1989–90 Sacramento Kings season

1989–90 Sacramento Kings season
Head coachJerry Reynolds
Dick Motta
OwnersJoseph Benvenuti
Gregg Lukenbill
ArenaARCO Arena
Results
Record23–59 (.280)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Pacific)
Conference: 12th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKRBK-TV
RadioKFBK

The 1989–90 Sacramento Kings season was the 41st season for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association, and their fifth season in Sacramento, California.[1] The Kings won the NBA draft lottery, and selected power forward Pervis Ellison from the University of Louisville with the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired former All-Star center Ralph Sampson from the Golden State Warriors,[5][6] and later on signed free agent Greg Kite in November.[7]

However, during the off-season, the Kings were hit with tragedy when last year's top draft pick, Ricky Berry, committed suicide on August 14, 1989, at the age of 24; Berry died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his suburban home in Sacramento, after an argument with his wife, Valerie.[8][9][10] Berry had just completed a stellar rookie season with the Kings, in which he averaged 11.0 points per game, and shot .406 in three-point field-goal percentage in 64 games during the 1988–89 season.[11]

Prior to the start of the regular season, Ellison had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot and ankle, then later on suffered tendinitis in the toe on his right foot, as he only appeared in just 34 games.[12][13][14] After a 6–10 start to the season, the Kings struggled and posted a 10-game losing streak in December. Head coach Jerry Reynolds was fired after a 7–21 start to the season, and was replaced with former Dallas Mavericks coach Dick Motta, who came out of his retirement.[15][16][17] The Kings posted a six-game losing streak between January and February, and held a 12–34 record at the All-Star break.[18] At mid-season, the team traded Kenny Smith to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Antoine Carr, and Sedric Toney.[19][20][21] The Kings lost 13 of their final 14 games of the season, which included a 7-game losing streak between March and April, and six straight losses to close the season, finishing in last place in the Pacific Division with a 23–59 record.[22]

Wayman Tisdale averaged 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while Carr averaged 18.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 33 games after the trade, and Danny Ainge provided the team with 17.9 points, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and also led them with 108 three-point field goals. In addition, Rodney McCray provided with 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, while second-year guard Vinny Del Negro contributed 9.7 points and 3.3 assists per game, and Harold Pressley averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Ellison averaged 8.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, Toney contributed 5.5 points and 3.8 assists per game in 32 games, but only shot .320 in field-goal percentage, Sampson provided with 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in only just 26 games, and Kite averaged 3.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.[23]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, and before the mid-season trade, Smith participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[24][25] Carr finished in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[26] Following the season, Ellison was traded to the Washington Bullets in a three-team trade, and after only one season with the Kings,[27][28][29] while Ainge was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,[30][31][32] McCray was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks,[33][34][35] Kite signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,[36][37] and Del Negro, Pressley and Toney were all released to free agency.

Draft picks

Main article: 1989 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 1 Pervis Ellison C/PF  United States Louisville

Roster

1989–90 Sacramento Kings roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Danny Ainge 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1959–03–17 BYU
G 33 Randy Allen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–01–26 Florida State
F/C 35 Antoine Carr 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1961–07–23 Wichita State
G 15 Vinny Del Negro 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1966–08–09 NC State
F/C 42 Pervis Ellison 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1967–04–03 Louisville
G 2 Michael Jackson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1964–07–13 Georgetown
C 32 Greg Kite 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1961–08–05 BYU
F 22 Rodney McCray 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1961–08–29 Louisville
F 21 Harold Pressley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–07–14 Villanova
C 50 Ralph Sampson 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1960–07–07 Virginia
F/C 23 Wayman Tisdale 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–06–09 Oklahoma
G 11 Sedric Toney 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 1962–04–13 Dayton
F 4 Henry Turner 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1966–04–18 Cal State Fullerton
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 63 19 .768 – 37–4 26–15 22–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers 59 23 .720 4 35–6 24–17 20–8
x-Phoenix Suns 54 28 .659 9 32–9 22–19 20–8
Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22 30–11 11–30 11–17
Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 26 27–14 10–31 11–17
Los Angeles Clippers 30 52 .366 33 20–21 10–31 7–21
Sacramento Kings 23 59 .280 40 16–25 7–34 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
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Rodney McCray 82 82 39.5 .515 .262 .784 8.2 4.6 .7 .9 16.6
Wayman Tisdale 79 79 37.2 .525 .000 .783 7.5 1.4 .7 .7 22.3
Vinny Del Negro 76 29 24.4 .462 .313 .871 2.6 3.3 .8 .1 9.7
Danny Ainge 75 68 36.4 .438 .374 .831 4.3 6.0 1.5 .2 17.9
Harold Pressley 72 10 22.3 .424 .311 .780 4.3 2.1 .8 .5 8.8
Greg Kite 71 47 21.3 .432 1.000 .500 5.3 1.1 .4 .7 3.2
Randy Allen 63 6 11.8 .444 .000 .535 2.2 .4 .3 .3 3.7
Kenny Smith† 46 46 38.0 .461 .373 .809 2.6 6.6 1.2 .2 15.0
Henry Turner 36 1 8.8 .475 .000 .615 1.4 .6 .5 .2 4.3
Pervis Ellison 34 22 25.5 .442 .000 .628 5.8 1.9 .5 1.7 8.0
Antoine Carr† 33 4 28.0 .482 .000 .806 5.2 2.0 .5 1.0 18.6
Sedric Toney† 32 9 21.3 .320 .320 .793 1.4 3.8 .7 .0 5.5
Ralph Sampson 26 7 16.0 .372 .250 .522 3.2 1.1 .5 .8 4.2
Michael Jackson 17 0 3.4 .273 .500 .500 .4 .5 .3 .0 .6
Mike Williams† 16 0 5.5 .429 .000 .500 1.4 .1 .2 .4 .9
Greg Stokes 11 0 3.1 .111 1.000 .5 .0 .0 .0 .4
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.

Player Statistics Citation:[23]

References

  1. ^ 1989-90 Sacramento Kings
  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. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Warriors Send Sampson to Kings for Petersen. SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO FOOTBALL; Patriots to Start Flutie. SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO HOCKEY; Fuhr Dismisses Agent. SPORTS PEOPLE: SPORTS MUSEUM; Opening in New York". The New York Times. September 28, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Warriors Trade Sampson to Sacramento for Petersen". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 28, 1989. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  7. ^ "Kings Put Sampson on Injured List, Sign Kite". Deseret News. November 26, 1989. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  8. ^ "Pro Athlete Commits Suicide". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 15, 1989. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Norwood, Robyn (August 15, 1989). "Ricky Berry Is Apparent Suicide Victim: Sacramento Kings' Top Pick in 1988 Found Dead of Gunshot Wound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Aldridge, David (August 15, 1989). "Kings' 1988 Top Pick Berry Commits Suicide". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "1988–89 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Surgery for Ellison". The New York Times. September 26, 1989. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  13. ^ "Kings Activate Ellison". United Press International. February 23, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "Ellison's Ankle Not Ready for Prime-Time Playing". The Baltimore Sun. November 4, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  15. ^ "Results Plus". The New York Times. January 5, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  16. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Kings Lure Motta Out of Retirement". The New York Times. January 5, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "Motta Returns to NBA as Coach at Sacramento". Los Angeles Times. January 5, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  19. ^ "Kings Trade Smith and Williams to Atlanta". United Press International. February 13, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  20. ^ "Hawks' Carr to Kings". The New York Times. February 14, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  21. ^ "Hawks Deal for Guard Kenny Smith". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  22. ^ "1989–90 Sacramento Kings Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "1989–90 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  24. ^ "NBA All-Star Weekend". The Hour. February 9, 1990. p. 32. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  25. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  26. ^ "1989–90 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Brady, Jim (June 25, 1990). "Bullets, Jazz, Kings Make Three-Way Deal". United Press International. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "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 17, 2025.
  29. ^ Aldridge, David (June 26, 1990). "Bullets Trade Malone in 3-Team Deal for Ellison". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "A Trading Flurry Uncapped in NBA: Basketball: Ainge Goes to Portland, Schayes to Milwaukee, Pressey to San Antonio, Bol to Philadelphia After Salary Cap Raised by Nearly $2 Million". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 2, 1990. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  31. ^ Hente, Karl (August 2, 1990). "As Salary Cap Rises, Players Fly Around NBA". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  32. ^ Goldaper, Sam (December 26, 1990). "Resurgence for Ainge as Blazer". The New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. ^ Wilbon, Michael (June 27, 1990). "This Could Be a Veteran's Moving Day". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  34. ^ Love, Ian (June 28, 1990). "Kings Believe in 1990 Draft Class". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  35. ^ "Kings Knew What They Were Doing". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 1, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  36. ^ "SIDELINES: Orlando Magic Signs Kite". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. August 15, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  37. ^ "Kite Signs Deal With Magic". Deseret News. August 15, 1990. Retrieved December 18, 2025.

See also

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