The 1978-79 Phoenix Suns season was a notable campaign for the franchise, marking their 11th season in the NBA. Under the guidance of head coach John MacLeod, the Suns finished with a solid 50-32 record. This performance placed them second in the Pacific Division behind the Los Angeles Lakers, earning them a spot in the playoffs.
Throughout the regular season, the Suns showcased a balanced attack with several key players contributing significantly. Paul Westphal, a standout on the team, led the Suns with his scoring prowess, averaging 24.0 points per game. Alvan Adams provided versatility in the frontcourt, while Walter Davis continued to be a crucial offensive weapon, enhancing the team’s scoring capabilities.
In the playoffs, the Suns faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals. They emerged victorious, winning the series 4-2. This success propelled them into the Western Conference Finals, where they encountered the Seattle SuperSonics. Despite their efforts, the Suns were unable to advance further, falling to the SuperSonics in a hard-fought series that ended 4-3 in favor of Seattle.
The 1978-79 season highlighted the Suns’ resilience and competitiveness in the league. Their playoff run and overall performance built a strong foundation for the team’s future, establishing them as a formidable presence in the NBA during that era. The season remains a significant chapter in the history of the Phoenix Suns, reflecting their pursuit of excellence and success.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 3-4
Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats for 1978-79 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Paul Westphal | 81 | 24.0 | 2.0 | 6.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 15 | 22.4 | 2.2 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Walter Davis | 79 | 23.6 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 15 | 22.1 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Alvan Adams | 77 | 17.8 | 9.2 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 12 | 12.8 | 7.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Truck Robinson | 26 | 16.0 | 8.7 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 15 | 10.5 | 8.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Ron Lee | 43 | 9.8 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Bratz | 77 | 8.1 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 15 | 10.6 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Don Buse | 82 | 7.8 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 7.9 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Marty Byrnes | 43 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Alvin Scott | 81 | 6.7 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 15 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Gar Heard | 63 | 6.3 | 5.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 15 | 5.5 | 7.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Joel Kramer | 82 | 5.9 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 15 | 6.0 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Ted McClain | 36 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bayard Forrest | 75 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 14 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Phoenix Suns in the 1979 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the first round of the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced the Portland Trail Blazers in a best-of-three series. The Suns showcased their resilience and depth, managing to secure a 2-1 series victory. Their strong performance was highlighted by key contributions from players like Walter Davis and Paul Westphal, setting the stage for their advancement to the Western Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 1979 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-103 | |
| Apr 13, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-92 | |
| Apr 15, 1979 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 101-91 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Kansas City Kings
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs' second round, the Phoenix Suns faced the Kansas City Kings. The Suns showcased a resilient performance, defeating the Kings in a tightly contested seven-game series. Key contributions from players like Paul Westphal and Walter Davis were instrumental in Phoenix advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 102-99 | |
| Apr 20, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 111-91 | |
| Apr 22, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 108-93 | |
| Apr 25, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 108-94 | |
| Apr 27, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 120-99 |
1979 Conference Championship vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns reached the Western Conference Finals, showcasing a robust performance led by stars like Paul Westphal and Walter Davis. Despite their efforts, they fell to the Seattle SuperSonics in a fiercely contested series, losing 4-3. This appearance marked a significant moment in Suns history, as they demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit against a formidable opponent.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 01, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-93 | |
| May 04, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-97 | |
| May 06, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-103 | |
| May 08, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-91 | |
| May 11, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-93 | |
| May 13, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-105 | |
| May 17, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-110 |
Phoenix Suns 1978-79 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1978-79 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 1978 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 128-114 | |
| Oct 15, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 129-110 | |
| Oct 17, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 110-107 | |
| Oct 18, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 122-112 | |
| Oct 22, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-116 | |
| Oct 24, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 124-116 | |
| Oct 25, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 108-104 | |
| Oct 27, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 115-110 | |
| Oct 28, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 112-102 | |
| Oct 31, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-108 | |
| Nov 02, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 106-99 | |
| Nov 04, 1978 | @ Houston Rockets | L 110-103 | |
| Nov 08, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 118-96 | |
| Nov 10, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 150-132 | |
| Nov 12, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 128-122 | |
| Nov 15, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 125-119 | |
| Nov 17, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-94 | |
| Nov 18, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 119-105 | |
| Nov 21, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-108 | |
| Nov 22, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 115-110 | |
| Nov 24, 1978 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 120-113 | |
| Nov 26, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 125-109 | |
| Nov 28, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 124-112 | |
| Nov 30, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 119-109 | |
| Dec 01, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 130-122 | |
| Dec 02, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 116-108 | |
| Dec 06, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 136-109 | |
| Dec 08, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | W 124-104 | |
| Dec 09, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 101-98 | |
| Dec 12, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 120-114 | |
| Dec 16, 1978 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 119-100 | |
| Dec 17, 1978 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 116-110 | |
| Dec 20, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 137-129 | |
| Dec 22, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 123-103 | |
| Dec 26, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 106-102 | |
| Dec 28, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 129-127 | |
| Dec 29, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-92 | |
| Dec 30, 1978 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 112-109 | |
| Jan 02, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | W 114-102 | |
| Jan 05, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | L 104-94 | |
| Jan 06, 1979 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 143-139 | |
| Jan 07, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-112 | |
| Jan 11, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-106 | |
| Jan 13, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 102-99 | |
| Jan 17, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-118 | |
| Jan 18, 1979 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 97-87 | |
| Jan 20, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 116-97 | |
| Jan 24, 1979 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-94 | |
| Jan 26, 1979 | vs. New York Knicks | W 108-107 | |
| Jan 28, 1979 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 117-114 | |
| Jan 31, 1979 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 123-118 | |
| Feb 02, 1979 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 133-108 | |
| Feb 06, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-93 | |
| Feb 09, 1979 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 105-102 | |
| Feb 11, 1979 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 136-101 | |
| Feb 15, 1979 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 119-108 | |
| Feb 16, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-104 | |
| Feb 17, 1979 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 136-112 | |
| Feb 20, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | W 117-107 | |
| Feb 21, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-112 | |
| Feb 23, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 121-112 | |
| Feb 24, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 110-85 | |
| Feb 28, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 103-102 | |
| Mar 02, 1979 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 119-105 | |
| Mar 04, 1979 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 119-94 | |
| Mar 08, 1979 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 132-117 | |
| Mar 11, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 112-111 | |
| Mar 13, 1979 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 124-120 | |
| Mar 14, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | W 126-117 | |
| Mar 16, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 128-122 | |
| Mar 17, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 134-122 | |
| Mar 18, 1979 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 121-117 | |
| Mar 21, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 134-113 | |
| Mar 23, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 126-107 | |
| Mar 25, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 111-95 | |
| Mar 28, 1979 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 112-106 | |
| Mar 30, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-111 | |
| Apr 01, 1979 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 116-105 | |
| Apr 04, 1979 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-95 | |
| Apr 06, 1979 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 118-117 | |
| Apr 07, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 120-116 | |
| Apr 08, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-103 |