The 1988-89 Phoenix Suns season marked a significant turnaround for the franchise. The team finished with a 55-27 record, a remarkable improvement from their previous 28-54 season. This was largely due to the influence of new head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons and the acquisition of key players. The Suns made significant roster changes, including trading for Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and Tyrone Corbin from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Larry Nance, Mike Sanders, and a draft pick.
Kevin Johnson emerged as a star, averaging 20.4 points and 12.2 assists per game, earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. Tom Chambers, acquired as a free agent, provided a scoring punch, averaging 25.7 points per game. The Suns also benefited from the contributions of Jeff Hornacek and Eddie Johnson, who added depth and scoring prowess.
In the playoffs, the Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round, sweeping the series 3-0. They continued their strong performance by upsetting the Golden State Warriors 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals. However, their run ended in the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns were eliminated in a 4-0 sweep, but their season was still considered a significant success.
The 1988-89 season was a pivotal year for the Phoenix Suns, setting the foundation for future successes and establishing the team as a competitive force in the NBA. Their dramatic improvement and playoff performance revitalized the franchise and its fanbase.
- Regular Season Record: 55-27
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 0-4
Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats for 1988-89 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Tom Chambers | 81 | 25.7 | 8.4 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 32.6 | 12 | 26.0 | 10.9 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 40.9 |
| Eddie Johnson | 70 | 21.5 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 41.3 | 12 | 17.8 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 34.2 |
| Kevin Johnson | 81 | 20.4 | 4.2 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 9.1 | 12 | 23.8 | 4.3 | 12.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 30.0 |
| Armen Gilliam | 74 | 15.9 | 7.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 9 | 8.1 | 5.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Jeff Hornacek | 78 | 13.5 | 3.4 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 12 | 14.1 | 5.8 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Dan Majerle | 54 | 8.6 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 32.9 | 12 | 14.3 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 28.6 |
| Tyrone Corbin | 77 | 8.2 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 9.1 | 7.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Mark West | 82 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 12 | 6.2 | 4.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| Tim Perry | 62 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 25.0 | 4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Craig Hodges | 10 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Andrew Lang | 62 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Kerr | 26 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 47.1 | |||||||
| Mark Davis | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| T.R. Dunn | 34 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ed Nealy | 30 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Gattison | 2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Winston Crite | 2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Phoenix Suns in the 1989 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the first round of the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced off against the Denver Nuggets in a best-of-five series. The Suns, led by Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson, displayed their offensive prowess, sweeping the Nuggets 3-0. Phoenix's dynamic play and depth were on full display, setting the stage for a promising postseason run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-103 | |
| Apr 30, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 132-114 | |
| May 02, 1989 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 130-121 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Golden State Warriors
In the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns showcased an impressive performance in the second round by sweeping the Golden State Warriors in a 4-0 series victory. Led by the dynamic duo of Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers, the Suns' fast-paced offense and cohesive team play overwhelmed the Warriors, propelling Phoenix into the Western Conference Finals. This dominant display highlighted the Suns' potential as a formidable contender in the league during that era.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 130-103 | |
| May 09, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 127-122 | |
| May 11, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 113-104 | |
| May 13, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 135-99 | |
| May 16, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 116-104 |
1989 Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns made an impressive run to the Western Conference Finals, showcasing their resilience and talent. Led by Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers, the Suns upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals, but ultimately fell to the Seattle SuperSonics in four games. Their unexpected performance that season set the stage for Phoenix's emergence as a formidable force in the Western Conference during the early 1990s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 127-119 | |
| May 23, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-95 | |
| May 26, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 110-107 | |
| May 28, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 122-117 |
Phoenix Suns 1988-89 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1988-89 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 120-105 | |
| Nov 05, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 117-104 | |
| Nov 09, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 111-103 | |
| Nov 11, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 141-103 | |
| Nov 12, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 138-127 | |
| Nov 15, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 119-89 | |
| Nov 16, 1988 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 123-104 | |
| Nov 18, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 121-105 | |
| Nov 19, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | L 134-121 | |
| Nov 23, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 133-129 | |
| Nov 25, 1988 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-105 | |
| Nov 26, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 117-104 | |
| Nov 29, 1988 | @ Houston Rockets | W 124-107 | |
| Dec 02, 1988 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 110-95 | |
| Dec 03, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 114-106 | |
| Dec 06, 1988 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 130-92 | |
| Dec 07, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 125-111 | |
| Dec 09, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 110-105 | |
| Dec 13, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 126-116 | |
| Dec 16, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 132-125 | |
| Dec 17, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-97 | |
| Dec 20, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 128-110 | |
| Dec 22, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 126-118 | |
| Dec 23, 1988 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 119-107 | |
| Dec 26, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-96 | |
| Dec 28, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-100 | |
| Dec 30, 1988 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 116-109 | |
| Jan 02, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | W 125-122 | |
| Jan 04, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | W 106-104 | |
| Jan 06, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 120-111 | |
| Jan 07, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 107-99 | |
| Jan 09, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 130-124 | |
| Jan 11, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 124-121 | |
| Jan 13, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 111-90 | |
| Jan 16, 1989 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 126-110 | |
| Jan 19, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 126-112 | |
| Jan 21, 1989 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 116-107 | |
| Jan 24, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 106-103 | |
| Jan 27, 1989 | vs. New York Knicks | W 132-130 | |
| Jan 28, 1989 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 142-138 | |
| Jan 30, 1989 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 126-100 | |
| Feb 01, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-97 | |
| Feb 03, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 121-117 | |
| Feb 04, 1989 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 118-116 | |
| Feb 06, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 104-87 | |
| Feb 09, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 120-113 | |
| Feb 15, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 135-112 | |
| Feb 17, 1989 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 135-126 | |
| Feb 18, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 120-101 | |
| Feb 20, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-92 | |
| Feb 21, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 139-121 | |
| Feb 24, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-95 | |
| Feb 26, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 134-122 | |
| Feb 28, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 139-134 | |
| Mar 02, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 110-90 | |
| Mar 04, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 133-91 | |
| Mar 06, 1989 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-106 | |
| Mar 07, 1989 | @ New York Knicks | L 124-119 | |
| Mar 10, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 121-116 | |
| Mar 11, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-93 | |
| Mar 13, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 112-104 | |
| Mar 14, 1989 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 114-112 | |
| Mar 17, 1989 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 129-124 | |
| Mar 18, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-104 | |
| Mar 20, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 115-97 | |
| Mar 22, 1989 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 112-111 | |
| Mar 23, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 154-124 | |
| Mar 25, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-103 | |
| Mar 26, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-116 | |
| Mar 28, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 127-104 | |
| Mar 30, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 135-123 | |
| Mar 31, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 122-104 | |
| Apr 05, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 114-104 | |
| Apr 06, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 126-119 | |
| Apr 08, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 115-97 | |
| Apr 12, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 109-94 | |
| Apr 13, 1989 | @ Houston Rockets | W 119-111 | |
| Apr 15, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 137-91 | |
| Apr 17, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 140-85 | |
| Apr 19, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 117-91 | |
| Apr 21, 1989 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 112-101 | |
| Apr 22, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 121-111 |