pick Player Position Nationality Previous Team
2 Rick Mahorn F/C  United States Detroit Pistons
4 Tyrone Corbin G/F  United States Phoenix Suns
6 Steve Johnson F/C  United States Portland Trail Blazers
8 Brad Lohaus F/C  United States Sacramento Kings
10 David Rivers G  United States Los Angeles Lakers
12 Mark Davis G/F  United States Milwaukee Bucks
14 Scott Roth F  United States San Antonio Spurs
16 Shelton Jones F  United States Philadelphia 76ers
18 Eric White F  United States Los Angeles Clippers
20 Maurice Martin G/F  United States Denver Nuggets
22 Gunther Behnke C  West Germany Cleveland Cavaliers

Regular season

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 – 34–7 22–19 19–9
x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 1 36–5 19–22 21–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 47 35 .573 9 30–11 17–24 17–11
x-Denver Nuggets 43 39 .524 13 28–13 15–26 15–13
x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 15 31–10 10–31 13–15
Minnesota Timberwolves 22 60 .268 34 17–24 5–36 6–22
Charlotte Hornets 19 63 .232 37 13–28 6–35 7–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 63 19 .768 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 7
3 x-Portland Trail Blazers 59 23 .720 4
4 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Phoenix Suns 54 28 .659 9
6 x-Dallas Mavericks 47 35 .573 16
7 x-Denver Nuggets 43 39 .524 20
8 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 22
9 Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22
10 Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 26
11 Los Angeles Clippers 30 52 .366 33
12 Sacramento Kings 23 59 .280 40
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 22 60 .268 41
14 Charlotte Hornets 19 63 .232 44

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
1989–90 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta – 1–3 2–0 0–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 3–1 – 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 5–1 4–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3
Charlotte 0–2 0–2 – 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–2 0–2 2–2 1–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 0–5 0–2
Chicago 5–0 2–2 2–0 – 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1
Cleveland 3–2 1–3 1–1 0–5 – 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 – 2–3 1–1 3–1 4–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 – 0–2 2–2 4–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1
Detroit 2–3 2–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 5–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 – 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–3 2–2 1–1
Houston 0–2 0–2 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–4 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–2 1–1
Indiana 3–2 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–1 1–1 – 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 – 1–4 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–5 2–3 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 – 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 5–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1
Miami 0–4 0–5 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 – 2–2 1–1 1–4 1–5 3–1 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 – 2–0 4–0 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 0–5 1–1
New Jersey 2–2 1–5 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 4–1 0–4 1–1 – 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 3–1 1–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 – 2–2 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Orlando 0–5 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–5 1–1 3–1 2–2 – 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4
Philadelphia 2–2 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 – 2–3 5–0 0–4 3–2 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 – 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 0–4 – 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 – 3–1 3–2 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 2–3 2–2 1–3 – 1–3 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–3 3–1 – 2–0
Washington 2–2 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–5 4–0 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

[edit]

[1]

Player statistics

[edit]

Ragular season

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tony Campbell SG 82 81 3,164 451 213 111 31 1,903 38.6 5.5 2.6 1.4 .4 23.2
Tyrone Corbin SF 82 80 3,011 604 216 175 41 1,203 36.7 7.4 2.6 2.1 .5 14.7
Tod Murphy C 82 59 2,493 564 106 76 60 680 30.4 6.9 1.3 .9 .7 8.3
Pooh Richardson PG 82 48 2,581 217 554 133 25 938 31.5 2.6 6.8 1.6 .3 11.4
Sidney Lowe PG 80 38 1,744 163 337 73 4 187 21.8 2.0 4.2 .9 .1 2.3
Sam Mitchell PF 80 30 2,414 462 89 66 54 1,012 30.2 5.8 1.1 .8 .7 12.7
Scott Roth SF 71 3 1,061 112 115 51 6 486 14.9 1.6 1.6 .7 .1 6.8
Donald Royal SF 66 0 746 137 43 32 8 387 11.3 2.1 .7 .5 .1 5.9
Doug West SG 52 0 378 70 18 10 6 135 7.3 1.3 .3 .2 .1 2.6
Randy Breuer† C 51 47 1,325 290 84 33 75 518 26.0 5.7 1.6 .6 1.5 10.2
Brad Lohaus† PF 28 24 590 110 62 14 22 210 21.1 3.9 2.2 .5 .8 7.5
Gary Leonard C 22 0 127 27 1 3 9 32 5.8 1.2 .0 .1 .4 1.5
Brad Sellers† PF 14 0 113 19 1 6 3 47 8.1 1.4 .1 .4 .2 3.4
Adrian Branch SF 11 0 91 20 4 6 0 65 8.3 1.8 .4 .5 .0 5.9
Steve Johnson† C 4 0 17 3 1 0 0 0 4.3 .8 .3 .0 .0 .0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

Awards and honors

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1989-90 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (April 23, 1987). "No Headline". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "NBA Gives Florida Two Franchises -- Miami, Orlando: League Also Grants Expansion Teams to Minneapolis and Charlotte for $32.5 Million". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 23, 1987. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotton, Anthony (April 23, 1987). "NBA Accepts Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, Twin Cities". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  5. ^ Fowler, Bob (April 23, 1987). "Minnesota Gets 2nd Chance with Another NBA Franchise". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  6. ^ "The NBA Is Back in Minnesota". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 29, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 16, 1989). "Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 16, 1989). "NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 16, 1989). "Green Tabbed No. 1, Mahorn No. 2 in NBA Expansion Draft". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  13. ^ Smith, Sam (June 16, 1989). "Magic Day for Vincent, Not for Mahorn". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "1989 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  15. ^ "Lakers Free Agent Campbell Signs Deal with Timberwolves". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 13, 1989. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 1989. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  17. ^ McManis, Sam (November 21, 1989). "THE NBA: Campbell Gets Shot(s) With Timberwolves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. July 26, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "On the Rebound; Forward Sam Mitchell, Passed Over by Heat, Joins the Wolf Pack". Sun Sentinel. December 15, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  20. ^ Rushin, Steve (March 19, 1990). "The Chance of a Lifetime; At 26, Minnesota's Sam Mitchell Is the Oldest NBA Rookie". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Foster, Chris (August 17, 1989). "NBA Timberwolves Sign Tod Murphy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  22. ^ Aldridge, David (September 16, 1989). "Professional Basketball". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  23. ^ "Mahorn Traded to 76ers". The New York Times. October 28, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  24. ^ "Mahorn Is Traded to 76ers". Los Angeles Times. October 28, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  25. ^ "Timberwolves Trade Mahorn to the 76ers". The Washington Post. October 28, 1989. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "Minnesota Trades Mahorn to Philadelphia". Deseret News. October 28, 1989. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ McManis, Sam (June 28, 1989). "THE NBA DRAFT: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  29. ^ Cooper, Barry (June 28, 1989). "Magic Goes for Quick Fix". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  30. ^ "1989 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  31. ^ Huguenin, Mike (August 7, 1988). "Timberwolves Have 4 Coach Candidates". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  32. ^ Winderman, Ira (September 18, 1988). "Two Coaches Will Have Year Without a Team". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  33. ^ "SuperSonics 106, Timberwolves 94". United Press International. November 4, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  34. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, November 3, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  35. ^ "Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, November 8, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  36. ^ "BASKETBALL; First Victory for Wolves". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 11, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  37. ^ "It Takes Time, But Timberwolves Get Their First NBA Victory". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 11, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  38. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, November 10, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  39. ^ "Breuer Thrilled to Be Back in Minnesota". Tampa Bay Times. January 6, 1990. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  40. ^ "Maxwell: "I'm Not to Blame"". Orlando Sentinel. February 14, 1990. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  41. ^ DiGiovanni, Joe (April 16, 1990). "Timberwolves Castoff Key to Bucks Success". United Press International. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  42. ^ "1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  43. ^ "1989–90 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  44. ^ "1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
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