1992–93 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated

1992–93   Phoenix Suns season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach Paul Westphal
General manager Jerry Colangelo
Owner Jerry Colangelo
Arena America West Arena
Results
Record6220 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish NBA Finals
(lost to Bulls 2–4)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
Radio KTAR
< 1991–92 1993–94 >
Phoenix Suns 25th anniversary logo PhxSuns25thAnniv.gif
Phoenix Suns 25th anniversary logo
A ticket for Game 4 of the 1993 Western Conference finals between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Suns at the Seattle Center Coliseum 1993 NBA Western Conference Finals - Game 4 - Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics 1993-05-30 (ticket).jpg
A ticket for Game 4 of the 1993 Western Conference finals between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Suns at the Seattle Center Coliseum

The 1992–93 Phoenix Suns season was the 25th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. [1] This season was most memorable for the Suns acquiring controversial All-Star power forward Charles Barkley from the Philadelphia 76ers, [2] [3] [4] signing free agent Danny Ainge, [5] [6] [7] and hiring Paul Westphal as their new head coach. [8] [9] [10] This was also the team's first season at their new arena, the America West Arena, which had a seating capacity of 19, 023.

Contents

The Suns had a successful regular season by posting a 14-game winning streak in December, [11] which led them to a 21–4 start to the season, held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break, [12] then posted an 11-game winning streak between March and April, finishing in first place in the Pacific Division with a league-best 62–20 record, and earning the first seed in the Western Conference. [13] The team set the franchise record for most wins in a season (the record was later tied in the 2004–05 season and later broken in the 2021-22 NBA season).

Barkley averaged 25.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year, [14] [15] [16] while Dan Majerle averaged 16.9 points and 1.7 steals per game, finished tied in first place in the league with 167 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, point guard Kevin Johnson provided the team with 16.1 points, 7.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game, but only played just 49 games due to groin, hamstring and knee injuries, [17] [18] [19] and rookie forward Richard Dumas contributed 15.8 points and 1.8 steals per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, despite only playing just 48 games due to injury; Dumas was drafted by the Suns in the 1991 NBA draft, but was suspended for all of the previous season for violating the NBA's substance abuse policy.

Meanwhile, Cedric Ceballos provided with 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and also led the league with .576 in field-goal percentage, while Tom Chambers played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 12.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and Ainge contributed 11.8 points per game and 150 three-point field goals, also off the bench. Negele Knight contributed 6.1 points per game, but only played 52 games due to injury, first-round draft pick Oliver Miller from the University of Arkansas provided with 5.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and led the team with 1.8 blocks per game off the bench, and starting center Mark West averaged 5.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. [20]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Barkley and Majerle were both selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team, while Westphal was selected to coach the Western Conference. [21] [22] [23] In addition, Majerle also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, [24] [25] while Ceballos participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second consecutive year; Ceballos won the Slam Dunk Contest the previous year. [24] [25] Majerle finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, [26] while Ceballos finished tied in eleventh place in Most Improved Player voting, [26] Ainge finished tied in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, behind Clifford Robinson of the Portland Trail Blazers, and with Chambers finishing in fifth place, [27] [26] and Westphal finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. [28] [26]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1993 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 8th–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, a team that featured All-Star forward James Worthy, Sedale Threatt and Byron Scott. The Suns struggled and faced elimination as they lost their first two home games to the Lakers at the America West Arena, [29] [30] [31] but managed to win the next two games on the road at the Great Western Forum. The Suns then defeated the Lakers in Game 5 at home in overtime, 112–104, thus winning in a hard-fought five-game series. [32] [33] [34]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 5th–seeded San Antonio Spurs, who were led by the trio of All-Star center David Robinson, All-Star forward Sean Elliott, and Dale Ellis. The Suns took a 2–0 series lead, but then lost the next two games to the Spurs on the road at the HemisFair Arena. After winning Game 5 at home, 109–97 at the America West Arena, the Suns defeated the Spurs in Game 6 at the HemisFair Arena, 102–100, as Barkley hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to win the series in six games. [35] [36] [37]

In the Western Conference Finals, the Suns then faced off against the 3rd–seeded Seattle SuperSonics, a team that featured All-Star forward Shawn Kemp, Ricky Pierce and Gary Payton. With the series tied at 3–3, the Suns defeated the SuperSonics in a hard-fought seven-game series, as Barkley scored 44 points along with 24 rebounds in Game 7, in which the Suns defeated the SuperSonics at home, 123–110 at the America West Arena; the Suns then reached the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. [38] [39] [40]

In the 1993 NBA Finals, the Suns faced off against the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Suns lost the first two games at home to the Bulls, but managed to defeat them in Game 3 on the road in triple-overtime, 129–121 at the Chicago Stadium. The Suns went on to lose the series to the Bulls in six games; in Game 6 at Phoenix, Bulls reverse guard John Paxson made a game-winning three-point shot as the Bulls defeated the Suns, 99–98 to win their third consecutive NBA championship. [41] [42] [43] Following the season, Chambers signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz after five seasons with the Suns. [44] [45] [46]

For the season, the Suns revealed a new primary logo, known as the "Streaking Sun" logo, and added a changed shade of purple to their color scheme of orange, [47] plus adding new uniforms, which featured the team's new logo on the front of their jerseys. [48] [49] The new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2000. The Suns finished fifth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 779,943 at the America West Arena during the regular season; [20] [50] the team also sold-out all 41 of their home games during the season.

This was the last time the Suns would reach the NBA Finals until the 2020–21 season.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
122 Oliver Miller CenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Arkansas
248 Brian Davis ForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Duke
249Ron EllisForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Louisiana Tech

The Suns used their first-round pick to select center Oliver Miller from Arkansas. Miller averaged 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game through four years with the Razorbacks. Miller would go on to play two seasons with the Suns before signing with the Detroit Pistons as a free agent in 1994. He would later return to the Suns in the 1999–2000 season. [51] Second-round picks Brian Davis and Ron Ellis were not signed by the Suns. Davis would later play with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1993–94 season, [52] while Ellis never played in the NBA.

Trades

America West Arena AmericaWestArenasouthsidedec2005.jpg
America West Arena

On June 17, 1992, the Suns traded former All-Star Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang to the Philadelphia 76ers for All-Star forward Charles Barkley. [53] Barkley would play four seasons with the Suns before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 1996. Hornacek would play less than two seasons with the Sixers, Perry would play less than four, and Lang only one. Many consider the trade to be the best in Suns history. [54]

Free agency

The Suns key off-season signing was veteran shooting guard Danny Ainge. Ainge would spend his last three seasons in the NBA with the Suns. [55] Point guard Frank Johnson was signed to back-up All-Star Kevin Johnson. [56] Forward/center Tim Kempton was signed, but played sparingly throughout the season. [57] Small forward Alex Stivrins was picked up in the off-season, but later waived. He would return with two 10-day contracts later in the season, but was again waived. [58]

Roster

1992–93 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.PlayerHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 22 Danny Ainge 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)175 lb (79 kg)1959–03–17 BYU
F 34 Charles Barkley 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)252 lb (114 kg)1963–02–20 Auburn
F 23 Cedric Ceballos 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton
F 24 Tom Chambers 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)220 lb (100 kg)1959–06–21 Utah
F 21 Richard Dumas 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)200 lb (91 kg)1969–05–19 Oklahoma State
G 3 Frank Johnson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)1958–11–23 Wake Forest
G 7 Kevin Johnson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)1966–03–04 California
F 8 Tim Kempton 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg)1964–01–25 Notre Dame
G 32 Negele Knight 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)1967–03–06 Dayton
G 9 Dan Majerle 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1965–09–09 Central Michigan
C 25 Oliver Miller 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)280 lb (127 kg)1970–04–06 Arkansas
F 0 Jerrod Mustaf 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)238 lb (108 kg)1969–10–28 Maryland
C 41 Mark West 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1960–11–05 Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured

Roster
Updated: April 11, 1993

Regular season

In 1992, the Suns moved into their new arena in downtown Phoenix, the America West Arena. The arena was not the only new arrival into Phoenix though, as flamboyant all-star power forward Charles Barkley was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang, and Tim Perry. Barkley would go on to win his first and only MVP in his first year with Phoenix in 1993.

In addition to Barkley, the Suns added some key players to their roster, amongst them Danny Ainge. Also making his Suns debut was their 1991 first round draft pick, Oklahoma State forward Richard Dumas, who missed the previous season due to a drug-related suspension.

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Phoenix Suns 6220.75635–627–1421–9
x- Seattle SuperSonics 5527.671733–822–1922–8
x- Portland Trail Blazers 5131.6221130–1121–2019–11
x- Los Angeles Clippers 4141.5002127–1414–2715–15
x- Los Angeles Lakers 3943.4762320–2119–2213–17
Golden State Warriors 3448.4152819–2215–269–21
Sacramento Kings 2557.3053716–259–326–24
#
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Phoenix Suns 6220.756
2y-Houston Rockets 5527.6717
3x-Seattle SuperSonics 5527.6717
4x-Portland Trail Blazers 5131.62211
5x-San Antonio Spurs 4933.59813
6x-Utah Jazz 4735.57315
7x-Los Angeles Clippers 4141.50021
8x-Los Angeles Lakers 3943.47623
9 Denver Nuggets 3646.43926
10 Golden State Warriors 3448.41528
11 Sacramento Kings 2557.30537
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 1963.23243
13 Dallas Mavericks 1171.13451

Game log

1992–93 game log
Total: 62–20 (home: 35–6; road: 27–14)
November: 7–4 (home: 5–1; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1November 7 L.A. Clippers W 111–105 Charles Barkley (37) Charles Barkley (21) Charles Barkley (8) America West Arena
19,023
1–0
2November 10@ Portland L 89–100 Charles Barkley (21) Charles Barkley (14) Negele Knight (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,888
1–1
3November 12, 1992
7:00 p.m. MST
@ Utah W 102–91 Barkley (25) Barkley (14) Barkley,
Majerle (5)
Delta Center
19,911
2–1
4November 14@ Minnesota W 108–101 Tom Chambers (28) Charles Barkley (13) Dan Majerle (6) Target Center
19,006
3–1
5November 16, 1992
7:30 p.m. MST
Seattle W 117–108 Barkley (28) Barkley (12) Knight (7) America West Arena
19,023
4–1
6November 18 Sacramento W 127–111 Cedric Ceballos (30) Cedric Ceballos (13) Oliver Miller,
Alex Stivrins (5)
America West Arena
19,023
5–1
7November 21@ L.A. Clippers L 107–111 Charles Barkley (44) Charles Barkley (17) Kevin Johnson (7) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
14,419
5–2
8November 22, 1992
7:00 p.m. MST
Chicago L 111–128 Barkley (22) Barkley (9) K. Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
5–3
9November 25 Portland W 121–117 Charles Barkley (33) Charles Barkley (18) Charles Barkley (6) America West Arena
19,023
6–3
10November 27 Golden State W 121–107 Charles Barkley (29) Charles Barkley (11) Frank Johnson (9) America West Arena
19,023
7–3
11November 28@ Golden State L 131–134 Charles Barkley (28) Charles Barkley (18) Dan Majerle (7) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
7–4
December: 14–0 (home: 7–0; road: 7–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
12December 1, 1992
7:30 p.m. MST
Charlotte W 109–90 Ceballos (20) Barkley (14) Barkley (7) America West Arena
19,023
8–4
13December 4, 1992
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers W 103–93 Barkley (19) Barkley (9) F. Johnson (5) America West Arena
19,023
9–4
14December 6@ Milwaukee W 122–112 Negele Knight (22) Charles Barkley (14) Negele Knight (7) Bradley Center
16,646
10–4
15December 8, 1992
5:30 p.m. MST
@ New Jersey W 105–100 Barkley (34) Barkley (12) Barkley (6) Brendan Byrne Arena
16,514
11–4
16December 9, 1992
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Charlotte W 110–101 Barkley (23) Barkley (12) Barkley (10) Charlotte Coliseum
23,698
12–4
17December 11@ Orlando W 108–107 Tom Chambers (27) Charles Barkley (11) Danny Ainge (9) Orlando Arena
15,151
13–4
18December 12@ Miami W 122–118 Charles Barkley (39) Charles Barkley (10) Danny Ainge,
Dan Majerle,
Oliver Miller (5)
Miami Arena
15,008
14–4
19December 15 Washington W 125–110 Charles Barkley (36) Charles Barkley (10) Dan Majerle (9) America West Arena
19,023
15–4
20December 18, 1992
8:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers W 116–100 Barkley (25) Barkley (23) Knight,
Majerle (7)
Great Western Forum
16,734
16–4
21December 22 Golden State W 106–104 Charles Barkley (35) Charles Barkley (16) Dan Majerle (5) America West Arena
19,023
17–4
22December 23@ Denver W 111–96 Dan Majerle (25) Cedric Ceballos (11) Dan Majerle (5) McNichols Sports Arena
n/a
18–4
23December 26, 1992
7:30 p.m. MST
Seattle W 113–110 Barkley (33) Barkley (13) Knight,
Majerle (5)
America West Arena
19,023
19–4
24December 27 Denver W 129–88 Richard Dumas (27) Cedric Ceballos (12) Kevin Johnson (12) America West Arena
19,023
20–4
25December 30, 1992
7:30 p.m. MST
Houston W 133–110 Barkley,
Ke=. Johnson,
Majerle (25)
Barkley (17) Barkley,
K. Johnson (10)
America West Arena
19,023
21–4
January: 10–4 (home: 3–0; road: 7–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
26January 3, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ San Antonio L 113–114 (OT) Barkley (31) Barkley (12) K. Johnson (8) HemisFair Arena
16,057
21–5
27January 5, 1993
6:30 p.m. MST
@ Houston W 106–104 Barkley (29) Barkley (8) Barkley (10) The Summit
13,755
22–5
28January 7@ Dallas W 111–107 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (14) Charles Barkley,
Dan Majerle (6)
Reunion Arena
13,750
23–5
29January 12, 1993
8:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle L 113–122 Barkley (27) Barkley (11) K. Johnson (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812
23–6
30January 14@ Sacramento W 114–104 Richard Dumas,
Dan Majerle (23)
Dan Majerle,
Oliver Miller (9)
Kevin Johnson (8) ARCO Arena
17,317
24–6
31January 15 Miami W 107–99 Charles Barkley (31) Charles Barkley (10) Kevin Johnson,
Dan Majerle (5)
America West Arena
19,023
25–6
32January 18, 1993
11:00 a.m. MST
@ New York L 103–106 Barkley (27) Barkley (15) K. Johnson (9) Madison Square Garden
19,763
25–7
33January 20, 1993
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Cleveland L 119–123 Dumas (23) West (12) Ceballos (5) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
25–8
34January 22@ Washington W 122–115 Richard Dumas (26) Charles Barkley (9) Charles Barkley (7) Capital Centre
18,756
26–8
35January 23@ Atlanta W 110–91 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (16) Kevin Johnson (7) Omni Coliseum
16,531
27–8
36January 25@ Detroit W 121–119 Charles Barkley,
Kevin Johnson (24)
Richard Dumas (11) Kevin Johnson (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
28–8
37January 27@ Minnesota W 117–116 (OT) Charles Barkley (35) Charles Barkley (24) Kevin Johnson (7) Target Center
18,503
29–8
38January 29, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
San Antonio W 125–110 Ainge (26) Barkley (11) K. Johnson (11) America West Arena
19,023
30–8
39January 30 Dallas W 126–105 Dan Majerle (30) Charles Barkley (14) Kevin Johnson (7) America West Arena
19,023
31–8
February: 9–4 (home: 7–1; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
40February 2@ L.A. Clippers L 108–112 Kevin Johnson (23) Mark West (12) Charles Barkley,
Kevin Johnson (6)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,989
31–9
41February 3 Minnesota W 122–102 Danny Ainge (19) Charles Barkley (14) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
32–9
42February 5, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers W 132–104 Majerle (29) Dumas (9) Barkley,
K. Johnson (6)
America West Arena
19,023
33–9
43February 7 Orlando W 121–105 Richard Dumas (31) Charles Barkley (19) Danny Ainge,
Kevin Johnson (9)
America West Arena
19,023
34–9
44February 10 L.A. Clippers W 122–100 Charles Barkley (22) Charles Barkley (13) Charles Barkley (8) America West Arena
19,023
35–9
45February 11@ Golden State W 122–100 Danny Ainge (33) Charles Barkley (19) Kevin Johnson (12) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
36–9
46February 13, 1993
8:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle L 94–95 Barkley (33) Barkley (8) Barkley (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812
36–10
47February 16 Boston W 110–97 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley,
Tom Chambers (12)
Charles Barkley (9) America West Arena
19,023
37–10
48February 18 Atlanta W 131–119 Richard Dumas (32) Charles Barkley (16) Charles Barkley (12) America West Arena
19,023
38–10
All-Star Break
49February 23, 1993
6:30 p.m. MST
@ San Antonio W 105–103 Barkley (29) Barkley (12) Ainge (7) HemisFair Arena
16,057
39–10
50February 25, 1993
6:30 p.m. MST
@ Houston L 104–131 Dumas (21) Barkley,
Dumas (8)
Ainge,
Barkley,
Knight (4)
The Summit
16,611
39–11
51February 26, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
Utah W 113–106 Barkley (29) Barkley (11) Barkley (11) America West Arena
19,023
40–11
52February 28, 1993
1:30 p.m. MST
Cleveland L 94–101 Barkley (27) Barkley (19) Barkley (11) America West Arena
19,023
40–12
March: 13–3 (home: 8–2; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
53March 2@ Portland L 97–102 Charles Barkley,
Dan Majerle (20)
Charles Barkley (12) Dan Majerle (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,888
40–13
54March 3 Philadelphia W 125–115 Charles Barkley (36) Charles Barkley (17) Charles Barkley (9) America West Arena
19,023
41–13
55March 5 Sacramento W 130–122 Charles Barkley (32) Mark West (12) Kevin Johnson (6) America West Arena
19,023
42–13
56March 6@ Dallas W 109–102 Kevin Johnson (28) Charles Barkley (15) Kevin Johnson (7) Reunion Arena
17,502
43–13
57March 9@ Sacramento W 128–108 Cedric Ceballos (40) Cedric Ceballos (12) Kevin Johnson (12) ARCO Arena
17,317
44–13
58March 10 Golden State W 111–100 Charles Barkley (30) Mark West (13) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
45–13
59March 12 Dallas W 116–98 Cedric Ceballos (24) Charles Barkley,
Cedric Ceballos (9)
Kevin Johnson (9) America West Arena
19,023
46–13
60March 13, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
New Jersey L 93–124 K. Johnson (23) Ceballos,
Chambers,
Mustaf (7)
K. Johnson (6) America West Arena
19,023
46–14
61March 17 Portland W 129–111 Cedric Ceballos,
Tom Chambers (24)
Cedric Ceballos (14) Kevin Johnson (14) America West Arena
19,023
47–14
62March 19 Detroit W 127–97 Danny Ainge (23) Charles Barkley (16) Dan Majerle (9) America West Arena
19,023
48–14
63March 21 Indiana L 108–109 Charles Barkley (38) Charles Barkley,
Mark West (9)
Kevin Johnson (11) America West Arena
19,023
48–15
64March 23, 1993
6:30 p.m. MST
New York W 121–92 Barkley (31) Ceballos (12) F. Johnson (7) America West Arena
19,023
49–15
65March 24, 1993
8:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers W 120–105 Barkley (33) Barkley (12) Barkley (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
50–15
66March 26 Milwaukee W 109–103 Charles Barkley (31) Charles Barkley (15) Frank Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
51–15
67March 28@ Philadelphia W 110–100 Charles Barkley (35) Cedric Ceballos (15) Kevin Johnson (8) The Spectrum
18,168
52–15
68March 30, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Chicago W 113–109 Ceballos (27) West (10) K. Johnson (16) Chicago Stadium
18,676
53–15
April: 9–5 (home: 5–2; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
69April 2@ Boston W 118–114 Charles Barkley (37) Charles Barkley (11) Kevin Johnson (9) Boston Garden
14,890
54–15
70April 4@ Indiana W 110–100 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (13) Kevin Johnson (8) Market Square Arena
16,530
55–15
71April 6, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers W 115–114 K. Johnson (32) Barkley (11) Majerle (8) America West Arena
19,023
56–15
72April 8@ Sacramento W 123–114 Cedric Ceballos (28) Mark West (13) Kevin Johnson (7) ARCO Arena 57–15
73April 9 Denver W 98–97 Charles Barkley (26) Charles Barkley (19) Charles Barkley (12) America West Arena
19,023
58–15
74April 11, 1993
12:30 p.m. MST
Utah W 112–99 K. Johnson (29) Barkley (7) K. Johnson (9) America West Arena
19,023
59–15
75April 12@ L.A. Clippers L 104–111 Richard Dumas (28) Richard Dumas (12) Danny Ainge,
Dan Majerle (6)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
15,989
59–16
76April 14 Minnesota W 98–84 Dan Majerle (25) Cedric Ceballos (13) Kevin Johnson (10) America West Arena
19,023
60–16
77April 16, 1993
6:30 p.m. MST
Seattle L 102–108 Ceballos (21) Chambers,
Mustaf (7)
K. Johnson,
Majerle (7)
America West Arena
19,023
60–17
78April 17, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Utah L 101–110 Ceballos (25) Ceballos (10) Knight (6) Delta Center
19,911
60–18
79April 19, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
Houston L 97–111 K. Johnson (18) Mustaf (8) K. Johnson (7) America West Arena
19,023
60–19
80April 22@ Portland W 115–114 Charles Barkley (25) Cedric Ceballos (9) Kevin Johnson (14) Memorial Coliseum
12,888
61–19
81April 24, 1993
12:30 p.m. MST
San Antonio W 99–97 Dumas (23) Ceballos (11) Ainge,
F. Johnson,
Knight (6)
America West Arena
19,023
62–19
82April 25@ Denver L 118–120 Richard Dumas (25) Charles Barkley (10) Danny Ainge (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
62–20
1992–93 schedule

Playoffs

Under rookie head coach Paul Westphal (a former Suns assistant and, as a player, member of the 1976 Suns squad that went to the NBA Finals), the Suns squad consisting mostly of Barkley, Majerle, Johnson and Ainge won 62 games that year. After eliminating the Lakers (against whom they came back from an 0–2 deficit preventing them from being the first eight-seeded team to eliminate the top seeded team in the first round), Spurs, and Sonics, the Suns advanced to the Finals for the second time in franchise history. They eventually lost to the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. This series included a triple-overtime game (Game 3) that along with game 5 of the 1976 series are the only triple overtime games in the history of the NBA finals. [59] [60] Approximately 300,000 fans braved the 105 degree heat to celebrate the memorable season in the streets of Phoenix. [61]

Game log

1993 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 1–2; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 30, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers L 103–107 Barkley (34) Barkley (15) Knight,
Majerle (5)
America West Arena
19,023
0–1
2May 2, 1993
12 Noon MST
L.A. Lakers L 81–86 Barkley,
Chambers,
Dumas (18)
Barkley (21) K. Johnson (16) America West Arena
19,023
0–2
3May 4, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers W 107–102 Barkley (27) Barkley (11) Barkley,
K. Johnson,
Majerle (5)
Great Western Forum
17,505
1–2
4May 6, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers W 101–86 Barkley (28) Barkley (11) K. Johnson (6) Great Western Forum
17,505
2–2
5May 9, 1993
2:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers W 112–104 (OT) Barkley (31) Barkley,
Miller (14)
K. Johnson (13) America West Arena
19,023
3–2
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 11, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
San Antonio W 98–89 K. Johnson (25) Barkley (10) K. Johnson (7) America West Arena
19,023
1–0
2May 13, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
San Antonio W 109–103 Barkley (35) Barkley (10) K. Johnson (12) America West Arena
19,023
2–0
3May 15, 1993
10:00 a.m. MST
@ San Antonio L 96–111 K. Johnson (26) Barkley (14) K. Johnson (7) HemisFair Arena
16,057
2–1
4May 16, 1993
12:30 p.m. MST
@ San Antonio L 103–117 K. Johnson (26) Barkley (12) K. Johnson (8) HemisFair Arena
16,057
2–2
5May 18, 1993
7:30 p.m. MST
San Antonio W 109–97 Barkley (36) Barkley (12) K. Johnson (12) America West Arena
19,023
3–2
6May 20, 1993
4:00 p.m. MST
@ San Antonio W 102–100 Barkley (28) Barkley (21) K. Johnson (8) HemisFair Arena
16,057
4–2
Western Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 24, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
Seattle W 105–91 Ceballos (21) Barkley (14) Majerle (9) America West Arena
19,023
1–0
2May 26, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
Seattle L 99–103 Majerle (29) Barkley,
Majerle (10)
Barkley (6) America West Arena
19,023
1–1
3May 28, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle W 104–97 K. Johnson (20) Barkley (16) K. Johnson (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812
2–1
4May 30, 1993
12:30 p.m. MST
@ Seattle L 101–120 Barkley (27) Barkley (7) K. Johnson (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812
2–2
5June 1, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
Seattle W 120–114 Barkley (43) Barkley (15) Barkley,
K. Johnson (10)
America West Arena
19,023
3–2
6June 3, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle L 102–118 K. Johnson (22) Barkley (11) K. Johnson (4) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812
3–3
7June 5, 1993
12:30 p.m. MST
Seattle W 123–110 Barkley (44) Barkley (24) K. Johnson (9) America West Arena
19,023
4–3
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 0–3; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1June 9, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
Chicago L 92–100 Barkley (21) Dumas (12) Barkley (5) America West Arena
19,023
0–1
2June 11, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
Chicago L 108–111 Barkley (42) Barkley (13) K. Johnson (6) America West Arena
19,023
0–2
3June 13, 1993
4:00 p.m. MST
@ Chicago W 129–121 (3OT) Majerle (28) Barkley (19) K. Johnson (9) Chicago Stadium
18,676
1–2
4June 16, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Chicago L 105–111 Barkley (32) Barkley (12) Barkley (10) Chicago Stadium
18,676
1–3
5June 18, 1993
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Chicago W 108–98 Dumas,
K. Johnson (25)
Majerle (12) K. Johnson (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676
2–3
6June 20, 1993
4:00 p.m. MST
Chicago L 98–99 Barkley,
Majerle (21)
Barkley (17) K. Johnson (10) America West Arena
19,023
2–4
1993 schedule

NBA Finals

The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1992–93 NBA season, featuring the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, and the Phoenix Suns, winners of 62 games and led by regular season MVP Charles Barkley. The Bulls became the first team since the legendary Boston Celtics of the 1960s to win three consecutive championship titles, clinching the "three-peat" with John Paxson's game-winning 3-pointer that gave them a 99–98 victory in Game 6.

Awards and honors

Week/Month

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG  Points per game

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Danny Ainge 80027.0.462.403.8482.73.30.90.111.8
Charles Barkley 767637.6.520.305.76512.25.11.61.025.6
Cedric Ceballos 744621.7.576.000.7255.51.00.70.412.8
Tom Chambers 73023.6.447.393.8374.71.40.60.312.2
Richard Dumas 483227.5.524.333.7074.61.31.80.815.8
Frank Johnson 77014.6.436.083.7761.52.40.80.14.3
Kevin Johnson 494733.5.499.125.8192.17.81.70.416.1
Tim Kempton 3005.6.396..5811.30.60.10.11.9
Negele Knight 523517.1.391.000.7791.22.80.40.16.1
Dan Majerle 828239.0.464.381.7784.73.81.70.416.9
Oliver Miller 56119.1.475.000.7104.92.10.71.85.6
Jerrod Mustaf 32910.5.438.000.6232.60.30.50.34.6
Kurt Rambis *508.2.571..5001.20.20.60.01.8
Alex Stivrins *1003.5.611.000.0.80.10.10.12.2
Mark West 828219.0.614..5185.60.40.21.35.3

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Danny Ainge 24024.6.376.413.8722.52.30.50.18.1
Charles Barkley 242442.8.477.222.77113.64.31.61.026.6
Cedric Ceballos 16311.6.571..7272.30.80.30.46.0
Tom Chambers 24115.7.388.400.8152.70.50.20.47.3
Richard Dumas 232021.7.525.000.7552.81.00.90.610.9
Frank Johnson 2207.8.440.333.8620.50.80.30.03.2
Kevin Johnson 232339.7.480.000.7952.77.91.50.617.8
Negele Knight 913.8.563..0.30.80.00.12.0
Dan Majerle 242444.6.431.394.6965.83.71.41.215.4
Oliver Miller 24021.4.587.000.5645.22.10.92.57.2
Jerrod Mustaf 701.4.600..0.30.00.00.10.9
Mark West 242419.5.544..6094.10.50.21.44.8

† – Minimum 20 field goals made. Player statistics citation: [20]

Transactions

Trades

June 17, 1992To Philadelphia 76ers

Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Hornacek
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Perry
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Lang

To Phoenix Suns

Flag of the United States.svg Charles Barkley

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerSignedFormer Team
July 3, 1992 Danny Ainge Signed 3-year contract for $5.2 million Portland Trail Blazers
August 18, 1992 Tim Kempton Signed multi-year contract Denver Nuggets
September 29, 1992 Alex Stivrins Undisclosed Seattle SuperSonics
October 8, 1992 Frank Johnson Undisclosed Orlando Magic
November 5, 1992 Frank Johnson Signed one-year contract for $140,000 Phoenix Suns
March 31, 1993 Alex Stivrins Signed two 10-day contracts Milwaukee Bucks

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason leftNew team
June 17, 1992 Steve Burtt Waived Washington Bullets
September 24, 1992 Chad Gallagher Released Utah Jazz
October 22, 1992 Brad Davis Waived Minnesota Timberwolves
November 3, 1992 Frank Johnson Waived Phoenix Suns
November 5, 1992 Ed Nealy Waived Golden State Warriors
November 20, 1992 Kurt Rambis Waived Sacramento Kings
December 28, 1992 Alex Stivrins Waived Atlanta Hawks
April 11, 1993 Alex Stivrins Waived Omaha Racers

Player Transactions Citation: [62]

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