1989–90 Houston Rockets season
The 1989–90 NBA season was the Rockets' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 19th season in the city of Houston. After a 9–6 start to the season, the Rockets would struggle posting a 12–18 record as they entered the New Year. However, they would manage to win seven of their next nine games. At midseason, the Rockets acquired Vernon Maxwell from the San Antonio Spurs as they continued to play .500 basketball for the rest of the season. They finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record, winning a tie-breaker over the Seattle SuperSonics for the #8 seed in the Western Conference. Akeem Olajuwon led the Rockets with 24.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, while being selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game. However, in the first round of the playoffs, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in four games.
Draft picks
The Rockets had no draft picks in 1989.
Roster
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InjuredRegular season
Season standings
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Playoffs
West First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Houston Rockets: Lakers win series 3-1
- Game 1 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (April 27): Los Angeles 101, Houston 89
- Game 2 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (April 29): Los Angeles 104, Houston 100
- Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 1): Houston 114, Los Angeles 108
- Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 3): Los Angeles 109, Houston 88
Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4-1)
Player statistics
| 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 |