The 1989–90 NBA season was the 44th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. With Larry Bird returning after only playing just six games in the 1988–89 season due to heel injuries, and with last year's first round draft pick Brian Shaw leaving the team to play overseas in Italy, the Celtics struggled around .500 during the first month of the season, but would win 11 of their next 15 games, holding a 28–18 record at the All-Star break, finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a solid 52–30 record. The Celtics also qualified for the playoffs for the eleventh consecutive season.