The 1989–90 NBA season was the Rockets' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 19th season in the city of Houston. After a 9–6 start to the season, the Rockets would struggle posting a 12–18 record as they entered the New Year. However, they would manage to win seven of their next nine games. At midseason, the Rockets acquired Vernon Maxwell from the San Antonio Spurs as they continued to play .500 basketball for the rest of the season. They finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record, winning a tie-breaker over the Seattle SuperSonics for the #8 seed in the Western Conference. Akeem Olajuwon led the Rockets with 24.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, while being selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game. However, in the first round of the playoffs, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in four games.