1989–90 Minnesota Timberwolves season explained

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. 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 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] Mahorn never played for the T-Wolves due to a contract dispute and was 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 head coach.[31] [32]

The Wolves made their regular season debut on November 3, 1989, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics, 106–94, on the road.[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 midseason, 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, with Mitchell providing 12.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. Rookie pick Pooh Richardson contributed 11.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals, and was selected the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Lowe provided 11.7 points and 5.2 assists per game, and Murphy provided 8.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.[44]

The team's inaugural logo and uniforms remained in use through 1995.

Draft picks

See main article: 1989 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
110Pooh RichardsonPGUCLA
234Gary LeonardCMissouri
238Doug WestSGVillanova

NBA expansion draft

See 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.

PickPlayerPositionNationalityPrevious Team
2Rick MahornF/CDetroit Pistons
4Tyrone CorbinG/FPhoenix Suns
6Steve JohnsonF/CPortland Trail Blazers
8Brad LohausF/CSacramento Kings
10David RiversGLos Angeles Lakers
12Mark DavisG/FMilwaukee Bucks
14Scott RothFSan Antonio Spurs
16Shelton JonesFPhiladelphia 76ers
18Eric WhiteFLos Angeles Clippers
20Maurice MartinG/FDenver Nuggets
22Gunther BehnkeCCleveland Cavaliers

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

1989–90 NBA records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
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
Boston3–1 – 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
Charlotte0–2 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
Chicago5–0 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
Cleveland3–2 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
Dallas2–0 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
Denver1–1 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
Detroit2–3 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 State0–2 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
Houston0–2 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
Indiana3–2 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. Clippers1–1 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. Lakers2–0 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
Miami0–4 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
Milwaukee2–3 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
Minnesota1–1 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 Jersey2–2 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 York3–1 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
Orlando0–5 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
Philadelphia2–2 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
Phoenix2–0 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
Portland1–1 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
Sacramento1–1 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 Antonio1–1 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
Seattle1–1 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
Utah1–1 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
Washington2–2 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

https://web.archive.org/web/20121012081643/http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=MIN&yr=1989&lg=N

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
SG82 81 3,164 451 213 111 31 1,903 38.6 5.5 2.6 1.4 .4 23.2
SF82 80 3,011 604 216 175 41 1,203 36.7 7.4 2.6 2.1 .5 14.7
C82 59 2,493 564 106 76 60 680 30.4 6.9 1.3 .9 .7 8.3
PG82 48 2,581 217 554 133 25 938 31.5 2.6 6.8 1.6 .3 11.4
PG80 38 1,744 163 337 73 4 187 21.8 2.0 4.2 .9 .1 2.3
PF80 30 2,414 462 89 66 54 1,012 30.2 5.8 1.1 .8 .7 12.7
SF71 3 1,061 112 115 51 6 486 14.9 1.6 1.6 .7 .1 6.8
SF66 0 746 137 43 32 8 387 11.3 2.1 .7 .5 .1 5.9
SG52 0 378 70 18 10 6 135 7.3 1.3 .3 .2 .1 2.6
†C51 47 1,325 290 84 33 75 518 26.0 5.7 1.6 .6 1.5 10.2
†PF28 24 590 110 62 14 22 210 21.1 3.9 2.2 .5 .8 7.5
C22 0 127 27 1 3 9 32 5.8 1.2 .0 .1 .4 1.5
†PF14 0 113 19 1 6 3 47 8.1 1.4 .1 .4 .2 3.4
SF11 0 91 20 4 6 0 65 8.3 1.8 .4 .5 .0 5.9
†C4 0 17 3 1 0 0 0 4.3 .8 .3 .0 .0 .0

Awards and honors

Notes and References

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

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