1990–91 Golden State Warriors season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the Warriors' 45th season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th in the San Francisco Bay Area.^[1] The trio of Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, and second-year star Tim Hardaway were given the name "Run TMC" during the season.^[2] In the opening game, the Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 162–158, the highest-scoring regulation game in NBA history.^[3][4][5][6] Despite their scoring prowess, the Warriors were limited defensively. The team got off to a solid start winning seven of their first nine games, but later on played around .500 along the way. On February 26, 1991, they lost 131–119 to the Orlando Magic despite the Run TMC trio each scoring more than 30 points (the rest of the team totaled 21 points).^[7][8][9] At midseason, the team signed rookie guard Mario Elie after a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers.^[10] The Warriors held a 26–20 record at the All-Star break,^[11] and won their final five games of the season, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division with a 44–38 record.^[12]

1990–91 Golden State Warriors season
Head coach	Don Nelson
General manager	Don Nelson
Owner(s)	Jim Fitzgerald
Arena	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Results
Record	44–38 (.537)
Place	Division: 4th (Pacific) Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finish	Conference Semi-finals (lost to Lakers 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	KPIX KICU Pacific Sports Network
Radio	KNBR
< 1989–90 1991–92 >

Mullin averaged 25.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Richmond averaged 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, and Hardaway provided the team with 22.9 points, 9.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Mullin and Hardaway were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game.^[13][14] In addition, second-year guard Sarunas Marciulionis contributed 10.9 points per game off the bench, and sixth man Rod Higgins provided with 9.5 points per game off the bench.^[15]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Warriors lost Game 1 to the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs on the road, 130–121,^[16][17][18] but would again pull off an upset by winning the next three games, thus the series.^{[19][20][21][22]} However, they would lose to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, four games to one in the Western Conference Semi-finals.^{[23][24][25][26]} The Lakers would lose in five games to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.^{[27][28][29][30][31]}

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	11	Tyrone Hill	PF	United States	Xavier
2	28	Les Jepsen	C	United States	Iowa
2	34	Kevin Pritchard	PG	United States	Kansas

Roster

1990–91 Golden State Warriors roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 4 Askew, Vincent 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–02–28 Memphis F 20 Elie, Mario 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–11–26 American International G 10 Hardaway, Tim 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–09–01 UTEP F 22 Higgins, Rod 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1960–01–31 Fresno State F 32 Hill, Tyrone 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–03–19 Xavier C 51 Jepsen, Les 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 237 lb (108 kg) 1967–06–24 Iowa C 53 Lister, Alton 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1958–10–01 Arizona State G 13 Marciulionis, Sarunas 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1964–06–13 Lithuania C 44 Mokeski, Paul 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1957–01–03 Kansas F 17 Mullin, Chris 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1963–07–30 St. John's C 43 Petersen, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1962–02–22 Minnesota G 23 Richmond, Mitch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–06–30 Kansas State F 3 Tolbert, Tom 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–10–16 Arizona

Head coach Don Nelson Assistant coach(es) Larry Farmer Garry St. Jean Donnie Nelson Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: April 6, 1991

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers	63	19	.768	—	36–5	27–14	18-10
x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	5	33–8	25-16	19-9
x-Phoenix Suns	55	27	.671	8	32–9	23-18	17–11
x-Golden State Warriors	44	38	.537	19	30–11	14–27	13–15
x-Seattle SuperSonics	41	41	.500	22	28-13	13–28	12-16
Los Angeles Clippers	31	51	.378	32	23–18	8-33	10-18
Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	38	24-17	1–40	9–19

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

#	Western Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Portland Trail Blazers	63	19	.768	–
2	y-San Antonio Spurs	55	27	.671	8
3	x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	5
4	x-Phoenix Suns	55	27	.671	8
5	x-Utah Jazz	54	28	.659	9
6	x-Houston Rockets	52	30	.634	11
7	x-Golden State Warriors	44	38	.537	19
8	x-Seattle SuperSonics	41	41	.500	22
9	Orlando Magic	31	51	.378	32
10	Los Angeles Clippers	31	51	.378	32
11	Minnesota Timberwolves	29	53	.354	34
12	Dallas Mavericks	28	54	.341	35
13	Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	38
14	Denver Nuggets	20	62	.244	43

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1990-91 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	3–1	1–4	1–4	3–2	2–0	1–1	0–5	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–3	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2
Boston	1–3	–	3–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	2–0	4–1	5–0	1–1	2–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–1
Charlotte	4–1	1–3	–	0–5	1–4	1–1	0–2	1–4	1–1	0–2	0–5	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2
Chicago	4–1	2–2	5–0	–	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	1–1	0–2	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	4–1	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	3–1
Cleveland	2–3	1–3	4–1	0–5	–	2–0	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3
Dallas	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	–	3–1	0–2	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–4	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–4	2–2	0–5	2–0
Denver	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–3	–	0–2	1–3	0–5	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–4	0–4	1–3	1–1
Detroit	5–0	2–2	4–1	2–3	3–2	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	2–0	3–2	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–3	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Golden State	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	–	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–3	2–3	2–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	0–2
Houston	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	5–0	0–2	2–2	–	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	2–0	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	2–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	2–3	2–2	2–2	1–1
Indiana	1–4	2–2	5–0	1–4	4–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	1–1	1–1	–	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	0–2	2–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–2	3–1	2–0	4–0	–	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	4–0	3–1	3–2	2–2	2–0
Miami	0–4	1–4	2–2	0–4	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	–	0–4	0–2	3–3	1–4	1–1	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–2
Milwaukee	3–2	2–2	3–2	1–4	3–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	1–1	0–2	3–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	–	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–1	2–3	0–2	1–3	0–5	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	–	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	1–4	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–5	1–1	2–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–3
New York	1–3	0–5	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	0–4	1–1	5–0	–	0–2	5–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–2
Orlando	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	3–2	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	–	0–2	2–2	0–4	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–4	1–1
Philadelphia	4–0	3–2	2–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	0–2	3–2	1–5	2–0	–	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–2
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	4–0	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	–	3–2	3–1	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–0
Portland	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	2–3	–	3–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	2–0
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	3–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–3	–	1–3	1–4	1–3	2–0
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	4–1	2–0	2–2	3–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–1	–	3–1	2–3	2–0
Seattle	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–3	0–4	4–1	1–3	–	1–3	2–0
Utah	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–2	3–1	–	2–0
Washington	2–2	1–5	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 25 @ San Antonio L 121–130 Mullin, Richmond (29) Chris Mullin (8) Tim Hardaway (8) HemisFair Arena 15,908 0–1 2 April 27 @ San Antonio W 111–98 Chris Mullin (27) Chris Mullin (7) Tim Hardaway (9) HemisFair Arena 15,908 1–1 3 May 1 San Antonio W 109–106 Mitch Richmond (27) Tim Hardaway (8) Tim Hardaway (11) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 2–1 4 May 3 San Antonio W 110–97 Tim Hardaway (32) Mitch Richmond (11) Tim Hardaway (9) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 5 @ L.A. Lakers L 116–126 Tim Hardaway (33) Alton Lister (8) Hardaway, Marciulionis (9) Great Western Forum 17,505 0–1 2 May 8 @ L.A. Lakers W 125–124 Chris Mullin (41) Jim Petersen (7) Tim Hardaway (14) Great Western Forum 17,505 1–1 3 May 10 L.A. Lakers L 112–115 Richmond, Hardaway (24) Chris Mullin (11) Tim Hardaway (12) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 1–2 4 May 12 L.A. Lakers L 107–123 Mitch Richmond (26) Richmond, Mullin (6) Tim Hardaway (9) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 1–3 5 May 14 @ L.A. Lakers L 119–124 (OT) Tim Hardaway (27) Mullin, Lister (8) Tim Hardaway (20) Great Western Forum 17,505 1–4
1991 schedule

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
Chris Mullin	82	82	40.4	.536	.301	.884	5.4	4.0	2.1	.8	25.7
Tim Hardaway	82	82	39.2	.476	.385	.803	4.0	9.7	2.6	.1	22.9
Rod Higgins	82	9	24.7	.463	.332	.819	4.3	1.4	.6	.5	9.5
Mitch Richmond	77	77	39.3	.494	.348	.847	5.9	3.1	1.6	.4	23.9
Alton Lister	77	65	20.2	.478	.000	.569	6.3	1.2	.3	1.2	6.4
Tyrone Hill	74	22	16.1	.492		.632	5.2	.3	.4	.4	5.3
Tom Tolbert	62	32	22.1	.423	.333	.738	4.4	1.2	.6	.6	8.1
Jim Petersen	62	21	13.5	.483	.250	.658	3.2	.4	.2	.7	4.5
Kevin Pritchard	62	1	12.5	.384	.161	.805	1.0	1.3	.5	.1	3.9
Šarūnas Marčiulionis	50	10	19.7	.501	.167	.724	2.4	1.7	1.2	.1	10.9
Paul Mokeski	36	1	7.1	.356	.333	.800	1.9	.3	.2	.1	1.6
Mario Elie†	30	0	20.8	.507	.375	.851	3.6	1.5	.6	.3	7.7
Steve Johnson	24	8	9.5	.540		.595	2.4	.7	.2	.2	3.8
Larry Robinson†	24	0	7.1	.407		.533	1.0	.5	.4	.0	2.3
Les Jepsen	21	0	5.0	.306	.000	.667	1.8	.0	.0	.1	1.3
Vincent Askew	7	0	12.1	.480		.818	1.6	1.9	.3	.0	4.7
Mike Smrek†	5	0	5.0	.545		.500	1.4	.2	.4	.0	2.8
Bart Kofoed	5	0	4.2	.000		.500	.6	.8	.0	.0	.6

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Tim Hardaway	9	9	44.0	.486	.354	.789	3.7	11.2	3.1	.8	25.2
Mitch Richmond	9	9	41.3	.503	.333	.958	5.2	2.4	.6	.7	22.3
Mario Elie	9	7	21.9	.500	1.000	.844	3.6	1.4	.6	.1	9.3
Jim Petersen	9	4	13.0	.706		.625	3.0	.3	.2	.4	3.2
Rod Higgins	9	3	23.8	.426	.308	.821	3.2	2.0	.2	.9	9.2
Šarūnas Marčiulionis	9	0	22.9	.500	.000	.897	2.6	3.0	1.2	.1	13.2
Tom Tolbert	9	0	12.9	.424	.333	.273	2.0	.9	.3	.4	3.6
Tyrone Hill	9	0	8.9	.643	.000	.667	2.6	.2	.3	.4	2.4
Chris Mullin	8	8	45.8	.527	.692	.860	7.3	2.9	1.9	1.5	23.8
Alton Lister	6	5	12.0	.480		.400	4.7	.3	.0	1.2	4.3
Vincent Askew	6	0	6.8	.400		.500	1.8	.3	.3	.0	2.5
Paul Mokeski	3	0	2.7	1.000			.7	.3	.3	.0	.7

• ^† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Warriors only.

Awards and records

• Chris Mullin, NBA All-Star Game
• Tim Hardaway, NBA All-Star Game
• Chris Mullin, All-NBA Second Team

Transactions

References

1. 1990-91 Golden State Warriors
2. Osborne, Ben (January 3, 2011). "Original Old School: Run & Shoot & Shoot…". SlamOnline.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013.
3. "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Run, Gun and Lose". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1990. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
4. "NBA ROUNDUP: Warriors Survive Nuggets' Pace, 162-158". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1990. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
5. "Warriors 162, Nuggets 158". United Press International. November 3, 1990. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
6. "Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Box Score, November 2, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
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8. "Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors Box Score, February 26, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
9. Hoffman, Benjamin (February 16, 2013). "Fascination Lingers for Three Stars of Warriors' Brief Run". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013.
10. "Golden State Warriors: The 12 Best Free-Agent Signings in Team History". Bleacher-Report. April 15, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
11. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
12. "1990–91 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
13. Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
14. "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
15. "1990–91 Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
16. "San Antonio 130, Golden State 121". United Press International. April 25, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
17. "Plenty in Reserve". Orlando Sentinel. April 29, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
18. "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, April 25, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
19. "BASKETBALL; 4 Guards and 4 Games Do It for Warriors". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1991. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
20. "Warriors Unlikely Winners: NBA Playoffs: Golden State Eliminates Spurs in Four Games to Gain Series Against the Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
21. Liotta, Tim (May 4, 1991). "Spurs Get Boot from Warriors". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
22. "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round: Warriors vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
23. Martinez, Michael (May 15, 1991). "BASKETBALL: THREE TEAMS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS; Lakers Prevail Over Warriors". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
24. Heisler, Mark (May 15, 1991). "Lakers Pull Through in Clinch: Game 5: Campbell Has a Big Fourth Quarter as L.A. Beats the Warriors in Overtime, 124-119, and Advances to the conference finals Against Portland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
25. "Worthy's Overtime Heroics Lift Lakers Over Warriors". The Washington Post. May 15, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
26. "1991 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Warriors vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
27. Barnes, Mike (June 12, 1991). "Bulls Beat Lakers for Title, 108-101". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
28. Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
29. Heisler, Mark (June 13, 1991). "NBA FINALS: LAKERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
30. Aldridge, David (June 13, 1991). "Jordan, Co. Complete NBA Title Run, 108-101". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
31. "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.

See also

• 1990-91 NBA season