The 1989-90 NBA season marked the 22nd season for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association. The Bucks were without Sidney Moncrief on opening day for the first time since the 1978-79 season. In addition to Sidney Moncrief, the team acquired Alvin Robertson and Greg Anderson from the San Antonio Spurs. Sidney Moncrief would not make the opening day roster again until the 1990-91 season, but was nonetheless a key member of the Bucks’ first two seasons in the NBA.
On Nov. 9, 1989, the Bucks hosted the Seattle Supersonics in the longest NBA game in history. Six players scored 20 points or more and the Bucks won, 155-154, after five overtime periods. The Bucks’ nine-point run in the fifth OT period led to a 155-149 lead with 34 seconds remaining. The Seattle Sonics had a chance to force a sixth overtime period, but were unable to capitalize on the run by the Bucks.
The 1989-90 Milwaukee Bucks ended the regular season with a record of 44-38 and finished third in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. They lost to the Chicago Bulls in round one of the playoffs and finished 45-41. The Bucks were led by Ricky Pierce, who scored 1,359 points, and Alvin Robertson, who recorded 559 rebounds. Jay Humphries dished 472 assists for the Bucks, while Alvin Robertson added 207 steals.
Before the 1989-90 season, the Bucks traded Terry Cummings and Sidney Moncrief. While these two players were key contributors to the team’s success, the Bucks never reached the finals again. The team was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1990 Eastern Conference finals, but they did advance to the NBA playoffs the following year. This year, the Bucks won their first NBA finals since 1992.
The Bucks were led by a superstar who averaged 37 points per game. Scottie Pippen was Milwaukee’s new face. Together, they averaged 45 points per games. The Bucks won one against the Bulls and lost four to them. It was a remarkable end to a season that witnessed the birth of basketball’s most recognizable player. The Bucks made a name for themselves and their fans around the world.
1989-90 Milwaukee Bucks played only 39 regular season games, with a point differential between -64 and -64. The Bucks won only three games in the playoffs, finishing sixth in the East. The Chicago Bulls was the Bucks’ first round matchup. In addition to Moncrief and Cummings, the Bucks had no starting forwards at the forward position. Despite these problems, they remained in the playoffs and made their way to the NBA Finals.
In addition to Sidney Moncrief, the Bucks had a slew of new players. The Bucks lost Sidney Moncrief after the 1978-79 season and acquired Alvin Robertson from the San Antonio Spurs and Greg Anderson. A year later, the Bucks won the NBA title for the first time in the franchise’s history. These teams were the first to have three African American general managers in the league.