The 1990 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989-90 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons deafeating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. Isiah Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the Blazers' first trip to the NBA Finals since their stunning victory in the 1977 NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks fell behind 2-0 to the Boston Celtics in their first round matchup, but took the series 3–2 by winning Game 5 124-117 in Boston Garden.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series for the first time ever, which was the first time since 1981 that the Lakers failed to reach the Western Conference Finals.
The Chicago Bulls lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals 93–74 in Detroit, making it the 3rd straight year they were ousted in the playoffs by the Pistons.
The Indiana Pacers made only their third playoff appearance since their NBA debut in the 1976-77 season; they proceeded to make the playoffs 16 out of the next 17 years (missing only in 1997).
The Dallas Mavericks made their only playoff appearance of the decade. They did not return until 2001.
Game 5 of the NBA Finals was the last NBA game to be televised on CBS.
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