[1] The Pacers had the seventh overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected George McCloud out of Florida State University.
[2][3][4][5] The Pacers would jump out of the gate fast winning their first four games, on their way to a solid 19–9 start.
[6] The Pacers played around .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing fourth in the Central Division with a 42–40 record,[7] and entering the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
[14][15][16][17] However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pacers were swept by the defending and eventual champion Detroit Pistons in three straight games.
[18][19][20][21] The Pistons would go on to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive championship.