1991–92 Phoenix Suns season

NBA team season March 2026 August 2023 Phoenix Suns 1992 53 29 Pacific 3 4 Cotton Fitzsimmons Jerry Colangelo Jerry Colangelo Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Conference semifinals(lost to Trail Blazers 1–4) PHO KUTP ASPN KTAR The 1991–92 Phoenix Suns season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. Phoenix Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season This was the Suns' final season in which they played their home games at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. During the off-season, the team acquired three-point specialist Trent Tucker from the New York Knicks; Brown Clifton Basketball: Knicks Add Firepower by Acquiring McDaniel The New York Times October 2, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/02/sports/basketball-knicks-add-firepower-by-acquiring-mcdaniel.html November 20, 2022 however, Tucker never played for the Suns as he was released to free agency, and later on signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Sports People: Basketball: Suns Release Tucker The New York Times November 17, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/17/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-release-tucker.html November 20, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Tucker Joins Spurs The New York Times February 28, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/28/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-tucker-joins-spurs.html January 19, 2022 Regular season After a 3–2 start to the regular season, the Suns struggled posting a six-game losing streak, which led to a 3–8 start to the season. However, the team soon recovered by posting a nine-game winning streak between November and December, then later on posting a seven-game winning streak in January, and holding a 32–16 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=6&year=1992 November 21, 2022 The Suns posted a six-game winning streak between March and April, and finished in third place in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record, which earned them the fourth seed in the Western Conference. 1991–92 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1992_games.html October 14, 2021 Jeff Hornacek averaged 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while Kevin Johnson averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and sixth man Dan Majerle provided the team with 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game off the bench. In addition, Tom Chambers contributed 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Tim Perry showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward averaging 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Andrew Lang replaced Mark West as the team's starting center this season, averaging 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and leading the team with 2.5 blocks per game. Meanwhile, second-year forward Cedric Ceballos contributed 7.2 points per game, West averaged 6.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Negele Knight provided with 5.8 points and 2.7 assists per game. 1991–92 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1992.html October 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Hornacek and Majerle were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was the first All-Star appearance for both players, and the only All-Star appearance for Hornacek. Heisler Mark Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game Los Angeles Times February 9, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-09-sp-3573-story.html January 28, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1992 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1992 July 10, 2025 1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1992.html November 27, 2021 In addition, Hornacek also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, Pro Basketball Gadsden Times February 8, 1992 D2 https://books.google.com/books?id=H3EfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=1992+NBA+slam+dunk+roster&article_id=7135,868277&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTgMOr2p2QAxVfLtAFHVQuNtIQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=1992%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20roster&f=false October 12, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 12, 2025 and Ceballos won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. In the Dark, in the Money The New York Times February 10, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/10/sports/in-the-dark-in-the-money.html November 20, 2022 Johnson finished in 15th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1991–92 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html December 7, 2025 while Majerle finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and Perry finished tied in sixth place in Most Improved Player voting. The Suns finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 594,327 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum during the regular season. 1991–92 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 5th–seeded Spurs, who were led by Terry Cummings, Sean Elliott and Rod Strickland. The Spurs were without All-Star center, and Defensive Player of the Year, David Robinson, who was out due to a season-ending thumb injury. Sports People: Basketball: Spurs' Robinson Might Face Surgery The New York Times March 27, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/27/sports/sports-people-basketball-spurs-robinson-might-face-surgery.html January 9, 2026 Sports People: Basketball: Robinson Has Surgery on Injured Thumb The New York Times March 29, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/sports/sports-people-basketball-robinson-has-surgery-on-injured-thumb.html January 9, 2026 Hafner Dan NBA Roundup: Without Robinson, Spurs Just Another Loser Los Angeles Times March 30, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-30-sp-51-story.html January 9, 2026 The Suns won the first two games over the Spurs at home at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, before winning Game 3 on the road, 101–92 at the HemisFair Arena to win the series in a three-game sweep. Pro Basketball: Jordan Scores 56 Points, Finishing Sweep of Heat The New York Times April 30, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/30/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-scores-56-points-finishing-sweep-of-heat.html October 14, 2021 Jordan Warms to Task, Hits 56, Eliminates Heat The Washington Post April 30, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/04/30/jordan-warms-to-task-hits-56-eliminates-heat/5ee6739d-cfd4-42d8-b705-dd69dd8654e8/ July 26, 2022 1992 NBA Western Conference First Round: Spurs vs. Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-western-conference-first-round-spurs-vs-suns.html April 18, 2023 In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the top–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Portland Trail Blazers, a team that featured All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, All-Star guard Terry Porter, and Jerome Kersey. The Trail Blazers took a 2–0 series lead, but the Suns managed to win Game 3 at home, 124–117 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 1992 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Game 3: Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns Box Score, May 9, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205090PHO.html June 30, 2026 After losing Game 4 at home in double-overtime, 153–151, the Suns lost Game 5 to the Trail Blazers on the road, 118–106 at the Memorial Coliseum, thus losing the series in five games. Associated Press Drexler Scores 34 as Trail Blazers Move Ahead: NBA: Portland Takes Series from Suns, 4-1, to Reach Western Finals Again, 118-106 Los Angeles Times May 15, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-15-sp-2018-story.html July 26, 2022 Associated Press Red-Hot Blazers Bop Suns Deseret News May 15, 1992 https://www.deseret.com/1992/5/15/18984059/red-hot-blazers-bop-suns-br January 28, 2023 1992 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Suns vs. Trail Blazers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-western-conference-semifinals-suns-vs-trail-blazers.html April 18, 2023 The Trail Blazers would lose in six games to the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals. Brown Clifton With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun The New York Times June 15, 1992 https://partners.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/061592bkn-jordan.html September 22, 2022 Heisler Mark Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory Los Angeles Times June 15, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-15-sp-418-story.html September 22, 2022 1992 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-bulls.html April 18, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Hornacek, Perry and Lang were all traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, after Hornacek spent six seasons with the Suns, Brown Clifton Basketball: Bright Day for Suns: They Get Barkley The New York Times June 18, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/18/sports/basketball-bright-day-for-suns-they-get-barkley.html March 7, 2022 Associated Press 76ers Send Barkley to Suns: Pro Basketball: Controversial Forward Traded After Acquittal in Milwaukee. Philadelphia Gets Hornacek, Lang and Perry Los Angeles Times June 18, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-18-sp-747-story.html July 26, 2022 Nakamura David 76ers Trade Barkley to Suns The Washington Post June 18, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/06/18/76ers-trade-barkley-to-suns/be49f8a8-bf92-41be-8f46-a53feaa3a0f4/ November 10, 2022 and head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons resigned, ending his four-season second stint as coach of the Suns. Sports People: Basketball: Suns to Change Coaches The New York Times April 24, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/24/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-to-change-coaches.html December 31, 2021 Staff and Wire Reports NBA Firings: Westhead, Hamblen Los Angeles Times April 24, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-24-sp-910-story.html November 18, 2022 Westhead Fired by Nuggets, Fitzsimmons Steps Down The Washington Post April 24, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/04/24/westhead-fired-by-nuggets-fitzsimmons-steps-down/97ceed14-1586-4d2d-b498-1b6846ef5c24/ May 2, 2023 Draft picks 1991 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 2 32 Chad Gallagher Center United States Creighton 2 46 Richard Dumas Forward United States Oklahoma State 2 50 Joey Wright Guard United States Texas None of the three players that the Suns selected in the 1991 NBA draft would play with the Suns this season. Both Chad Gallagher and Joey Wright were cut from the team before the regular season began, while Richard Dumas showcased promising talents early on in training camp, but was suspended from the team for the entire season due to substance abuse violations.NBA suspends ex-Poke Dumas for NBA season https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98908532/ 10 March 2024 The Daily Oklahoman 1 November 1991 29 Newspapers.com http://www.nba.com/suns/gallery/dumas_93.html Richard Dumas on'93 NBA.com June 13, 2003 March 10, 2024 Dumas would, however, return to the Suns to play what became his proper rookie season the following season afterward. Roster Phoenix Suns 1991–92 15 Steve Burtt PG 6 2 185 1962–11–05 Iona 23 Cedric Ceballos SF 6 6 190 1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton 24 Tom Chambers basketball PF 6 10 220 1959–06–21 Utah 21 Richard Dumas SF 6 7 200 1969–05–19 Oklahoma State S 14 Jeff Hornacek SG 6 3 190 1963–05–03 Iowa State 7 Kevin Johnson basketball player PG 6 1 180 1966–03–04 California 32 Negele Knight PG 6 1 175 1967–03–06 Dayton 28 Andrew Lang basketball C 6 11 245 1966–06–28 Arkansas 9 Dan Majerle SF 6 6 215 1965–09–09 Central Michigan 0 Jerrod Mustaf PF 6 10 238 1969–10–28 Maryland 45 Ed Nealy SF 6 7 238 1960–02–19 Kansas State 34 Tim Perry PF 6 9 200 1965–06–04 Temple 31 Kurt Rambis PF 6 8 213 1958–02–25 Santa Clara 41 Mark West basketball C 6 10 230 1960–11–05 Old Dominion Cotton Fitzsimmons Lionel Hollins Scotty Robertson Paul Westphal https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1992.html April 23, 1992 Roster Notes Rookie small forward Richard Dumas was suspended for violating the NBA's substance abuse policy. Sports People: Basketball: Suns Suspend Dumas The New York Times November 1, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/01/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-suspend-dumas.html December 15, 2021 Regular season Season standings PHO y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot PHO z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Game log Phoenix Suns yes 1992 Phoenix Suns First Round yes yes no 2 0 1 0 |- | 1 | April 24 | San Antonio | W 117–111 | Dan Majerle (25) | Cedric Ceballos (9) | Kevin Johnson (17) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,496 | 1–0 |- | 2 | April 26 | San Antonio | W 119–107 | Hornacek, Perry (31) | Lang, Perry (10) | Kevin Johnson (19) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,496 | 2–0 |- | 3 | April 29 | @ San Antonio | W 101–92 | Hornacek, Johnson (22) | Tim Perry (9) | Kevin Johnson (11) | HemisFair Arena14,853 | 3–0 Phoenix Suns Conference semifinals yes yes no 1 1 0 3 |- | 1 | May 5 | @ Portland | L 111–113 | Kevin Johnson (24) | Chambers, Johnson (8) | Jeff Hornacek (12) | Memorial Coliseum12,888 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 7 | @ Portland | L 119–126 | Kevin Johnson (35) | Jeff Hornacek (11) | Dan Majerle (6) | Memorial Coliseum12,888 | 0–2 |- | 3 | May 9 | Portland | W 124–117 | Jeff Hornacek (30) | Majerle, Perry (9) | Kevin Johnson (16) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,496 | 1–2 |- | 4 | May 11 | Portland | L 151–153 (2OT) | Kevin Johnson (35) | Dan Majerle (11) | Kevin Johnson (14) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,496 | 1–3 |- | 5 | May 14 | @ Portland | L 106–118 | Chambers, Perry (19) | Tom Chambers (8) | Kevin Johnson (6) | Memorial Coliseum12,888 | 1–4 |- PHO 1992 yes Awards and honors Week/Month Jeff Hornacek was named Player of the Month for December. Cotton Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Month for December. All-Star Jeff Hornacek was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first and only All-Star selection. Hornacek finished seventh in voting among Western Conference guards with 271,180 votes. Dan Majerle was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection. Other Suns players receiving All-Star votes were Tom Chambers (406,185) and Kevin Johnson (309,820). Cedric Ceballos won the Slam Dunk Contest, winning the competition with the famous "Hocus Pocus" blindfolded dunk. Jeff Hornacek participated in the Three-Point Shootout, losing to champion and former Suns teammate Craig Hodges. Season Kevin Johnson was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Johnson also finished 15th in MVP voting. Dan Majerle finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Burtt, Steve Steve Burtt 31 2 11.5 .463 .167 .704 1.1 1.9 .5 .1 6.0 Ceballos, Cedric Cedric Ceballos 64 4 11.3 .482 .167 .736 2.4 0.8 .3 .2 7.2 Chambers, Tom Tom Chambers 69 66 28.2 .431 .367 .830 5.8 2.1 .8 .5 16.3 Hornacek, Jeff Jeff Hornacek 81 81 38.0 .512 .439 .886 5.0 5.1 2.0 .4 20.1 Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson 78 78 37.2 .479 .217 .807 3.7 10.7 1.5 .3 19.7 Knight, Negele Negele Knight 42 1 15.0 .475 .308 .688 1.1 2.7 .6 .1 5.8 Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang 81 71 24.3 .522 .000 .768 6.7 0.5 .6 2.5 7.7 Majerle, Dan Dan Majerle 82 15 34.8 .478 .382 .756 5.9 3.3 1.6 .5 17.3 Mustaf, Jerrod Jerrod Mustaf 52 3 10.5 .477 . .690 2.8 0.9 .4 .3 4.5 Nealy, Ed Ed Nealy 52 4 9.7 .512 .400 .667 2.1 0.7 .3 .0 3.1 Perry, Tim Tim Perry 80 69 31.0 .523 .375 .712 6.9 1.7 .6 1.5 12.3 Rambis, Kurt Kurt Rambis 28 5 13.6 .463 . .778 3.8 1.3 .4 .5 3.2 West, Mark Mark West 82 11 17.5 .632 . .637 4.5 0.3 .2 1.0 6.1 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Burtt, Steve Steve Burtt 8 0 13.0 .421 .000 .857 1.5 1.8 .6 .0 6.3 Ceballos, Cedric Cedric Ceballos 8 8 23.5 .550 . .667 6.4 1.5 .8 .8 13.5 Chambers, Tom Tom Chambers 7 0 27.7 .459 .571^ .844 4.4 2.7 .3 .7 15.6 Hornacek, Jeff Jeff Hornacek 8 8 42.9 .484 .471^ .912 6.4 5.3 1.8 .3 20.4 Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson 8 8 41.9 .484 .500^ .861 4.1 11.6 1.5 .3 23.6 Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang 8 8 24.0 .375 . .789 4.0 0.3 .4 1.9 5.6 Majerle, Dan Dan Majerle 7 0 38.0 .432 .273 .962+ 6.3 2.9 1.4 .0 18.6 Nealy, Ed Ed Nealy 8 0 8.4 .389 .385 1.000+ 2.3 0.5 .4 .0 2.9 Perry, Tim Tim Perry 8 8 23.1 .603† . .719 4.9 1.4 .4 .8 12.4 West, Mark Mark West 8 0 12.0 .737† . .500 2.1 0.3 .3 .5 4.0 † – Minimum 20 field goals made. ^ – Minimum 5 three-pointers made. + – Minimum 10 free throws made. Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades June 27, 1991 To Cleveland Cavaliers Rights to YUG Miloš Babić To Phoenix Suns Rights to ITA Stefano Rusconi October 1, 1991 To New York Knicks USA Xavier McDaniel To Phoenix Suns USA Jerrod Mustaf USA Trent Tucker 1992 second-round draft pick (USA Brian Davis) 1994 second-round draft pick (USA Anthony Goldwire) Free agents Additions Date Player Contract Old Team February 14, 1992 Steve Burtt Signed two 10-day contracts Oklahoma City Cavalry (CBA) March 5, 1992 Steve Burtt Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns Subtractions Date Player Reason left New team August 6, 1991 Ian Lockhart Free agent Cholet Basket (France) October 29, 1991 Joey Wright Waived Pensacola HotShots (GBA) October 30, 1991 Joe Barry Carroll Waived (Retired) November 15, 1991 Trent Tucker Waived San Antonio Spurs Player Transactions Citation:1991–92 Phoenix Suns Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1992_transactions.html July 2, 2021 See also 1991–92 NBA season References 2 Category:Phoenix Suns seasons Phoenix