1988–89 Phoenix Suns season

NBA team season March 2026 August 2023 Phoenix Suns 1989 55 27 Pacific 2 3 Cotton Fitzsimmons Jerry Colangelo Jerry Colangelo Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Western Conference finals(lost to Lakers 0–4) PHO KUTPASPN KTAR(Al McCoy) The 1988–89 Phoenix Suns season was the 20th 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 The Suns received the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected power forward Tim Perry out of Temple University, and also selected shooting guard Dan Majerle from the University of Central Michigan with the 14th overall pick. Goldaper Sam N.B.A. Draft: Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers The New York Times June 29, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/29/sports/nba-draft-manning-then-3-way-trade-give-hope-to-lowly-clippers.html February 10, 2022 Love Ian The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best... United Press International June 29, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/06/29/The-Los-Angeles-Clippers-gave-up-the-leagues-best/9390583560000/ December 27, 2022 1988 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html December 27, 2022 During the off-season, the Suns fired head coach John Wetzel, and replaced him with director of player personnel (and former head coach) Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached the team for the '70–'71 and '71–'72 seasons, Phoenix Suns President Jerry Colangelo, in Search... Los Angeles Times May 6, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-06-sp-2912-story.html June 20, 2023 Sports People: Suns Pick Fitzsimmons The New York Times May 11, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/11/sports/sports-people-suns-pick-fitzsimmons.html March 9, 2022 Fitzsimmons to Coach Suns, Groom Westphal The Washington Post May 11, 1988 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/05/11/fitzsimmons-to-coach-suns-groom-westphal/cd21c866-031f-469e-b181-2139055f7bab/ December 28, 2022 and signed free agent and one-time All-Star forward Tom Chambers. Chambers Joins Suns The New York Times July 6, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/06/sports/chambers-joins-suns.html February 10, 2022 Unrestricted Chambers Signs with the Suns Los Angeles Times July 6, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-06-sp-5323-story.html December 6, 2022 Kragthorpe Kurt Tom's Rich Chambers Spurns Jazz, Signs 5-Year, $9 Million Pact with Suns Deseret News July 6, 1988 https://www.deseret.com/1988/7/6/18770897/tom-s-rich-br-chambers-spurns-jazz-signs-5-year-9-million-pact-with-suns December 20, 2022 Regular season Under Fitzsimmons, and with the addition of Chambers and Majerle, the Suns lost six of their first ten games of the regular season, but then won 16 of their next 21 games, and later on held a 29–17 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=9&year=1989 December 6, 2022 The team posted a nine-game winning streak between March and April, and won 18 of their final 22 games of the season. The Suns finished in second place in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record, which earned them the third seed in the Western Conference. 1988–89 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1989_games.html February 10, 2022 Fitzsimmons was named the NBA Coach of the Year, after leading the Suns to a 27-game improvement over the previous season. Associated Press Fitzsimmons Coach of Year Los Angeles Times May 25, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-25-sp-1088-story.html December 28, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Fitzsimmons Honored The New York Times May 26, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/26/sports/sports-people-basketball-fitzsimmons-honored.html March 9, 2022 NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/coy.html December 27, 2022 Three members of the team averaged 20 or more points per game; Chambers averaged 25.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while sixth man Eddie Johnson averaged 21.5 points per game off the bench, and was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Associated Press Suns' Johnson Wins NBA's 6th Man Award Los Angeles Times May 8, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-08-sp-2691-story.html December 6, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Johnson Is Top 6th Man The New York Times May 9, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/09/sports/sports-people-basketball-johnson-is-top-6th-man.html March 9, 2022 NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html December 27, 2022 and second-year guard Kevin Johnson provided the team with 20.4 points, 12.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and was named the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year. Times Wire Services In Brief: Suns' Johnson "Most Improved" Los Angeles Times May 15, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-15-sp-287-story.html December 27, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Suns Guard Honored The New York Times May 16, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/16/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-guard-honored.html March 9, 2022 NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mip.html December 27, 2022 In addition, second-year forward Armen Gilliam provided with 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 13.5 points, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Majerle contributed 8.6 points per game in only 54 games. Meanwhile, Tyrone Corbin averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Mark West provided with 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. 1988–89 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1989.html February 10, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Chambers was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team, McManis Sam Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same Los Angeles Times February 12, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-12-sp-3000-story.html December 20, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1989 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1989 May 21, 2023 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1989.html February 10, 2022 while Perry participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. All-Star Lineups Ocala Star-Banner February 11, 1989 5D https://books.google.com/books?id=ncBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=1989+NBA+Long+Distance+Shootout+Jon+Sundvold&article_id=6669,2513784&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijoqjIofSPAxWULtAFHfXkOMc4ChDoAXoECAYQAw#v=onepage&q=1989%20NBA%20Long%20Distance%20Shootout%20Jon%20Sundvold&f=false September 25, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 25, 2025 Chambers and Kevin Johnson were both named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Kevin Johnson finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and with Chambers finishing in ninth place. McManis Sam Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons Los Angeles Times May 23, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-23-sp-655-story.html December 20, 2022 1988–89 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html May 25, 2025 The Suns finished 20th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 447,061 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum during the regular season. 1988–89 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989.html February 16, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 6th–seeded Denver Nuggets, a team that featured All-Star forward Alex English, All-Star guard Fat Lever, and Michael Adams. The Suns won the first two games over the Nuggets at home at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, before winning Game 3 on the road, 130–121 at the McNichols Sports Arena to win the series in a three-game sweep. Associated Press NBA Playoffs Roundup: Knicks Complete Sweep with Overtime Win Los Angeles Times May 3, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-03-sp-2350-story.html December 6, 2022 Associated Press Pistons, Knicks, Suns Complete Playoff Sweeps; Bucks Take 2-1 Lead Over Hawks Deseret News May 3, 1989 https://www.deseret.com/1989/5/3/18805415/pistons-knicks-suns-complete-playoff-sweeps-br-bucks-take-2-1-lead-over-hawks December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-western-conference-first-round-nuggets-vs-suns.html March 20, 2023 In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 7th–seeded Golden State Warriors, a team that featured All-Star forward Chris Mullin, Rookie of the Year, Mitch Richmond, and Terry Teagle. With the series tied at 1–1, the Suns won the next two games on the road at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, before winning Game 5 over the Warriors at home, 116–104 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum to win the series in five games. Associated Press Suns Beat Warriors to Advance The New York Times May 17, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/17/sports/suns-beat-warriors-to-advance.html December 5, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott NBA Playoffs: The Suns Also Rise in West as Warriors Fall, 116-104 Los Angeles Times May 17, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-17-sp-245-story.html December 5, 2022 1989 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Warriors vs. Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-western-conference-semifinals-warriors-vs-suns.html March 20, 2023 In the Western Conference Finals, the Suns then faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who won the Pacific Division title; the team was led by the quartet of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Magic Johnson, All-Star forward James Worthy, Byron Scott, and All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Suns lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, and then lost the next two games at home, including a Game 4 loss to the Lakers at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 122–117, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep. Brown Clifton Lakers Make a Full Sweep Into Final The New York Times May 29, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/29/sports/lakers-make-a-full-sweep-into-final.html December 5, 2022 McManis Sam NBA Playoffs: Sundown Comes Early in Phoenix; Lakers Sweep Into NBA Finals Again, 122-117 Los Angeles Times May 29, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-29-sp-712-story.html December 5, 2022 1989 NBA Western Conference Finals: Suns vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-western-conference-finals-suns-vs-lakers.html March 20, 2023 The Lakers would advance to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals. Goldaper Sam Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers The New York Times June 14, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/14/sports/pistons-earn-first-title-by-sweeping-lakers.html December 6, 2022 McManis Sam Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97 Los Angeles Times June 14, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-14-sp-2097-story.html December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-finals-lakers-vs-pistons.html March 20, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Corbin was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves expansion team. Brown Clifton Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft The New York Times June 16, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/16/sports/knicks-green-is-taken-first-in-nba-s-expansion-draft.html December 6, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers Los Angeles Times June 16, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-16-sp-1959-story.html December 6, 2022 1989 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989_expansion.html February 10, 2022 NBA draft 1988 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 7 Tim Perry Forward United States Temple 1 14 Dan Majerle Guard United States Central Michigan 2 28 Andrew Lang Center United States Arkansas 2 38 Dean Garrett Center United States Indiana 2 50 Steve Kerr Guard United States Arizona 3 55 Rodney Johns Guard United States Grand Canyon The Suns used their first-round pick to select power forward Tim Perry from Temple. Perry averaged 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in four years with the Owls. In his first three years with the Suns, Perry would average 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game playing in a limited role. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Perry averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After the season, he was traded, alongside Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang, to the Philadelphia 76ers for superstar forward Charles Barkley. The Suns received the 14th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select swingman Dan Majerle from Central Michigan. Majerle averaged 21.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in four years with the Chippewas. Majerle would spend his first seven seasons with the Suns, appearing in three All-Star games before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995. He would return to play for the Suns in the 2001–02 season before retiring. His number 9 jersey was retired by the franchise in 2003. The Suns received the 28th pick from a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1988. With the pick they would select center Andrew Lang from Arkansas. Lang averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in four years with the Razorbacks. Like Perry, Lang played a limited role in his first three seasons, averaging 3.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Lang averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, before being traded to the 76ers. In 1987, the Suns traded their second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Eddie Johnson. The pick was then traded to the New York Knicks and then to the Detroit Pistons, who selected small forward Fennis Dembo with the 30th pick. The Suns received the 38th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select center Dean Garrett from Indiana. Garrett averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in two years with the Hoosiers. Garrett suffered a fractured foot before appearing in any games, and missed the entire season. He was waived before the start of the 1989–90 season without appearing in any games for the franchise. The Suns received the 50th pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. With the pick they would select guard Steve Kerr from Arizona. Kerr averaged 11.2 points and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Wildcats. Kerr would spend most of his rookie season on the injured reserve, averaging 2.1 points per game in 26 games, before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. The Suns used their third-round pick to select point guard Rodney Johns from Grand Canyon. Johns averaged 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in two years with the Antelopes. The Suns signed Johns to a contract on September 27, but he was waived on November 1 before the start of the season. Roster Phoenix Suns 1988–89 #702F8B #FFFFFF #FB4417 #702F8B 24 Tom Chambers basketball F 6 10 220 1959–06–21 Utah 23 Tyrone Corbin F 6 6 210 1962–12–31 DePaul 25 T. R. Dunn G 6 4 192 1955–02–01 Alabama 22 Dean Garrett C 6 10 225 1966–11–27 Indiana yes IN 44 Kenny Gattison F 6 8 225 1964–05–23 Old Dominion 35 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964–05–28 UNLV 14 Jeff Hornacek G 6 3 190 1963–05–03 Iowa State 8 Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 F 6 7 215 1959–05–01 Illinois 7 Kevin Johnson basketball player G 6 1 180 1966–03–04 California 4 Steve Kerr G 6 3 175 1965–09–27 Arizona 28 Andrew Lang basketball C 6 11 245 1966–06–28 Arkansas 9 Dan Majerle G 6 6 215 1965–09–09 Central Michigan 45 Ed Nealy F 6 7 238 1960–02–19 Kansas State 34 Tim Perry F/C 6 9 200 1965–06–04 Temple 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/1989.html February 5, 1989 Roster Notes Rookie center Dean Garrett was on the injured reserve list due to a fractured foot, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Suns. Associated Press Suns' Garrett Lost Up to 12 Weeks The New York Times August 28, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/28/sports/suns-garrett-lost-up-to-12-weeks.html March 9, 2022 Associated Press Suns' Dean Garrett to Have More Surgery Los Angeles Times December 16, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-16-sp-238-story.html May 23, 2023 Regular season Standings PHO PHO Playoffs Game log Phoenix Suns yes 1989 Phoenix Suns First Round yes yes no 2 0 1 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 28 | Denver | W 104–103 | Chambers, K. Johnson (26) | Tom Chambers (17) | Kevin Johnson (9) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 30 | Denver | W 132–114 | Kevin Johnson (34) | Tom Chambers (12) | Kevin Johnson (14) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 2 | @ Denver | W 130–121 | Chambers, K. Johnson (32) | Tom Chambers (17) | Kevin Johnson (16) | McNichols Sports Arena12,660 | 3–0 Phoenix Suns Conference semifinals yes yes no 2 1 2 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 6 | Golden State | W 130–103 | Tom Chambers (25) | Eddie Johnson (9) | Kevin Johnson (11) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 9 | Golden State | L 122–127 | Eddie Johnson (35) | Eddie Johnson (9) | Kevin Johnson (12) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 11 | @ Golden State | W 113–104 | Tom Chambers (31) | Chambers, Corbin (14) | Kevin Johnson (15) | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena15,025 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 13 | @ Golden State | W 135–99 | Eddie Johnson (34) | Tyrone Corbin (13) | Hornacek, K. Johnson (8) | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena15,025 | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 16 | Golden State | W 116–104 | three players tied (24) | Chambers, E. Johnson (11) | Kevin Johnson (11) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 4–1 Phoenix Suns Conference finals yes yes no 0 2 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 20 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 119–127 | Kevin Johnson (27) | Tom Chambers (10) | Kevin Johnson (18) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 23 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 95–101 | Kevin Johnson (22) | Tom Chambers (10) | Kevin Johnson (10) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 26 | L.A. Lakers | L 107–110 | Tom Chambers (26) | Jeff Hornacek (11) | Kevin Johnson (15) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 28 | L.A. Lakers | L 117–122 | Tom Chambers (41) | Tom Chambers (13) | Kevin Johnson (10) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum14,471 | 0–4 |- PHO 1989 yes Awards and honors Week/Month Tom Chambers was named Player of the Week for games played January 23 through January 29. Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played March 13 through March 19. Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Month for February. Cotton Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Month for April. All-Star Tom Chambers was selected as a reserve in the 1989 All-Star Game. It was his second All-Star selection. Season Kevin Johnson received the Most Improved Player Award. Eddie Johnson received the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Cotton Fitzsimmons received the Coach of the Year Award. Jerry Colangelo received the Executive of the Year Award. Kevin Johnson was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Johnson also finished 8th in the Most Valuable Player voting. Tom Chambers was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Chambers also finished 9th in the Most Valuable Player voting. Player statistics Season Phoenix Suns |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Chambers, Tom Tom Chambers || 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 81 || 37.1 || .471 || .326 || .851 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8.4 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 0.7 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 25.7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Corbin, Tyrone Tyrone Corbin || 77 || 30 || 21.5 || .540 || .000 || .788 || 5.2 || 1.5 || 1.1 || 0.2 || 8.2 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Crite, Winston Winston Crite || 2 || 0 || 3.0 || .000 || . || . || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Davis, Mark Mark Davis* || 2 || 0 || 3.5 || .200 || .000 || 1.000^ || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Dunn, T. R. T. R. Dunn || 34 || 1 || 9.4 || .343 || . || .750 || 1.8 || 0.7 || 0.4 || .0 || 1.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Gattison, Kenny Kenny Gattison || 2 || 0 || 4.5 || .000 || . || .500 || 0.5 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.5 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Gilliam, Armon Armon Gilliam || 74 || 60 || 28.6 || .503 || . || .743 || 7.3 || 0.7 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 15.9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Hodges, Craig Craig Hodges* || 10 || 0 || 9.2 || .444 || .333 || .750 || 0.5 || 0.8 || 0.2 || .0 || 3.9 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Hornacek, Jeff Jeff Hornacek || 78 || 73 || 31.9 || .495 || .333 || .826 || 3.4 || 6.0 || 1.7 || 0.1 || 13.5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Johnson, Eddie Eddie Johnson || 70 || 7 || 29.2 || .497 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .413† || .868 || 4.4 || 2.3 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 21.5 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson || 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 81 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 39.2 || .505 || .091 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .882^ || 4.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.7 || 0.3 || 20.4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr || 26 || 0 || 6.0 || .435 || .471† || .667 || 0.7 || 0.9 || 0.3 || .0 || 2.1 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang || 62 || 25 || 8.5 || .513 || . || .650 || 2.4 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 0.8 || 2.6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Majerle, Dan Dan Majerle || 54 || 5 || 25.1 || .419 || .329 || .614 || 3.9 || 2.4 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 8.6 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Nealy, Ed Ed Nealy* || 30 || 0 || 5.5 || .276 || .000 || .429 || 1.8 || 0.3 || 0.1 || .0 || 0.6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Perry, Tim Tim Perry || 62 || 15 || 9.9 || .537 || .200 || .615 || 2.1 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 4.1 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | West, Mark Mark West || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 32 || 24.6 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .653 || . || .535 || 6.7 || 0.5 || 0.4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 2.3 || 7.2 |} * – Stats with the Suns. † – Minimum 55 three-pointers made. ^ – Minimum 125 free throws made. Playoffs Phoenix Suns |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Chambers, Tom Tom Chambers || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 41.3 || .459 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .409 || .859 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 10.9 || 3.8 || 1.1 || 1.3 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 26.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Corbin, Tyrone Tyrone Corbin || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 25.8 || .523 || . || .760 || 7.1 || 2.2 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 2.0 || 0.3 || 9.1 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Dunn, T. R. T. R. Dunn || 8 || 0 || 9.9 || .429 || . || .500 || 1.9 || 0.1 || 0.6 || .0 || 0.9 |- align="center" bgcolor="f0f0f0" | Gilliam, Armon Armon Gilliam || 9 || 0 || 14.0 || .529 || . || .864 || 5.0 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 8.1 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Hornacek, Jeff Jeff Hornacek || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 31.2 || .497 || .000 || .840 || 5.8 || 5.2 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 14.1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Johnson, Eddie Eddie Johnson || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 0 || 32.7 || .413 || .342 || .769 || 7.3 || 2.1 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 17.8 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 41.2 || .495 || .300 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .927 || 4.3 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12.3 || 1.6 || 0.4 || 23.8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang || 4 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || . || . || 1.5 || 0.3 || .0 || .0 || 0.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Majerle, Dan Dan Majerle || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 0 || 29.3 || .438 || .286 || .792 || 4.8 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 0.3 || 14.3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | Nealy, Ed Ed Nealy || 4 || 0 || 1.5 || .333 || . || . || 0.8 || 0.0 || .0 || .0 || 0.5 |- align="center" bgcolor="" | Perry, Tim Tim Perry || 4 || 0 || 4.3 || .500 || . || .000 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 1.0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | West, Mark Mark West || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 12 || 18.9 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .640 || . || .714 || 4.4 || 0.5 || 0.6 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.6 || 6.2 |} Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades December 14, 1988 To Chicago Bulls USA Craig Hodges To Phoenix Suns USA Ed Nealy 1989 second-round draft pick Free agents Additions Date Player Contract Former Team July 5, 1988 Tom Chambers Signed 5-year contract for $8.7 million Seattle SuperSonics December 30, 1988 Mark Davis Signed two ten-day contracts Milwaukee Bucks January 16, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed two ten-day contracts Denver Nuggets February 5, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns Subtractions Date Player Reason left New team April 29, 1988 Alvan Adams Retired n/a July 6, 1988 Walter Davis Free agent Denver Nuggets June 23, 1988 Bernard Thompson Expansion draft Charlotte Hornets June 30, 1988 James Bailey Released Glaxo Verona (Italy) June 30, 1988 Jeff Cook Released AS Monaco (France) August 29, 1988 Ron Moore Released n/a December 27, 1988 Winston Crite Waived Brisbane Bullets (Australia) January 14, 1989 Mark Davis Waived Milwaukee Bucks Player Transactions Citation:1988–89 Phoenix Suns Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1989_transactions.html February 10, 2022 References Standings on Basketball Reference Category:Phoenix Suns seasons Phoenix