The 1986-87 NBA season was a challenging one for the Phoenix Suns. After a disappointing 1985-86 campaign, the Suns were eager to bounce back. However, the season did not meet expectations, as the team finished with a 36-46 record, placing them fifth in the Pacific Division and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This marked a period of struggle for the franchise, which was looking to regain its footing in the competitive Western Conference.
Under the leadership of head coach John MacLeod, the Suns faced numerous difficulties throughout the season. Injuries and inconsistent play plagued the team, preventing them from establishing any significant momentum. Despite these challenges, the Suns had notable individual performances. Walter Davis, a key player for the team, led the Suns with an average of 23.6 points per game. Meanwhile, Larry Nance contributed significantly with his athletic play, averaging 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
The Suns’ defense struggled, allowing an average of 115.4 points per game, which ranked among the worst in the league. This defensive inefficiency was a critical factor in their inability to secure more wins. Despite the lackluster season, the Suns’ management hoped to build a stronger foundation moving forward by focusing on player development and strategic improvements. The 1986-87 season was a pivotal moment for the Suns as they sought to overhaul their roster and strategy in pursuit of future success.
- Regular Season Record: 36-46
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats for 1986-87 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Walter Davis | 79 | 23.6 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 25.9 | |||||||
| Larry Nance | 69 | 22.5 | 8.7 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 20.0 | |||||||
| James Edwards | 14 | 12.0 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jay Humphries | 82 | 11.3 | 3.2 | 7.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 18.5 | |||||||
| Alvan Adams | 68 | 11.1 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Sanders | 82 | 10.5 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 11.8 | |||||||
| Ed Pinckney | 80 | 10.5 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | |||||||
| William Bedford | 50 | 6.7 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Rafael Addison | 62 | 5.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 31.4 | |||||||
| Grant Gondrezick | 64 | 5.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 23.5 | |||||||
| Jeff Hornacek | 80 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 27.9 | |||||||
| Kenny Gattison | 77 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bernard Thompson | 24 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Nick Vanos | 57 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
Phoenix Suns 1986-87 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1986-87 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 127-123 | |
| Nov 01, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 117-111 | |
| Nov 04, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 126-120 | |
| Nov 07, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 106-86 | |
| Nov 08, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-96 | |
| Nov 11, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | L 111-105 | |
| Nov 12, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 108-100 | |
| Nov 14, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 127-97 | |
| Nov 15, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 116-109 | |
| Nov 19, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-101 | |
| Nov 21, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 130-122 | |
| Nov 22, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 132-120 | |
| Nov 25, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 123-102 | |
| Nov 26, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 120-106 | |
| Nov 28, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-104 | |
| Dec 02, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 124-100 | |
| Dec 05, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 114-112 | |
| Dec 06, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 111-109 | |
| Dec 09, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 109-94 | |
| Dec 10, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 117-109 | |
| Dec 12, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 128-116 | |
| Dec 13, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 123-110 | |
| Dec 16, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | W 106-102 | |
| Dec 17, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 94-81 | |
| Dec 19, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-106 | |
| Dec 20, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 122-114 | |
| Dec 23, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 120-119 | |
| Dec 26, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 122-112 | |
| Dec 27, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 123-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 120-105 | |
| Jan 02, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 155-118 | |
| Jan 04, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 104-101 | |
| Jan 06, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 138-108 | |
| Jan 09, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 115-100 | |
| Jan 10, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 127-120 | |
| Jan 13, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | L 118-100 | |
| Jan 15, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 123-107 | |
| Jan 17, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 132-101 | |
| Jan 19, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-104 | |
| Jan 21, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 120-114 | |
| Jan 23, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | L 109-90 | |
| Jan 24, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 104-103 | |
| Jan 26, 1987 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 120-118 | |
| Jan 28, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 131-104 | |
| Jan 30, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-102 | |
| Jan 31, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-112 | |
| Feb 03, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 117-103 | |
| Feb 05, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 113-100 | |
| Feb 10, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | W 102-98 | |
| Feb 11, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 121-105 | |
| Feb 13, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 105-98 | |
| Feb 16, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 124-110 | |
| Feb 19, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 124-108 | |
| Feb 21, 1987 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 115-107 | |
| Feb 24, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 97-93 | |
| Feb 25, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 99-91 | |
| Feb 28, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-105 | |
| Mar 02, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 135-112 | |
| Mar 05, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 126-102 | |
| Mar 07, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 105-102 | |
| Mar 09, 1987 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-110 | |
| Mar 11, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 118-109 | |
| Mar 12, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 116-109 | |
| Mar 14, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 121-108 | |
| Mar 18, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 113-91 | |
| Mar 20, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 134-105 | |
| Mar 21, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 105-102 | |
| Mar 24, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 108-93 | |
| Mar 26, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 124-115 | |
| Mar 27, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 130-117 | |
| Mar 31, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 110-95 | |
| Apr 01, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 117-104 | |
| Apr 03, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 112-98 | |
| Apr 04, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 128-123 | |
| Apr 06, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 118-110 | |
| Apr 07, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 127-125 | |
| Apr 09, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 128-122 | |
| Apr 11, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 136-116 | |
| Apr 12, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-104 | |
| Apr 14, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 132-123 | |
| Apr 15, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 119-116 | |
| Apr 18, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-106 |