The 1982-83 Phoenix Suns season was a challenging one for the team, characterized by a mix of struggle and transition. The Suns finished the regular season with a record of 53 wins and 29 losses, placing them in third position in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. This performance secured them a spot in the playoffs, continuing their streak of postseason appearances.
Under the leadership of head coach John MacLeod, the team had several standout players, including Walter Davis, who was a key contributor with his scoring prowess, and Alvan Adams, who provided stability in the frontcourt. The Suns’ roster also featured Dennis Johnson, who was known for his defensive skills and clutch performances.
In the playoffs, the Suns faced off against the Denver Nuggets in the first round. They won the series 2-1, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals. However, their playoff journey ended when they encountered the Los Angeles Lakers, a formidable opponent led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Suns were swept in four games, losing the series 4-0.
The 1982-83 season highlighted the Suns’ consistency in making the playoffs, but also underscored the challenges they faced in progressing further against stronger teams. Despite the early playoff exit, the season laid the groundwork for future adjustments and improvements. The Suns’ management and coaching staff would look to bolster the roster in the coming years to enhance their competitiveness in the Western Conference.
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-2
Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats for 1982-83 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Walter Davis | 80 | 19.0 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 30.4 | 3 | 26.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 50.0 |
| Larry Nance | 82 | 16.7 | 8.7 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 33.3 | 3 | 12.0 | 8.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Maurice Lucas | 77 | 16.5 | 10.4 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 50.0 | 2 | 13.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Johnson | 77 | 14.2 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 16.7 | 3 | 18.0 | 7.7 | 5.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Alvan Adams | 80 | 14.2 | 6.8 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 33.3 | 3 | 11.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Kyle Macy | 82 | 9.8 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 31.5 | 3 | 11.7 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| James Edwards | 16 | 8.8 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 9.3 | 6.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Rory White | 65 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Alvin Scott | 81 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| David Thirdkill | 49 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 14.3 | |||||||
| Jeff Cook | 45 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Johnny High | 82 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 20.0 | 3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Charles Pittman | 28 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Joel Kramer | 54 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Phoenix Suns in the 1983 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 1983 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Suns, led by Walter Davis and Larry Nance, showcased their resilience by overcoming the Nuggets in a thrilling three-game series, winning 2-1. This victory highlighted the Suns' competitive spirit and ability to perform under pressure, setting a strong precedent for their postseason aspirations.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 121-108 | |
| Apr 21, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-99 | |
| Apr 24, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 117-112 |
Phoenix Suns 1982-83 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1982-83 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 113-99 | |
| Oct 31, 1982 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 114-110 | |
| Nov 02, 1982 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 92-87 | |
| Nov 04, 1982 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 119-104 | |
| Nov 06, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 112-100 | |
| Nov 07, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 101-100 | |
| Nov 09, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | W 119-91 | |
| Nov 10, 1982 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 106-100 | |
| Nov 12, 1982 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-81 | |
| Nov 14, 1982 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-94 | |
| Nov 16, 1982 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-105 | |
| Nov 18, 1982 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 118-107 | |
| Nov 20, 1982 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 91-80 | |
| Nov 24, 1982 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 106-93 | |
| Nov 26, 1982 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-99 | |
| Nov 27, 1982 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 105-99 | |
| Nov 30, 1982 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 110-98 | |
| Dec 02, 1982 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-108 | |
| Dec 04, 1982 | vs. San Diego Clippers | L 113-103 | |
| Dec 08, 1982 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 89-86 | |
| Dec 10, 1982 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 97-83 | |
| Dec 12, 1982 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 14, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-109 | |
| Dec 16, 1982 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 98-94 | |
| Dec 18, 1982 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 126-100 | |
| Dec 21, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 114-113 | |
| Dec 23, 1982 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 125-106 | |
| Dec 25, 1982 | @ Utah Jazz | W 111-101 | |
| Dec 26, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 88-87 | |
| Dec 28, 1982 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-94 | |
| Dec 30, 1982 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 115-98 | |
| Jan 01, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 127-125 | |
| Jan 02, 1983 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-99 | |
| Jan 04, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | W 97-85 | |
| Jan 06, 1983 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 94-93 | |
| Jan 07, 1983 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 108-101 | |
| Jan 09, 1983 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-96 | |
| Jan 11, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 109-96 | |
| Jan 13, 1983 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-99 | |
| Jan 15, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 114-101 | |
| Jan 19, 1983 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 118-113 | |
| Jan 21, 1983 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 118-117 | |
| Jan 23, 1983 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 102-92 | |
| Jan 25, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 96-94 | |
| Jan 26, 1983 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 113-102 | |
| Jan 28, 1983 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-104 | |
| Jan 29, 1983 | @ Washington Bullets | L 88-82 | |
| Feb 02, 1983 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 112-96 | |
| Feb 04, 1983 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 115-99 | |
| Feb 06, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 109-92 | |
| Feb 08, 1983 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 112-100 | |
| Feb 10, 1983 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 101-100 | |
| Feb 16, 1983 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 111-102 | |
| Feb 19, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 112-101 | |
| Feb 20, 1983 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-81 | |
| Feb 22, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-105 | |
| Feb 24, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | W 110-103 | |
| Feb 25, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 26, 1983 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 103-101 | |
| Mar 02, 1983 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 110-106 | |
| Mar 04, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 109-102 | |
| Mar 08, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-99 | |
| Mar 09, 1983 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 108-105 | |
| Mar 12, 1983 | @ Houston Rockets | W 105-94 | |
| Mar 15, 1983 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 116-108 | |
| Mar 16, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-95 | |
| Mar 17, 1983 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 125-99 | |
| Mar 19, 1983 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 115-112 | |
| Mar 22, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 130-117 | |
| Mar 24, 1983 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 112-95 | |
| Mar 26, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 124-110 | |
| Mar 29, 1983 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 115-107 | |
| Mar 31, 1983 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-89 | |
| Apr 02, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-108 | |
| Apr 05, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 126-106 | |
| Apr 07, 1983 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-108 | |
| Apr 08, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-98 | |
| Apr 10, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 101-95 | |
| Apr 12, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 115-108 | |
| Apr 13, 1983 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-96 | |
| Apr 15, 1983 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 113-101 | |
| Apr 17, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 110-101 |