1989–90 Indiana Pacers season

1989–90 Indiana Pacers season
Head coachDick Versace
General managerDonnie Walsh
OwnerHerbert Simon
ArenaMarket Square Arena
Results
Record42–40 (.512)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Central)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Pistons 0–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWXIN–TV 59
Prime Sports Midwest
(Bill Hazen, Clark Kellogg)
RadioWNDE–AM 1260
(Mark Boyle, Bobby "Slick" Leonard)

The 1989–90 Indiana Pacers season was the 14th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 23rd season as a franchise.[1] The Pacers received the seventh overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard George McCloud out of Florida State University,[2][3][4] and signed free agents Mike Sanders, and Rickey Green during the off-season.[5][6]

The Pacers got off to a fast start by winning their first four games, on their way to a solid 19–9 start to the regular season. However, the team struggled losing 14 of their next 18 games, and held a 25–23 record at the All-Star break.[7] The Pacers played around .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, finishing in fourth place in the Central Division with a 42–40 record,[8] and earning the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.[9]

Reggie Miller continued to show improvement averaging 24.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and also leading the Pacers with 150 three-point field goals. In addition, Chuck Person averaged 19.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while sixth man Detlef Schrempf provided the team with 16.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game off the bench, second-year star Rik Smits provided with 15.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and Vern Fleming contributed 14.3 points and 7.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, LaSalle Thompson averaged 6.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while off the bench, Sanders contributed 6.2 points per game, and Green provided with 3.5 points and 2.6 assists per game.[10]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Miller was selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance.[11][12][13] In addition, Miller also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the second consecutive year.[14][15] Miller finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Rony Seikaly of the Miami Heat, while Schrempf finished tied in sixth place;[16][17] Schrempf also finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, behind Ricky Pierce of the Milwaukee Bucks.[18][17]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Pacers were swept by the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons in three straight games.[19][20][21] The Pistons would go on to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the 1990 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship.[22][23][24]

Following the season, Green signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Draft picks

Main article: 1989 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 George McCloud SG/SF  United States Florida State

Roster

1989–90 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 54 Greg Dreiling 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1962–11–07 Kansas
G 10 Vern Fleming 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1962–02–04 Georgia
G 12 Rickey Green 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1954–08–18 Michigan
G/F 20 George McCloud 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1967–05–27 Florida State
G 31 Reggie Miller 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
F 42 Calvin Natt 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1957–01–08 Louisiana–Monroe
F 23 Dyron Nix 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1967–02–11 Tennessee
F 45 Chuck Person 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–06–27 Auburn
F 33 Mike Sanders 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1960–05–07 UCLA
F 11 Detlef Schrempf 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1963–01–21 Washington
C 24 Rik Smits 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–08–23 Marist
F/C 41 LaSalle Thompson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1961–06–23 Texas
F 14 Randy Wittman 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1959–10–28 Indiana
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: October 31, 1989

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 – 35–6 24–17 22–8
x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4 36–5 19–22 20–10
x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15 27–14 17–24 14–16
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17 27–14 15–26 14–16
x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17 28–13 14–27 16–14
Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18 25–16 16–25 15–15
Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41 12–29 6–35 4–26
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 –
2 y-Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 .646 6
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4
4 x-Boston Celtics 52 30 .634 7
5 x-New York Knicks 45 37 .549 14
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15
7 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17
9 Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18
10 Washington Bullets 31 51 .378 28
11 Miami Heat 18 64 .220 41
12 Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41
13 New Jersey Nets 17 65 .207 42
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1989–90 game log
Total: 42–40 (home: 28–13; road: 14–27)
November: 8–4 (home: 5–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 3, 1989 @ Atlanta W 126–103 The Omni 1–0
2 November 4, 1989 Cleveland W 106–98 Market Square Arena 2–0
3 November 8, 1989 Detroit W 95–74 Market Square Arena 3–0
4 November 10, 1989 Miami W 102–98 Market Square Arena 4–0
5 November 15, 1989 @ L.A. Lakers L 94–117 Great Western Forum 4–1
6 November 17, 1989 @ Utah L 100–114 Salt Palace 4–2
7 November 18, 1989 @ Sacramento L 102–107 ARCO Arena 4–3
8 November 21, 1989 Boston W 119–111 Market Square Arena 5–3
9 November 24, 1989 @ Boston W 118–111 Boston Garden 6–3
10 November 25, 1989 Philadelphia L 103–111 Market Square Arena 6–4
11 November 27, 1989 @ Milwaukee W 101–97 Bradley Center 7–4
12 November 29, 1989 Utah W 100–88 Market Square Arena 8–4
December: 11–5 (home: 7–1; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
13 December 1, 1989 Orlando W 125–110 Market Square Arena 9–4
14 December 6, 1989 Denver W 136–117 Market Square Arena 10–4
15 December 8, 1989 Chicago W 106–104 Market Square Arena 11–4
16 December 9, 1989 @ Detroit L 93–121 The Palace of Auburn Hills 11–5
17 December 12, 1989 Minnesota W 113–112 (OT) Market Square Arena 12–5
18 December 14, 1989 @ New Jersey W 102–78 Brendan Byrne Arena 13–5
19 December 15, 1989 Milwaukee L 98–103 Market Square Arena 13–6
20 December 17, 1989 @ Portland L 113–121 Memorial Coliseum 13–7
21 December 19, 1989 @ L.A. Clippers L 102–128 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 13–8
22 December 20, 1989 @ Phoenix W 131–130 (OT) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14–8
23 December 22, 1989 @ Golden State L 124–150 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 14–9
24 December 23, 1989 @ Seattle W 98–95 Seattle Center Coliseum 15–9
25 December 26, 1989 Orlando W 98–90 Market Square Arena 16–9
26 December 27, 1989 @ Orlando W 106–101 Orlando Arena 17–9
27 December 29, 1989 Houston W 103–97 Market Square Arena 18–9
28 December 30, 1989 Atlanta W 105–98 Market Square Arena 19–9
January: 4–12 (home: 4–4; road: 0–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 2, 1990 @ Dallas L 106–110 Reunion Arena 19–10
30 January 3, 1990 @ Houston L 103–117 The Summit 19–11
31 January 5, 1990 @ Detroit L 99–122 The Palace of Auburn Hills 19–12
32 January 6, 1990 @ Charlotte L 111–117 Charlotte Coliseum 19–13
33 January 8, 1990 @ Philadelphia L 116–120 The Spectrum 19–14
34 January 10, 1990 Chicago W 120–113 Market Square Arena 20–14
35 January 12, 1990 New York L 96–101 (OT) Market Square Arena 20–15
36 January 13, 1990 Milwaukee W 111–109 Market Square Arena 21–15
37 January 15, 1990 Golden State W 144–105 Market Square Arena 22–15
38 January 17, 1990 @ Miami L 111–121 Miami Arena 22–16
39 January 19, 1990 @ Boston L 104–109 Boston Garden 22–17
40 January 24, 1990 L.A. Lakers L 111–120 Market Square Arena 22–18
41 January 26, 1990 Miami W 115–105 Market Square Arena 23–18
42 January 27, 1990 Cleveland L 84–91 Market Square Arena 23–19
43 January 30, 1990 @ Orlando L 111–129 Orlando Arena 23–20
44 January 31, 1990 Philadelphia L 108–112 Market Square Arena 23–21
February: 7–6 (home: 4–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 2, 1990 Seattle L 86–87 Market Square Arena 23–22
46 February 3, 1990 @ New York L 98–112 Madison Square Garden 23–23
47 February 6, 1990 @ Denver W 138–130 (OT) McNichols Sports Arena 24–23
48 February 8, 1990 @ San Antonio W 105–100 HemisFair Arena 25–23
All-Star Break
49 February 13, 1990 Charlotte W 128–105 Market Square Arena 26–23
50 February 14, 1990 @ Cleveland W 133–131 (OT) Richfield Coliseum 27–23
51 February 16, 1990 @ Minnesota L 105–111 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 27–24
52 February 18, 1990 @ Washington
(at Baltimore, MD) 		L 97–116 Baltimore Arena 27–25
53 February 21, 1990 Atlanta W 123–96 Market Square Arena 28–25
54 February 23, 1990 Dallas L 91–102 Market Square Arena 28–26
55 February 25, 1990 Portland W 117–112 Market Square Arena 29–26
56 February 27, 1990 New Jersey W 118–113 Market Square Arena 30–26
57 February 28, 1990 @ Atlanta L 99–102 The Omni 30–27
March: 6–7 (home: 5–4; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 3, 1990 L.A. Clippers L 105–107 Market Square Arena 30–28
59 March 4, 1990 @ Detroit L 105–111 The Palace of Auburn Hills 30–29
60 March 6, 1990 Washington W 113–98 Market Square Arena 31–29
61 March 9, 1990 Phoenix L 130–134 Market Square Arena 31–30
62 March 10, 1990 @ Chicago L 105–117 Chicago Stadium 31–31
63 March 13, 1990 San Antonio L 102–103 Market Square Arena 31–32
64 March 16, 1990 Atlanta L 104–106 (OT) Market Square Arena 31–33
65 March 17, 1990 @ Cleveland L 102–118 Richfield Coliseum 31–34
66 March 20, 1990 @ Miami W 112–98 Miami Arena 32–34
67 March 21, 1990 Milwaukee W 112–96 Market Square Arena 33–34
68 March 23, 1990 New Jersey W 125–109 Market Square Arena 34–34
69 March 27, 1990 Boston W 101–96 Market Square Arena 35–34
70 March 29, 1990 Sacramento W 111–101 Market Square Arena 36–34
April: 6–6 (home: 3–1; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
71 April 1, 1990 @ Cleveland L 91–121 Richfield Coliseum 36–35
72 April 3, 1990 @ Chicago L 102–109 Chicago Stadium 36–36
73 April 4, 1990 @ Milwaukee L 116–121 (OT) Bradley Center 36–37
74 April 6, 1990 @ Orlando W 123–115 Orlando Arena 37–37
75 April 8, 1990 New York W 99–97 Market Square Arena 38–37
76 April 10, 1990 Washington W 107–105 Market Square Arena 39–37
77 April 12, 1990 @ New York L 100–108 Madison Square Garden 39–38
78 April 14, 1990 @ New Jersey W 124–113 Brendan Byrne Arena 40–38
79 April 16, 1990 Chicago W 111–102 Market Square Arena 41–38
80 April 18, 1990 @ Philadelphia L 113–124 The Spectrum 41–39
81 April 20, 1990 Detroit L 115–121 (OT) Market Square Arena 41–40
82 April 22, 1990 @ Washington W 127–117 Capital Centre 42–40
1989–90 schedule

Playoffs

1990 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 26, 1990 @ Detroit L 92–104 Detlef Schrempf (26) Detlef Schrempf (7) Vern Fleming (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		0–1
2 April 28, 1990 @ Detroit L 87–100 Reggie Miller (23) Chuck Person (12) Vern Fleming (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		0–2
3 May 1, 1990 Detroit L 96–108 Reggie Miller (22) LaSalle Thompson (8) Reggie Miller (4) Market Square Arena
15,301 		0–3
1990 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller SG 82 82 3,192 295 311 110 18 2,016 38.9 3.6 3.8 1.3 .2 24.6
Vern Fleming PG 82 82 2,876 322 610 92 10 1,176 35.1 3.9 7.4 1.1 .1 14.3
Rik Smits C 82 82 2,404 512 142 45 169 1,271 29.3 6.2 1.7 .5 2.1 15.5
LaSalle Thompson C 82 60 2,126 630 106 65 71 554 25.9 7.7 1.3 .8 .9 6.8
Mike Sanders SF 82 13 1,531 230 89 43 23 510 18.7 2.8 1.1 .5 .3 6.2
Detlef Schrempf PF 78 18 2,573 620 247 59 16 1,267 33.0 7.9 3.2 .8 .2 16.2
Chuck Person SF 77 73 2,714 445 230 53 20 1,515 35.2 5.8 3.0 .7 .3 19.7
Rickey Green PG 69 0 927 54 182 51 1 244 13.4 .8 2.6 .7 .0 3.5
Randy Wittman SF 61 0 544 30 39 7 4 130 8.9 .5 .6 .1 .1 2.1
Greg Dreiling C 49 0 307 87 8 4 14 65 6.3 1.8 .2 .1 .3 1.3
George McCloud SF 44 0 413 42 45 19 3 118 9.4 1.0 1.0 .4 .1 2.7
Dyron Nix SF 20 0 109 26 5 3 1 39 5.5 1.3 .3 .2 .1 2.0
Calvin Natt SF 14 0 164 35 9 1 0 57 11.7 2.5 .6 .1 .0 4.1

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller SG 3 3 125 12 6 3 0 62 41.7 4.0 2.0 1.0 .0 20.7
Detlef Schrempf PF 3 3 125 22 5 2 1 61 41.7 7.3 1.7 .7 .3 20.3
Chuck Person SF 3 3 123 20 12 1 0 40 41.0 6.7 4.0 .3 .0 13.3
Vern Fleming PG 3 3 113 13 18 2 1 40 37.7 4.3 6.0 .7 .3 13.3
Rik Smits C 3 3 96 16 3 2 4 37 32.0 5.3 1.0 .7 1.3 12.3
LaSalle Thompson C 3 0 54 15 2 0 1 18 18.0 5.0 .7 .0 .3 6.0
Rickey Green PG 3 0 31 1 3 1 0 2 10.3 .3 1.0 .3 .0 .7
Mike Sanders SF 3 0 24 6 2 0 0 11 8.0 2.0 .7 .0 .0 3.7
Calvin Natt SF 2 0 14 2 1 0 0 2 7.0 1.0 .5 .0 .0 1.0
Randy Wittman SF 2 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 5.5 .5 .0 .0 .0 .0
George McCloud SF 1 0 4 1 0 0 0 2 4.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 2.0

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1989-90 Indiana Pacers
  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. ^ Smith, Sam (December 8, 1989). "Walsh's Law Brings Pacers Right Order". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Hubbard, Jan (December 11, 1989). "Pacers Finally Make Their Move". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "1989–90 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Hafner, Dan (April 23, 1990). "NBA ROUNDUP: Rockets Get Last Spot, Lakers in 1st Round". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  10. ^ "1989–90 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  11. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 11, 1990). "NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Entire Family Is Back Together--Almost". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  14. ^ "NBA All-Star Weekend". The Hour. February 9, 1990. p. 32. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  15. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  16. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Miami's Seikaly Voted Most Improved Player". The New York Times. May 9, 1990. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "1989–90 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  18. ^ "Pierce Wins NBA Sixth Man Award". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 30, 1990. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  19. ^ Slater, Jim (May 1, 1990). "Pistons 108, Pacers 96". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  20. ^ "Pistons Sweep the Pacers to Start Defense of Title". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1990). "Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  23. ^ McManis, Sam (June 15, 1990). "Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "1990 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

See also

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