1992–93 Phoenix Suns season

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

Under Westphal, and with the addition of Barkley and Ainge, the Suns got off to a 7–4 start to the regular season, and then posted a 14-game winning streak in December; the team posted a 14–0 record that month, which led them to a 21–4 start to the season. The team posted a six-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break. The Suns posted an 11-game winning streak between March and April, and finished in first place in the Pacific Division with a league-best 62–20 record, earning the first seed in the Western Conference. 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, 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, and rookie small 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.

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. In addition, Majerle also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, while Ceballos participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second consecutive year; Ceballos won the Slam Dunk Contest the previous year. Majerle finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Ceballos finished tied in eleventh place in Most Improved Player voting, 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, and Westphal finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.

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 losing the first two games to the Lakers at home, which included a Game 2 loss at the America West Arena, 86–81. Despite the threat of elimination, the Suns managed to win the next two games on the road, including a Game 4 win over the Lakers at the Great Western Forum, 101–86 to even the series. The Suns won Game 5 over the Lakers at the America West Arena in overtime, 112–104 to win in a hard-fought five-game series.

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 the America West Arena, 109–97, the Suns won Game 6 over the Spurs at the HemisFair Arena, 102–100, as Barkley hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to win the series in six games.

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. The Suns took a 3–2 series lead before losing Game 6 to the SuperSonics on the road, 118–102 at the Seattle Center Coliseum. With the series tied at 3–3, the Suns won Game 7 over the SuperSonics at the America West Arena, 123–110, in which Barkley scored 44 points along with 24 rebounds; the Suns defeated the SuperSonics in a hard-fought seven-game series, and advanced to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.

In the 1993 NBA Finals, the Suns faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and 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 to the Bulls at home at the America West Arena, but managed to win 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 the America West Arena, Bulls reverse guard John Paxson hit a game-winning three-point shot as the Bulls defeated the Suns, 99–98 to win their third consecutive NBA championship.

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; the team also sold-out all 41 of their home games during the season. Following the season, Chambers signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz after five seasons with the Suns.

One notable incident of the regular season occurred on March 23, 1993, during a home game against the New York Knicks at the America West Arena. A brawl occurred when Johnson ran into Knicks guard Doc Rivers at the end of the first half; Rivers chased Johnson in retaliation, and Knicks guard Greg Anthony, who was dressed in street clothes because of a sprained ankle, came off the Knicks' bench and punched Johnson. Anthony was fined $20,500 and suspended for five games, while Johnson was fined $15,000 and suspended for two games, and Rivers was fined $10,000 and suspended for two games. The Suns defeated the Knicks, 121–92.

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, plus adding new uniforms, which featured the team's new logo on the front of their jerseys. The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2000. This was the last time the Suns would reach the NBA Finals until the 2020–21 season.

Offseason

NBA draft

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. 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, while Ellis never played in the NBA.

Trades

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. 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.

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. Point guard Frank Johnson was signed to back-up All-Star Kevin Johnson. Forward/center Tim Kempton was signed, but played sparingly throughout the season. 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.

Roster

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

Game log

|- bgcolor=ccffcc | 1 | November 7 | L.A. Clippers | W 111–105 | Charles Barkley (37) | Charles Barkley (21) | Charles Barkley (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 1–0 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 2 | November 10 | @ Portland | L 89–100 | Charles Barkley (21) | Charles Barkley (14) | Negele Knight (9) | Memorial Coliseum<br>12,888 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | November 12, 1992<br>7:00p.m. MST | @ Utah | W 102–91 | Barkley (25) | Barkley (14) | Barkley,<br>Majerle (5) | Delta Center<br>19,911 | 2–1 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 4 | November 14 | @ Minnesota | W 108–101 | Tom Chambers (28) | Charles Barkley (13) | Dan Majerle (6) | Target Center<br>19,006 | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 16, 1992<br>7:30p.m. MST | Seattle | W 117–108 | Barkley (28) | Barkley (12) | Knight (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 4–1 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 6 | November 18 | Sacramento | W 127–111 | Cedric Ceballos (30) | Cedric Ceballos (13) | Oliver Miller,<br>Alex Stivrins (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 5–1 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 7 | November 21 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 107–111 | Charles Barkley (44) | Charles Barkley (17) | Kevin Johnson (7) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena<br>14,419 | 5–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 8 | November 22, 1992<br>7:00p.m. MST | Chicago | L 111–128 | Barkley (22) | Barkley (9) | K. Johnson (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 5–3 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 9 | November 25 | Portland | W 121–117 | Charles Barkley (33) | Charles Barkley (18) | Charles Barkley (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 6–3 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 10 | November 27 | Golden State | W 121–107 | Charles Barkley (29) | Charles Barkley (11) | Frank Johnson (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 7–3 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 11 | November 28 | @ Golden State | L 131–134 | Charles Barkley (28) | Charles Barkley (18) | Dan Majerle (7) | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena<br>15,025 | 7–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 12 | December 1, 1992<br>7:30p.m. MST | Charlotte | W 109–90 | Ceballos (20) | Barkley (14) | Barkley (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 8–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | December 4, 1992<br>7:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | W 103–93 | Barkley (19) | Barkley (9) | F. Johnson (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 9–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 14 | December 6 | @ Milwaukee | W 122–112 | Negele Knight (22) | Charles Barkley (14) | Negele Knight (7) | Bradley Center<br>16,646 | 10–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | December 8, 1992<br>5:30p.m. MST | @ New Jersey | W 105–100 | Barkley (34) | Barkley (12) | Barkley (6) | Brendan Byrne Arena<br>16,514 | 11–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 16 | December 9, 1992<br>5:30p.m. MST | @ Charlotte | W 110–101 | Barkley (23) | Barkley (12) | Barkley (10) | Charlotte Coliseum<br>23,698 | 12–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 17 | December 11 | @ Orlando | W 108–107 | Tom Chambers (27) | Charles Barkley (11) | Danny Ainge (9) | Orlando Arena<br>15,151 | 13–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 18 | December 12 | @ Miami | W 122–118 | Charles Barkley (39) | Charles Barkley (10) | Danny Ainge,<br>Dan Majerle,<br>Oliver Miller (5) | Miami Arena<br>15,008 | 14–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 19 | December 15 | Washington | W 125–110 | Charles Barkley (36) | Charles Barkley (10) | Dan Majerle (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 15–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 18, 1992<br>8:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 116–100 | Barkley (25) | Barkley (23) | Knight,<br>Majerle (7) | Great Western Forum<br>16,734 | 16–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 21 | December 22 | Golden State | W 106–104 | Charles Barkley (35) | Charles Barkley (16) | Dan Majerle (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 17–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 22 | December 23 | @ Denver | W 111–96 | Dan Majerle (25) | Cedric Ceballos (11) | Dan Majerle (5) | McNichols Sports Arena<br>n/a | 18–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 26, 1992<br>7:30p.m. MST | Seattle | W 113–110 | Barkley (33) | Barkley (13) | Knight,<br>Majerle (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 19–4 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 24 | December 27 | Denver | W 129–88 | Richard Dumas (27) | Cedric Ceballos (12) | Kevin Johnson (12) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 20–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 | December 30, 1992<br>7:30p.m. MST | Houston | W 133–110 | Barkley,<br>Ke=. Johnson,<br>Majerle (25) | Barkley (17) | Barkley,<br>K. Johnson (10) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 21–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | January 3, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ San Antonio | L 113–114 (OT) | Barkley (31) | Barkley (12) | K. Johnson (8) | HemisFair Arena<br>16,057 | 21–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 27 | January 5, 1993<br>6:30p.m. MST | @ Houston | W 106–104 | Barkley (29) | Barkley (8) | Barkley (10) | The Summit<br>13,755 | 22–5 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 28 | January 7 | @ Dallas | W 111–107 | Charles Barkley (32) | Charles Barkley (14) | Charles Barkley,<br>Dan Majerle (6) | Reunion Arena<br>13,750 | 23–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 29 | January 12, 1993<br>8:00p.m. MST | @ Seattle | L 113–122 | Barkley (27) | Barkley (11) | K. Johnson (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum<br>14,812 | 23–6 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 30 | January 14 | @ Sacramento | W 114–104 | Richard Dumas,<br>Dan Majerle (23) | Dan Majerle,<br>Oliver Miller (9) | Kevin Johnson (8) | ARCO Arena<br>17,317 | 24–6 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 31 | January 15 | Miami | W 107–99 | Charles Barkley (31) | Charles Barkley (10) | Kevin Johnson,<br>Dan Majerle (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 25–6 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 32 | January 18, 1993<br>11:00a.m. MST | @ New York | L 103–106 | Barkley (27) | Barkley (15) | K. Johnson (9) | Madison Square Garden<br>19,763 | 25–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 20, 1993<br>5:30p.m. MST | @ Cleveland | L 119–123 | Dumas (23) | West (12) | Ceballos (5) | Richfield Coliseum<br>20,273 | 25–8 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 34 | January 22 | @ Washington | W 122–115 | Richard Dumas (26) | Charles Barkley (9) | Charles Barkley (7) | Capital Centre<br>18,756 | 26–8 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 35 | January 23 | @ Atlanta | W 110–91 | Charles Barkley (32) | Charles Barkley (16) | Kevin Johnson (7) | Omni Coliseum<br>16,531 | 27–8 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 36 | January 25 | @ Detroit | W 121–119 | Charles Barkley,<br>Kevin Johnson (24) | Richard Dumas (11) | Kevin Johnson (9) | The Palace of Auburn Hills<br>21,454 | 28–8 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 37 | January 27 | @ Minnesota | W 117–116 (OT) | Charles Barkley (35) | Charles Barkley (24) | Kevin Johnson (7) | Target Center<br>18,503 | 29–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 29, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | San Antonio | W 125–110 | Ainge (26) | Barkley (11) | K. Johnson (11) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 30–8 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 39 | January 30 | Dallas | W 126–105 | Dan Majerle (30) | Charles Barkley (14) | Kevin Johnson (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 31–8

|- bgcolor=ffcccc | 40 | February 2 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 108–112 | Kevin Johnson (23) | Mark West (12) | Charles Barkley,<br>Kevin Johnson (6) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena<br>15,989 | 31–9 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 41 | February 3 | Minnesota | W 122–102 | Danny Ainge (19) | Charles Barkley (14) | Kevin Johnson (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 32–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | February 5, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | W 132–104 | Majerle (29) | Dumas (9) | Barkley,<br>K. Johnson (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 33–9 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 43 | February 7 | Orlando | W 121–105 | Richard Dumas (31) | Charles Barkley (19) | Danny Ainge,<br>Kevin Johnson (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 34–9 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 44 | February 10 | L.A. Clippers | W 122–100 | Charles Barkley (22) | Charles Barkley (13) | Charles Barkley (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 35–9 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 45 | February 11 | @ Golden State | W 122–100 | Danny Ainge (33) | Charles Barkley (19) | Kevin Johnson (12) | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena<br>15,025 | 36–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | February 13, 1993<br>8:00p.m. MST | @ Seattle | L 94–95 | Barkley (33) | Barkley (8) | Barkley (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum<br>14,812 | 36–10 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 47 | February 16 | Boston | W 110–97 | Charles Barkley (32) | Charles Barkley,<br>Tom Chambers (12) | Charles Barkley (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 37–10 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 48 | February 18 | Atlanta | W 131–119 | Richard Dumas (32) | Charles Barkley (16) | Charles Barkley (12) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 38–10 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 49 | February 23, 1993<br>6:30p.m. MST | @ San Antonio | W 105–103 | Barkley (29) | Barkley (12) | Ainge (7) | HemisFair Arena<br>16,057 | 39–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 50 | February 25, 1993<br>6:30p.m. MST | @ Houston | L 104–131 | Dumas (21) | Barkley,<br>Dumas (8) | Ainge,<br>Barkley,<br>Knight (4) | The Summit<br>16,611 | 39–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | February 26, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | Utah | W 113–106 | Barkley (29) | Barkley (11) | Barkley (11) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 40–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 52 | February 28, 1993<br>1:30p.m. MST | Cleveland | L 94–101 | Barkley (27) | Barkley (19) | Barkley (11) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 40–12

|- bgcolor=ffcccc | 53 | March 2 | @ Portland | L 97–102 | Charles Barkley,<br>Dan Majerle (20) | Charles Barkley (12) | Dan Majerle (7) | Memorial Coliseum<br>12,888 | 40–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 54 | March 3 | Philadelphia | W 125–115 | Charles Barkley (36) | Charles Barkley (17) | Charles Barkley (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 41–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 55 | March 5 | Sacramento | W 130–122 | Charles Barkley (32) | Mark West (12) | Kevin Johnson (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 42–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 56 | March 6 | @ Dallas | W 109–102 | Kevin Johnson (28) | Charles Barkley (15) | Kevin Johnson (7) | Reunion Arena<br>17,502 | 43–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 57 | March 9 | @ Sacramento | W 128–108 | Cedric Ceballos (40) | Cedric Ceballos (12) | Kevin Johnson (12) | ARCO Arena<br>17,317 | 44–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 58 | March 10 | Golden State | W 111–100 | Charles Barkley (30) | Mark West (13) | Kevin Johnson (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 45–13 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 59 | March 12 | Dallas | W 116–98 | Cedric Ceballos (24) | Charles Barkley,<br>Cedric Ceballos (9) | Kevin Johnson (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 46–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 13, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | New Jersey | L 93–124 | K. Johnson (23) | Ceballos,<br>Chambers,<br>Mustaf (7) | K. Johnson (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 46–14 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 61 | March 17 | Portland | W 129–111 | Cedric Ceballos,<br>Tom Chambers (24) | Cedric Ceballos (14) | Kevin Johnson (14) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 47–14 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 62 | March 19 | Detroit | W 127–97 | Danny Ainge (23) | Charles Barkley (16) | Dan Majerle (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 48–14 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 63 | March 21 | Indiana | L 108–109 | Charles Barkley (38) | Charles Barkley,<br>Mark West (9) | Kevin Johnson (11) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 48–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 64 | March 23, 1993<br>6:30p.m. MST | New York | W 121–92 | Barkley (31) | Ceballos (12) | F. Johnson (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 49–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 65 | March 24, 1993<br>8:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 120–105 | Barkley (33) | Barkley (12) | Barkley (8) | Great Western Forum<br>17,505 | 50–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 66 | March 26 | Milwaukee | W 109–103 | Charles Barkley (31) | Charles Barkley (15) | Frank Johnson (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 51–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 67 | March 28 | @ Philadelphia | W 110–100 | Charles Barkley (35) | Cedric Ceballos (15) | Kevin Johnson (8) | The Spectrum<br>18,168 | 52–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 68 | March 30, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Chicago | W 113–109 | Ceballos (27) | West (10) | K. Johnson (16) | Chicago Stadium<br>18,676 | 53–15

|- bgcolor=ccffcc | 69 | April 2 | @ Boston | W 118–114 | Charles Barkley (37) | Charles Barkley (11) | Kevin Johnson (9) | Boston Garden<br>14,890 | 54–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 70 | April 4 | @ Indiana | W 110–100 | Charles Barkley (32) | Charles Barkley (13) | Kevin Johnson (8) | Market Square Arena<br>16,530 | 55–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | April 6, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | W 115–114 | K. Johnson (32) | Barkley (11) | Majerle (8) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 56–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 72 | April 8 | @ Sacramento | W 123–114 | Cedric Ceballos (28) | Mark West (13) | Kevin Johnson (7) | ARCO Arena | 57–15 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 73 | April 9 | Denver | W 98–97 | Charles Barkley (26) | Charles Barkley (19) | Charles Barkley (12) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 58–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | April 11, 1993<br>12:30p.m. MST | Utah | W 112–99 | K. Johnson (29) | Barkley (7) | K. Johnson (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 59–15 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 75 | April 12 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 104–111 | Richard Dumas (28) | Richard Dumas (12) | Danny Ainge,<br>Dan Majerle (6) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena<br>15,989 | 59–16 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 76 | April 14 | Minnesota | W 98–84 | Dan Majerle (25) | Cedric Ceballos (13) | Kevin Johnson (10) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 60–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | April 16, 1993<br>6:30p.m. MST | Seattle | L 102–108 | Ceballos (21) | Chambers,<br>Mustaf (7) | K. Johnson,<br>Majerle (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 60–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 78 | April 17, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Utah | L 101–110 | Ceballos (25) | Ceballos (10) | Knight (6) | Delta Center<br>19,911 | 60–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 79 | April 19, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | Houston | L 97–111 | K. Johnson (18) | Mustaf (8) | K. Johnson (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 60–19 |- bgcolor=ccffcc | 80 | April 22 | @ Portland | W 115–114 | Charles Barkley (25) | Cedric Ceballos (9) | Kevin Johnson (14) | Memorial Coliseum<br>12,888 | 61–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 81 | April 24, 1993<br>12:30p.m. MST | San Antonio | W 99–97 | Dumas (23) | Ceballos (11) | Ainge,<br>F. Johnson,<br>Knight (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 62–19 |- bgcolor=ffcccc | 82 | April 25 | @ Denver | L 118–120 | Richard Dumas (25) | Charles Barkley (10) | Danny Ainge (7) | McNichols Sports Arena<br>17,022 | 62–20

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. Approximately 300,000 fans braved the 105 degree heat to celebrate the memorable season in the streets of Phoenix.

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 30, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | L 103–107 | Barkley (34) | Barkley (15) | Knight,<br>Majerle (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 2, 1993<br>12Noon MST | L.A. Lakers | L 81–86 | Barkley,<br>Chambers,<br>Dumas (18) | Barkley (21) | K. Johnson (16) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 4, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 107–102 | Barkley (27) | Barkley (11) | Barkley,<br>K. Johnson,<br>Majerle (5) | Great Western Forum<br>17,505 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 6, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 101–86 | Barkley (28) | Barkley (11) | K. Johnson (6) | Great Western Forum<br>17,505 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 9, 1993<br>2:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | W 112–104 (OT) | Barkley (31) | Barkley,<br>Miller (14) | K. Johnson (13) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 3–2 |-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 11, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | San Antonio | W 98–89 | K. Johnson (25) | Barkley (10) | K. Johnson (7) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 13, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | San Antonio | W 109–103 | Barkley (35) | Barkley (10) | K. Johnson (12) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 15, 1993<br>10:00a.m. MST | @ San Antonio | L 96–111 | K. Johnson (26) | Barkley (14) | K. Johnson (7) | HemisFair Arena<br>16,057 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 16, 1993<br>12:30p.m. MST | @ San Antonio | L 103–117 | K. Johnson (26) | Barkley (12) | K. Johnson (8) | HemisFair Arena<br>16,057 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 18, 1993<br>7:30p.m. MST | San Antonio | W 109–97 | Barkley (36) | Barkley (12) | K. Johnson (12) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | May 20, 1993<br>4:00p.m. MST | @ San Antonio | W 102–100 | Barkley (28) | Barkley (21) | K. Johnson (8) | HemisFair Arena<br>16,057 | 4–2 |-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 24, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | Seattle | W 105–91 | Ceballos (21) | Barkley (14) | Majerle (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 26, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | Seattle | L 99–103 | Majerle (29) | Barkley,<br>Majerle (10) | Barkley (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 28, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Seattle | W 104–97 | K. Johnson (20) | Barkley (16) | K. Johnson (9) | Seattle Center Coliseum<br>14,812 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 30, 1993<br>12:30p.m. MST | @ Seattle | L 101–120 | Barkley (27) | Barkley (7) | K. Johnson (7) | Seattle Center Coliseum<br>14,812 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | June 1, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | Seattle | W 120–114 | Barkley (43) | Barkley (15) | Barkley,<br>K. Johnson (10) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | June 3, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Seattle | L 102–118 | K. Johnson (22) | Barkley (11) | K. Johnson (4) | Seattle Center Coliseum<br>14,812 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | June 5, 1993<br>12:30p.m. MST | Seattle | W 123–110 | Barkley (44) | Barkley (24) | K. Johnson (9) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 4–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | June 9, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | Chicago | L 92–100 | Barkley (21) | Dumas (12) | Barkley (5) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | June 11, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | Chicago | L 108–111 | Barkley (42) | Barkley (13) | K. Johnson (6) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | June 13, 1993<br>4:00p.m. MST | @ Chicago | W 129–121 (3OT) | Majerle (28) | Barkley (19) | K. Johnson (9) | Chicago Stadium<br>18,676 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | June 16, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Chicago | L 105–111 | Barkley (32) | Barkley (12) | Barkley (10) | Chicago Stadium<br>18,676 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | June 18, 1993<br>6:00p.m. MST | @ Chicago | W 108–98 | Dumas,<br>K. Johnson (25) | Majerle (12) | K. Johnson (8) | Chicago Stadium<br>18,676 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | June 20, 1993<br>4:00p.m. MST | Chicago | L 98–99 | Barkley,<br>Majerle (21) | Barkley (17) | K. Johnson (10) | America West Arena<br>19,023 | 2–4 |-

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.
• 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.
• Tom Chambers finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Player statistics

Season

<small>* – Stats with the Suns.</small><br> <small>† – Minimum 300 field goals made.</small>

Playoffs

<small>† – Minimum 20 field goals made.</small> Player statistics citation:

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions

Player Transactions Citation:

References

• Suns on Basketball Reference