Record 45–37 (.549) | ||
Owner(s) Paramount Communications, Inc. | ||
The 1989–90 New York Knicks season was the 44th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before the season, owners Gulf+Western reorganized and became Paramount Communications, renaming themselves after the Paramount Pictures film studio.
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During the offseason, the Knicks hired Stu Jackson as their new head coach. The team got off to a solid start, winning 20 of their first 27 games, while posting a nine-game winning streak. At midseason, the Knicks traded Rod Strickland to the San Antonio Spurs for Maurice Cheeks. However, as they stood at a 39–22 record, they struggled and lost 15 of their final 21 games. The Knicks had a 45–37 record and finished third in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks' fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference earned them a berth in the NBA Playoffs for the third straight year.
In the first round of the playoffs, New York defeated the 4th-seeded Boston Celtics three games to two, after overcoming an 0–2 deficit. The Knicks were then eliminated in the semifinals by the Detroit Pistons, who later on won their second consecutive NBA title, four games to one over the Portland Trail Blazers. Following the season, Johnny Newman signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Charlotte Hornets.
Season standings
z – clinched division titley – clinched division titlex – clinched playoff spotEast First Round
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 3–2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Eastern Conference First Round (Boston won 3–1)
East Conference Semifinals
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (5) New York Knicks: Pistons win series 4–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Eastern Conference First Round (New York won 3–2)