1992–93 Phoenix Suns season

The 1992–93 NBA season was the 25th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.^[1] This season is 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]

1992–93 Phoenix Suns season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach	Paul Westphal
General manager	Jerry Colangelo
Owner(s)	Jerry Colangelo
Arena	America West Arena
Results
Record	62–20 (.756)
Place	Division: 1st (Pacific) Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish	NBA Finals (lost to Bulls 2–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	KUTP ASPN
Radio	KTAR
< 1991–92 1993–94 >

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

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]

Barkley and Majerle were both selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Westphal coaching the Western Conference.^[21][22][23] Majerle finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,^[24] while Ceballos finished tied in eleventh place in Most Improved Player voting,^[24] Ainge finished tied in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, with Chambers finishing in fifth place,^[25][24] and Westphal finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.^[26][24]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1993 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced elimination as they trailed 2–0 against the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers;^[27][28][29] however, they won the next three games, including a 112–104 overtime home win in Game 5 to advance in the Western Conference Semi-finals,^[30][31][32] where they defeated the 5th-seeded San Antonio Spurs in six games.^[33][34][35] In the Western Conference Finals, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in a full seven-game series, and reached the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.^[36][37][38] In the 1993 NBA Finals, the Suns lost to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in six games.^[39][40][41] Following the season, Chambers signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz.^[42][43][44]

This season saw the debut of the new "Streaking Sun" logo alongside a changed shade of purple,^[45] which was featured on the front of the team's new jerseys.^[46][47] The new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2000. The season was also the Suns first at the new America West Arena (currently known as "Footprint Center"). The new arena had a regular season attendance of 779,943 in 41 home games, the fifth highest total attendance in the league.^[20] The team sold-out the capacity 19,023 arena every game of the season.

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

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 1992 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	22	Oliver Miller	Center	United States	Arkansas
2	48	Brian Davis	Forward	United States	Duke
2	49	Ron Ellis	Forward	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.^[48] 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,^[49] while Ellis never played in the NBA.

Trades

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.^[50] 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.^[51]

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.^[52] Point guard Frank Johnson was signed to back-up All-Star Kevin Johnson.^[53] Forward/center Tim Kempton was signed, but played sparingly throughout the season.^[54] 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.^[55]

Roster

1992–93 Phoenix Suns roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From 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 Paul Westphal Assistant(s) Lionel Hollins Scotty Robertson Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Updated: April 11, 1993

Regular season

In 1992, the Suns moved into their new arena in downtown Phoenix, the America West Arena (now Footprint Center). 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

Pacific Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Phoenix Suns	62	20	.756	—	35–6	27–14	21–9
x-Seattle SuperSonics	55	27	.671	7	33–8	22–19	22–8
x-Portland Trail Blazers	51	31	.622	11	30–11	21–20	19–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers	41	41	.500	21	27–14	14–27	15–15
x-Los Angeles Lakers	39	43	.476	23	20–21	19–22	13–17
Golden State Warriors	34	48	.415	28	19–22	15–26	9–21
Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	37	16–25	9–32	6–24

#	Western Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Phoenix Suns	62	20	.756	–
2	y-Houston Rockets	55	27	.671	7
3	x-Seattle SuperSonics	55	27	.671	7
4	x-Portland Trail Blazers	51	31	.622	11
5	x-San Antonio Spurs	49	33	.598	13
6	x-Utah Jazz	47	35	.573	15
7	x-Los Angeles Clippers	41	41	.500	21
8	x-Los Angeles Lakers	39	43	.476	23
9	Denver Nuggets	36	46	.439	26
10	Golden State Warriors	34	48	.415	28
11	Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	37
12	Minnesota Timberwolves	19	63	.232	43
13	Dallas Mavericks	11	71	.134	51

Record vs. opponents

1992–93 NBA records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	—	2–2	3–2	2–2	0–5	1–1	2–0	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–3	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2
Boston	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–4	3–2	4–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	4–1
Charlotte	2–3	1–3	—	2–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	0–5	1–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0
Chicago	2–2	3–1	3–2	—	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	5–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	4–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	4–0
Cleveland	5–0	1–3	3–1	3–2	—	2–0	1–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	4–0	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Dallas	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—	1–5	1–1	0–4	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–4	0–4	0–5	1–3	0–5	1–1
Denver	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	5–1	—	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	1–4	1–3	2–3	2–0
Detroit	3–2	3–1	1–4	1–3	2–3	1–1	1–1	—	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0
Golden State	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	—	2–2	0–2	2–3	1–4	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–4	0–5	4–1	3–1	1–4	3–1	1–1
Houston	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–1	3–2	1–1	2–2	—	2–0	4–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	4–0	4–1	1–3	4–1	1–1
Indiana	2–2	2–2	5–0	0–5	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–3	2–0	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	0–2	3–1
L.A. Clippers	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	3–2	0–4	1–1	—	3–2	0–2	2–0	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–2	2–3	3–2	0–4	1–4	2–2	2–0
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	4–1	1–3	1–1	2–3	—	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–5	3–2	3–2	2–2	1–4	1–3	2–0
Miami	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–2	2–0	2–3	0–5	3–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–3
Milwaukee	2–3	2–2	1–3	1–4	1–4	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3
Minnesota	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	2–3	1–1	1–3	2–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	—	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–3	1–4	0–4	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	3–1	0–4	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	2–0	3–2	4–0	1–1	—	1–3	3–2	3–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–1
New York	2–2	4–1	3–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	—	2–2	5–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	4–1
Orlando	3–1	2–3	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	2–2	2–0	2–3	2–2	—	3–2	0–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0
Philadelphia	1–3	1–4	0–4	2–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–3	0–5	2–3	—	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Phoenix	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	4–0	3–1	2–0	4–1	2–2	1–1	2–3	5–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	—	3–2	5–0	3–1	2–3	3–1	2–0
Portland	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	5–0	3–1	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	—	5–0	2–2	2–3	2–2	1–1
Sacramento	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	1–3	0–2	1–4	0–4	0–2	2–3	2–3	1–1	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–5	0–5	—	2–2	1–4	2–2	1–1
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–0	4–1	2–0	1–3	1–4	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	4–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–2	—	3–1	3–3	1–1
Seattle	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	4–1	3–1	0–2	4–1	4–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–2	3–2	4–1	1–3	—	2–2	2–0
Utah	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	5–0	3–2	2–0	1–3	1–4	2–0	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–2	3–3	2–2	—	1–1
Washington	2–2	1–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	3–2	3–1	1–1	1–4	1–4	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

1992–93 game log Total: 62–20 (home: 35–6; road: 27–14)
November: 7–4 (home: 5–1; road: 2–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 7 L.A. Clippers W 111–105 Charles Barkley (37) Charles Barkley (21) Charles Barkley (8) America West Arena 19,023 1–0 2 November 10 @ Portland L 89–100 Charles Barkley (21) Charles Barkley (14) Negele Knight (9) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 1–1 3 November 12, 1992 7:00 p.m. MST @ Utah W 102–91 Barkley (25) Barkley (14) Barkley, Majerle (5) Delta Center 19,911 2–1 4 November 14 @ Minnesota W 108–101 Tom Chambers (28) Charles Barkley (13) Dan Majerle (6) Target Center 19,006 3–1 5 November 16, 1992 7:30 p.m. MST Seattle W 117–108 Barkley (28) Barkley (12) Knight (7) America West Arena 19,023 4–1 6 November 18 Sacramento W 127–111 Cedric Ceballos (30) Cedric Ceballos (13) Oliver Miller, Alex Stivrins (5) America West Arena 19,023 5–1 7 November 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 8 November 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 9 November 25 Portland W 121–117 Charles Barkley (33) Charles Barkley (18) Charles Barkley (6) America West Arena 19,023 6–3 10 November 27 Golden State W 121–107 Charles Barkley (29) Charles Barkley (11) Frank Johnson (9) America West Arena 19,023 7–3 11 November 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 12 December 1, 1992 7:30 p.m. MST Charlotte W 109–90 Ceballos (20) Barkley (14) Barkley (7) America West Arena 19,023 8–4 13 December 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 14 December 6 @ Milwaukee W 122–112 Negele Knight (22) Charles Barkley (14) Negele Knight (7) Bradley Center 16,646 10–4 15 December 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 16 December 9, 1992 5:30 p.m. MST @ Charlotte W 110–101 Barkley (23) Barkley (12) Barkley (10) Charlotte Coliseum 23,698 12–4 17 December 11 @ Orlando W 108–107 Tom Chambers (27) Charles Barkley (11) Danny Ainge (9) Orlando Arena 15,151 13–4 18 December 12 @ Miami W 122–118 Charles Barkley (39) Charles Barkley (10) Danny Ainge, Dan Majerle, Oliver Miller (5) Miami Arena 15,008 14–4 19 December 15 Washington W 125–110 Charles Barkley (36) Charles Barkley (10) Dan Majerle (9) America West Arena 19,023 15–4 20 December 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 21 December 22 Golden State W 106–104 Charles Barkley (35) Charles Barkley (16) Dan Majerle (5) America West Arena 19,023 17–4 22 December 23 @ Denver W 111–96 Dan Majerle (25) Cedric Ceballos (11) Dan Majerle (5) McNichols Sports Arena n/a 18–4 23 December 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 24 December 27 Denver W 129–88 Richard Dumas (27) Cedric Ceballos (12) Kevin Johnson (12) America West Arena 19,023 20–4 25 December 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 26 January 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 27 January 5, 1993 6:30 p.m. MST @ Houston W 106–104 Barkley (29) Barkley (8) Barkley (10) The Summit 13,755 22–5 28 January 7 @ Dallas W 111–107 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (14) Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle (6) Reunion Arena 13,750 23–5 29 January 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 30 January 14 @ Sacramento W 114–104 Richard Dumas, Dan Majerle (23) Dan Majerle, Oliver Miller (9) Kevin Johnson (8) ARCO Arena 17,317 24–6 31 January 15 Miami W 107–99 Charles Barkley (31) Charles Barkley (10) Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle (5) America West Arena 19,023 25–6 32 January 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 33 January 20, 1993 5:30 p.m. MST @ Cleveland L 119–123 Dumas (23) West (12) Ceballos (5) Richfield Coliseum 20,273 25–8 34 January 22 @ Washington W 122–115 Richard Dumas (26) Charles Barkley (9) Charles Barkley (7) Capital Centre 18,756 26–8 35 January 23 @ Atlanta W 110–91 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (16) Kevin Johnson (7) Omni Coliseum 16,531 27–8 36 January 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 37 January 27 @ Minnesota W 117–116 (OT) Charles Barkley (35) Charles Barkley (24) Kevin Johnson (7) Target Center 18,503 29–8 38 January 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 39 January 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 40 February 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 41 February 3 Minnesota W 122–102 Danny Ainge (19) Charles Barkley (14) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena 19,023 32–9 42 February 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 43 February 7 Orlando W 121–105 Richard Dumas (31) Charles Barkley (19) Danny Ainge, Kevin Johnson (9) America West Arena 19,023 34–9 44 February 10 L.A. Clippers W 122–100 Charles Barkley (22) Charles Barkley (13) Charles Barkley (8) America West Arena 19,023 35–9 45 February 11 @ Golden State W 122–100 Danny Ainge (33) Charles Barkley (19) Kevin Johnson (12) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 36–9 46 February 13, 1993 8:00 p.m. MST @ Seattle L 94–95 Barkley (33) Barkley (8) Barkley (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,812 36–10 47 February 16 Boston W 110–97 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley, Tom Chambers (12) Charles Barkley (9) America West Arena 19,023 37–10 48 February 18 Atlanta W 131–119 Richard Dumas (32) Charles Barkley (16) Charles Barkley (12) America West Arena 19,023 38–10 All-Star Break 49 February 23, 1993 6:30 p.m. MST @ San Antonio W 105–103 Barkley (29) Barkley (12) Ainge (7) HemisFair Arena 16,057 39–10 50 February 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 51 February 26, 1993 7:30 p.m. MST Utah W 113–106 Barkley (29) Barkley (11) Barkley (11) America West Arena 19,023 40–11 52 February 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 53 March 2 @ Portland L 97–102 Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle (20) Charles Barkley (12) Dan Majerle (7) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 40–13 54 March 3 Philadelphia W 125–115 Charles Barkley (36) Charles Barkley (17) Charles Barkley (9) America West Arena 19,023 41–13 55 March 5 Sacramento W 130–122 Charles Barkley (32) Mark West (12) Kevin Johnson (6) America West Arena 19,023 42–13 56 March 6 @ Dallas W 109–102 Kevin Johnson (28) Charles Barkley (15) Kevin Johnson (7) Reunion Arena 17,502 43–13 57 March 9 @ Sacramento W 128–108 Cedric Ceballos (40) Cedric Ceballos (12) Kevin Johnson (12) ARCO Arena 17,317 44–13 58 March 10 Golden State W 111–100 Charles Barkley (30) Mark West (13) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena 19,023 45–13 59 March 12 Dallas W 116–98 Cedric Ceballos (24) Charles Barkley, Cedric Ceballos (9) Kevin Johnson (9) America West Arena 19,023 46–13 60 March 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 61 March 17 Portland W 129–111 Cedric Ceballos, Tom Chambers (24) Cedric Ceballos (14) Kevin Johnson (14) America West Arena 19,023 47–14 62 March 19 Detroit W 127–97 Danny Ainge (23) Charles Barkley (16) Dan Majerle (9) America West Arena 19,023 48–14 63 March 21 Indiana L 108–109 Charles Barkley (38) Charles Barkley, Mark West (9) Kevin Johnson (11) America West Arena 19,023 48–15 64 March 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 65 March 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 66 March 26 Milwaukee W 109–103 Charles Barkley (31) Charles Barkley (15) Frank Johnson (8) America West Arena 19,023 51–15 67 March 28 @ Philadelphia W 110–100 Charles Barkley (35) Cedric Ceballos (15) Kevin Johnson (8) The Spectrum 18,168 52–15 68 March 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 69 April 2 @ Boston W 118–114 Charles Barkley (37) Charles Barkley (11) Kevin Johnson (9) Boston Garden 14,890 54–15 70 April 4 @ Indiana W 110–100 Charles Barkley (32) Charles Barkley (13) Kevin Johnson (8) Market Square Arena 16,530 55–15 71 April 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 72 April 8 @ Sacramento W 123–114 Cedric Ceballos (28) Mark West (13) Kevin Johnson (7) ARCO Arena 57–15 73 April 9 Denver W 98–97 Charles Barkley (26) Charles Barkley (19) Charles Barkley (12) America West Arena 19,023 58–15 74 April 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 75 April 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 76 April 14 Minnesota W 98–84 Dan Majerle (25) Cedric Ceballos (13) Kevin Johnson (10) America West Arena 19,023 60–16 77 April 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 78 April 17, 1993 6:00 p.m. MST @ Utah L 101–110 Ceballos (25) Ceballos (10) Knight (6) Delta Center 19,911 60–18 79 April 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 80 April 22 @ Portland W 115–114 Charles Barkley (25) Cedric Ceballos (9) Kevin Johnson (14) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 61–19 81 April 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 82 April 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.^[56][57] Approximately 300,000 fans braved the 105 degree heat to celebrate the memorable season in the streets of Phoenix.^[58]

Game log

1993 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 1–2; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 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 2 May 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 3 May 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 4 May 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 5 May 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 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 2 May 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 3 May 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 4 May 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 5 May 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 6 May 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 24, 1993 6:00 p.m. MST Seattle W 105–91 Ceballos (21) Barkley (14) Majerle (9) America West Arena 19,023 1–0 2 May 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 3 May 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 4 May 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 5 June 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 6 June 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 7 June 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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 June 9, 1993 6:00 p.m. MST Chicago L 92–100 Barkley (21) Dumas (12) Barkley (5) America West Arena 19,023 0–1 2 June 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 3 June 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 4 June 16, 1993 6:00 p.m. MST @ Chicago L 105–111 Barkley (32) Barkley (12) Barkley (10) Chicago Stadium 18,676 1–3 5 June 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 6 June 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.

• The Phoenix Suns won game 3 in 3OT, 129–121. Suns Head Coach Paul Westphal became the only person to appear in both triple-overtime finals games. The first was Game 5 of the 1976 contest against Boston, as a player for the Suns, which thus were the only team to appear in two triple-overtime finals games. In 1976, the Suns lost 126–128 against Boston.
• The Bulls got off to a good start in Game 6 but struggled in the fourth quarter, wasting a double-digit lead to trail 98–94. Michael Jordan made a layup to cut the margin to 2 points, and the Suns missed a shot on their next possession. Trailing 98–96 and facing a Game 7 on the road if they lost that day, John Paxson took a pass from Horace Grant and buried a three pointer with 3.9 seconds left, giving the Bulls a 99–98 lead. The victory was secured by a last-second block from Horace Grant.
• Michael Jordan, who averaged a Finals-record 41.0 PPG during the six-game series, became the first player in NBA history to win three straight Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Awards. He joined Magic Johnson as the only other player to win the award three times. The NBA started awarding the Finals MVP in 1969.

Awards and honors

Week/Month

• Charles Barkley was named Player of the Week for games played December 7 through December 13.
• Charles Barkley was named Player of the Week for games played March 29 through April 4.
• Charles Barkley was named Player of the Month for December.
• Paul Westphal was named Coach of the Month for December.

All-Star

• Charles Barkley was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his seventh All-Star selection. Barkley finished third in All-Star voting with 858,947 votes, behind only Michael Jordan (1,035,824) and Scottie Pippen (932,912).
• Dan Majerle was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second All-Star selection.
• The other Suns player who received All-Star votes was Kevin Johnson (188,545).
• Paul Westphal coached the Western Conference All-Star team to a 135–130 victory over the East.
• Cedric Ceballos participated in the Slam Dunk Contest. After winning the 1992 contest, Ceballos made the final round, finishing third behind Clarence Weatherspoon and champion Harold Miner.
• Dan Majerle participated in the Three-Point Shootout, losing to champion Mark Price.

Season

• Charles Barkley received the Most Valuable Player Award.
• Jerry Colangelo received the Executive of the Year Award.
• Charles Barkley was named to the All-NBA First Team.
• Dan Majerle was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Majerle also finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.^[24]
• Richard Dumas was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
• Cedric Ceballos led the league in field goal percentage, making 57.6 percent of his shots.
• Dan Majerle led the league (tied with Reggie Miller) in three-point field goals with 167.
• Danny Ainge finished tied in second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.^[24]
• Tom Chambers finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting.^[24]

Player statistics

Legend

GP	Games 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

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Danny Ainge	80	0	27.0	.462	.403	.848	2.7	3.3	0.9	0.1	11.8
Charles Barkley	76	76	37.6	.520	.305	.765	12.2	5.1	1.6	1.0	25.6
Cedric Ceballos	74	46	21.7	.576†	.000	.725	5.5	1.0	0.7	0.4	12.8
Tom Chambers	73	0	23.6	.447	.393	.837	4.7	1.4	0.6	0.3	12.2
Richard Dumas	48	32	27.5	.524	.333	.707	4.6	1.3	1.8	0.8	15.8
Frank Johnson	77	0	14.6	.436	.083	.776	1.5	2.4	0.8	0.1	4.3
Kevin Johnson	49	47	33.5	.499	.125	.819	2.1	7.8	1.7	0.4	16.1
Tim Kempton	30	0	5.6	.396	.	.581	1.3	0.6	0.1	0.1	1.9
Negele Knight	52	35	17.1	.391	.000	.779	1.2	2.8	0.4	0.1	6.1
Dan Majerle	82	82	39.0	.464	.381	.778	4.7	3.8	1.7	0.4	16.9
Oliver Miller	56	1	19.1	.475	.000	.710	4.9	2.1	0.7	1.8	5.6
Jerrod Mustaf	32	9	10.5	.438	.000	.623	2.6	0.3	0.5	0.3	4.6
Kurt Rambis*	5	0	8.2	.571	.	.500	1.2	0.2	0.6	0.0	1.8
Alex Stivrins*	10	0	3.5	.611	.000	.	0.8	0.1	0.1	0.1	2.2
Mark West	82	82	19.0	.614†	.	.518	5.6	0.4	0.2	1.3	5.3

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

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Danny Ainge	24	0	24.6	.376	.413	.872	2.5	2.3	0.5	0.1	8.1
Charles Barkley	24	24	42.8	.477	.222	.771	13.6	4.3	1.6	1.0	26.6
Cedric Ceballos	16	3	11.6	.571	.	.727	2.3	0.8	0.3	0.4	6.0
Tom Chambers	24	1	15.7	.388	.400	.815	2.7	0.5	0.2	0.4	7.3
Richard Dumas	23	20	21.7	.525	.000	.755	2.8	1.0	0.9	0.6	10.9
Frank Johnson	22	0	7.8	.440	.333	.862	0.5	0.8	0.3	0.0	3.2
Kevin Johnson	23	23	39.7	.480	.000	.795	2.7	7.9	1.5	0.6	17.8
Negele Knight	9	1	3.8	.563	.	.	0.3	0.8	0.0	0.1	2.0
Dan Majerle	24	24	44.6	.431	.394	.696	5.8	3.7	1.4	1.2	15.4
Oliver Miller	24	0	21.4	.587†	.000	.564	5.2	2.1	0.9	2.5	7.2
Jerrod Mustaf	7	0	1.4	.600†	.	.	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.9
Mark West	24	24	19.5	.544	.	.609	4.1	0.5	0.2	1.4	4.8

† – Minimum 20 field goals made. Player Statistics Citation:^[20]

Transactions

Trades

June 17, 1992	To Philadelphia 76ers Jeff Hornacek Tim Perry Andrew Lang	To Phoenix Suns Charles Barkley

Free agents

Additions

Date	Player	Signed	Former 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

Date	Player	Reason left	New 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:^[59]