The 1989–90 NBA season was the 44th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. With Larry Bird returning after playing just six games in the 1988–89 season, the Celtics struggled around .500 during the first month of the season, but would win 11 of their next 15 games, finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a solid 52–30 record. Bird led the way averaging 24.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, while being selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, and selected to the All-NBA Second Team. In the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics looked ready to make a serious run as they jumped out to a 2–0 series lead over the 5th-seeded New York Knicks. However, they would collapse as they lost three straight games, losing 3–2 to the Knicks. Following the season, Dennis Johnson retired and head coach Jim Rodgers was fired.