Record 18–64 (.220) Period 1989 – 1990 Radio WFLF | Playoff finish DNQ Head coach Matt Guokas Arena Amway Arena | |
Place Division: 7th (Central)
Conference: 12th (Eastern) Televisions Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun, WKCF Similar 2008–09 Orlando Magic se, 1990–91 NBA season, 1970–71 NBA season, 1972–73 NBA season, 2002–03 NBA season | ||
The 1989–90 NBA season was the Magic's 1st season in the National Basketball Association. Several years after local developer and banker Jim Hewitt began promoting the idea of an NBA franchise in Florida, he was awarded the Orlando Magic. His first move was to hire Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Pat Williams. Together, the two convinced the NBA to give Orlando a franchise after local fans made $100 deposits on season-ticket reservations. On November 4, a sold out crowd watched the Magic lose their first ever game at the Orlando Arena. The final score was 111–106 to the New Jersey Nets. On November 6, the franchise experienced its first victory as the Magic stunned the New York Knicks 118–110.
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However, the team struggled posting long losing streaks throughout their inaugural season, including a 15-game losing streak near the end of the season. The Magic finished last place in the Central Division with a record of 18 wins and 64 losses. Terry Catledge led the Magic in scoring with 19.4 points per game. Following the season, Reggie Theus was traded to the New Jersey Nets.
NBA Expansion Draft
Prior to the 1989 NBA draft, the NBA held a coin toss between the Magic and the other new expansion team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, 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.
z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spotPlayer statistics
Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average