The 1983-84 Phoenix Suns season was a challenging campaign for the franchise. Under the guidance of head coach John MacLeod, the Suns ended the regular season with a 41-41 record. This performance placed them fifth in the Pacific Division, which, unfortunately, was not enough to secure a playoff spot that year. The Suns struggled to find consistency throughout the season, which was reflected in their even win-loss record.
Key players for the Suns included Walter Davis, who was a standout performer and the team’s leading scorer. However, the team faced difficulties in maintaining a strong defensive presence, which contributed to their inability to climb higher in the standings. Injuries also played a role, impacting the Suns’ ability to build momentum during critical stretches of the season.
Despite their struggles, the Suns managed to compete in a highly competitive Western Conference, which featured several dominant teams. The 1983-84 season was a period of transition for Phoenix, as they sought to rebuild and retool their roster in hopes of achieving more success in the subsequent seasons. The Suns’ management focused on identifying areas of improvement and investing in young talent, laying the groundwork for future competitiveness in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 41-41
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-2, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Western Conference Finals: 2-4
Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats for 1983-84 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Walter Davis | 78 | 20.0 | 2.6 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 23.3 | 17 | 24.9 | 2.7 | 6.4 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 27.3 |
| Larry Nance | 82 | 17.7 | 8.3 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 17 | 16.9 | 8.7 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Maurice Lucas | 75 | 15.9 | 9.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 17 | 17.4 | 9.9 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| James Edwards | 72 | 14.7 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 17 | 13.8 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Kyle Macy | 82 | 10.1 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 32.4 | 17 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 45.5 |
| Alvan Adams | 70 | 9.6 | 4.6 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 17 | 8.4 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Rod Foster | 80 | 8.3 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 26.2 | 16 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Rory White | 22 | 7.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Paul Westphal | 59 | 7.0 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 28.0 | 17 | 5.3 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 22.2 |
| Rick Robey | 61 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 100.0 | 10 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Charles Pittman | 69 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 17 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Mike Sanders | 50 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Alvin Scott | 65 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 50.0 | 16 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0 |
| Johnny High | 29 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
Phoenix Suns in the 1984 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced the Utah Jazz in the first round. The series was a competitive showdown, with the Suns ultimately emerging victorious in a closely contested five-game series. Key performances from players like Walter Davis and Maurice Lucas helped Phoenix advance, showcasing their resilience and depth against a formidable Jazz squad.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-106 | |
| Apr 20, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 122-116 | |
| Apr 22, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-103 | |
| Apr 24, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 113-110 | |
| Apr 26, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 117-105 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semifinals, a tightly-contested series that went the full seven games. Despite the Suns' strong efforts, they ultimately lost to the Jazz, who were powered by the dynamic duo of Adrian Dantley and Darrell Griffith. This hard-fought series underscored the Suns' tenacity and set the stage for their future playoff endeavors.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | L 105-95 | |
| May 02, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | W 102-97 | |
| May 04, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-94 | |
| May 06, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 111-110 | |
| May 08, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-106 | |
| May 10, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 102-82 |
1984 Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns reached the Western Conference Finals, showcasing a resilient and dynamic team led by Walter Davis and Maurice Lucas. Despite their efforts, they faced a formidable Los Angeles Lakers squad, losing the series in six games. The Suns' run highlighted their competitive spirit and set the stage for future postseason appearances.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 110-94 | |
| May 15, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-102 | |
| May 18, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 135-127 | |
| May 20, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 126-115 | |
| May 23, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 126-121 | |
| May 25, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 99-97 |
Phoenix Suns 1983-84 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1983-84 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-103 | |
| Nov 01, 1983 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-93 | |
| Nov 03, 1983 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 142-120 | |
| Nov 06, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 122-96 | |
| Nov 08, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-116 | |
| Nov 10, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 104-99 | |
| Nov 11, 1983 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-105 | |
| Nov 13, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 113-98 | |
| Nov 16, 1983 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 115-104 | |
| Nov 18, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 109-94 | |
| Nov 19, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 116-107 | |
| Nov 22, 1983 | @ Houston Rockets | L 118-96 | |
| Nov 23, 1983 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 110-108 | |
| Nov 25, 1983 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 120-94 | |
| Nov 26, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 107-104 | |
| Nov 29, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | L 114-110 | |
| Nov 30, 1983 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 120-118 | |
| Dec 02, 1983 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 116-113 | |
| Dec 04, 1983 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 122-106 | |
| Dec 06, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 95-88 | |
| Dec 08, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-97 | |
| Dec 10, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 109-93 | |
| Dec 13, 1983 | @ Houston Rockets | L 129-110 | |
| Dec 15, 1983 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-104 | |
| Dec 17, 1983 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 119-99 | |
| Dec 20, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 109-105 | |
| Dec 21, 1983 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-112 | |
| Dec 23, 1983 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 121-115 | |
| Dec 26, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 140-133 | |
| Dec 28, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 128-105 | |
| Dec 30, 1983 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 121-110 | |
| Jan 03, 1984 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-97 | |
| Jan 04, 1984 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 128-114 | |
| Jan 06, 1984 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-88 | |
| Jan 07, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 100-98 | |
| Jan 10, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-98 | |
| Jan 11, 1984 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 129-104 | |
| Jan 13, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-99 | |
| Jan 15, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 110-101 | |
| Jan 19, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 138-123 | |
| Jan 21, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 131-102 | |
| Jan 24, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-110 | |
| Jan 26, 1984 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 119-101 | |
| Feb 01, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 109-106 | |
| Feb 02, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | L 116-95 | |
| Feb 04, 1984 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 107-104 | |
| Feb 05, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 97-82 | |
| Feb 07, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 138-131 | |
| Feb 09, 1984 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 118-105 | |
| Feb 11, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 108-89 | |
| Feb 14, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 92-83 | |
| Feb 15, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 104-90 | |
| Feb 17, 1984 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 129-123 | |
| Feb 18, 1984 | @ Houston Rockets | W 126-102 | |
| Feb 21, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 114-111 | |
| Feb 23, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 107-95 | |
| Feb 24, 1984 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 117-100 | |
| Feb 26, 1984 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 116-109 | |
| Feb 28, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 113-100 | |
| Feb 29, 1984 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 102-95 | |
| Mar 01, 1984 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-100 | |
| Mar 03, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 120-106 | |
| Mar 07, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 123-110 | |
| Mar 09, 1984 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 130-110 | |
| Mar 11, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-109 | |
| Mar 13, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 117-96 | |
| Mar 14, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-102 | |
| Mar 16, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | W 110-109 | |
| Mar 17, 1984 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 131-112 | |
| Mar 20, 1984 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 146-120 | |
| Mar 21, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-102 | |
| Mar 23, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 124-98 | |
| Mar 24, 1984 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 120-109 | |
| Mar 27, 1984 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 116-109 | |
| Mar 29, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 124-119 | |
| Mar 31, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-97 | |
| Apr 03, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 113-109 | |
| Apr 06, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-108 | |
| Apr 08, 1984 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 126-121 | |
| Apr 10, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 100-88 | |
| Apr 12, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 119-118 | |
| Apr 15, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 123-114 |