The

1995–96 NBA season The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA), though the 50th anniversary was not celebrated until the following season. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 2 in the NBA Fina ...

was the 28th season for the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

in the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

. The Suns had the 21st overall pick in the

1995 NBA draft The 1995 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1995, at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It marked the first NBA draft to be held outside the United States and was the first draft for the two Canadian expansion teams that were added for 1995–96 ...

, and selected shooting guard

Michael Finley Michael Howard Finley (born March 6, 1973) is an American former professional basketball player who is the assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He ...

from the

University of Wisconsin A university () is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly means "community of teachers and scholars". Uni ...

. During the off-season, the team acquired

Hot Rod Williams Hot commonly refers refer to: *Heat, a hot temperature *Pungency, in food, a spicy or hot quality Hot or HOT may also refer to: Places * Hot district, a district of Chiang Mai province, Thailand ** Hot subdistrict, a sub-district of Hot Distri ...

from the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

, and signed free agent Tony Smith. The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the regular season, then lost eight of their next nine games.

Head coach A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...

Paul Westphal Paul Douglas Westphal (November 30, 1950 – January 2, 2021) was an American basketball player and coach. Westphal played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1972 to 1984. Playing the guard position, he won an NBA championship wi ...

, who had led the Suns to the

1993 NBA Finals The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1992–93 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. It featured the two-time defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chi ...

, went 14–19 before being replaced by

Cotton Fitzsimmons Lowell Gibbs "Cotton" Fitzsimmons (October 7, 1931 – July 24, 2004) was an American college and NBA basketball coach. A native of Bowling Green, Missouri, he attended and played basketball at Hannibal-LaGrange Junior College in Hannibal, ...

, who would come in to coach in his third stint with the Suns, while Smith was traded to the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

in exchange for rookie point guard

Terrence Rencher Terrence Lamont Rencher (born February 19, 1973) is an American former professional basketball player. He is an assistant coach for the Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders. Playing career Rencher was a prep star at St. Raymond High School f ...

at mid-season. The team played above .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, as they held a 22–24 record at the All-Star break, finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a 41–41 record, and earned the #7 seed in the Western Conference. All home games were played at the

America West Arena The PHX Arena (formerly America West Arena, US Airways Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix Suns Arena and Footprint Center) is a multi-purpose arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It opened under the name America West Arena on June 6, 1992, at ...

; the Suns were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

during the regular season.

Charles Barkley Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst on NBA on TNT, TNT and CBS Sports. Nicknamed "Sir Charles", "the Bread Truck", and "the Round Mound of Rebound", ...

led the Suns with 23.2

points A point is a small dot or the sharp tip of something. Point or points may refer to: Mathematics * Point (geometry), an entity that has a location in space or on a plane, but has no extent; more generally, an element of some abstract topologica ...

, 11.6

rebounds 'Rebound' is a term used in sports to describe the ball (or puck or other object of play) becoming available for possession by either opponent after an attempt to put the ball or puck into the goal has been unsuccessful. Rebounds are generally ...

and 1.6 steals per game, while Kevin Johnson averaged 18.7 points, led the team with 9.2 assists, and contributed 1.5 steals per game in only 56 games due to hamstring and groin injuries, and Finley provided the team with 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and was named to the

NBA All-Rookie First Team The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches who are not allowed to vote for play ...

. In addition, sixth man

Danny Manning Danny is a masculine given name. It is related to and short for the male name Daniel.🖾🖾 People *Danny Altmann, British immunologist * Danny Antonucci, Canadian animator, director, producer, and writer * Danny Baker (born 1957), English j ...

averaged 13.4 points per game off the bench, but only played just 33 games due to a torn ACL, and sprained ankle, while second-year guard

Wesley Person Wesley Lavon Person (born March 28, 1971) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After his playing career, Person became a women's basketball assistant coach and then the h ...

contributed 12.7 points per game, and led the Suns with 117 three-point field goals, and

Wayman Tisdale Wayman Lawrence Tisdale (June 9, 1964 – May 15, 2009) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma,

contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench. Meanwhile, Elliott Perry provided with 8.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, A.C. Green contributed 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and

averaged 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game. Despite playing all 82 games, Finley suffered an ankle injury on the final day of the regular season, and did not play in any of the Suns'

NBA playoffs The NBA playoffs is the annual Playoffs, postseason Tournament#Knockout tournaments, tournament of the National Basketball Association (NBA) held to determine the league champion. Since 1949, the four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held afte ...

games. Without Finley, the Suns were eliminated from the

1996 NBA playoffs The 1996 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1995–96 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle Supe ...

by the

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

, three games to one in the Western Conference First Round. Barkley also made his tenth consecutive All-Star appearance, being selected for the

1996 NBA All-Star Game The 1996 NBA All-Star Game was the 46th edition of the NBA All-Star Game, an exhibition basketball game played on February 11, 1996. The event was held at the Alamodome in San Antonio and was a part of the 50th season of the NBA. The game was ...

San Antonio, Texas San Antonio ( ; Spanish for "Anthony of Padua, Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the List of Texas metropolitan areas, third-largest metropolitan area in Texa ...

. The

power forward The power forward (PF), also known as the four, is one of the five traditional Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. Traditionally, power forwards have played a role similar to center (basketball), centers and are typi ...

, who had turned 33 years of age during the regular season, made his 11th

All-NBA Team The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The team has been sel ...

, appearing as a selection on the All-NBA Third Team; it was the first time in Barkley's career he had not been selected to the First or Second Team. Barkley also finished tied in twelfth place in

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

voting, while Finley finished tied in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting. Following the season, Barkley was traded to the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

after four seasons in Phoenix, while Perry was dealt to the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

, and Rencher was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

The Suns received the 21st pick from a trade with the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

in 1994. With the pick they would select future All-Star

swingman A swingman is an athlete capable of playing multiple positions in their sport. Basketball In basketball, the term "swingman" (a.k.a. "wing" or "guard-forward") denotes a player who can play both the shooting guard (2) and small forward (3) positi ...

from

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

. Finley averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in four years with the

Badgers Badgers are medium-sized short-legged omnivores in the superfamily Musteloidea. Badgers are a polyphyletic rather than a natural taxonomic grouping, being united by their squat bodies and adaptions for fossorial activity rather than by their ...

. On October 4, the Suns signed Finley to a three-year rookie contract for $2.17 million. In his rookie season, Finley would average 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game, earning

honors. Finley was traded to the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

midway through his sophomore season for All-Star

point guard The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the Basketball positions, five positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position and is usually the shortest player ...

Jason Kidd Jason Frederick Kidd (born March 23, 1973) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the List of current NBA head coaches, head coach for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regar ...

. The Suns used their first-round pick to select

small forward The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is one of the five Basketball position, positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than Power forward (basketball), power forwards and Cent ...

Mario Bennett from

Arizona State Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is one of the largest ...

. Bennett averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Sun Devils. On October 4, the Suns signed Bennett to a three-year rookie contract for $1.66 million. Bennett underwent knee surgery before the season and remained on the injured reserve until March 1. Bennett would appear in just 19 regular season games, starting in 14 due to injuries, and two playoff games before being waived prior to the 1996–97 season. The Suns used their second-round pick to select

shooting guard The shooting guard (SG), also known as the two, two guard or off guard,Shooting guards are 6'3"–6'7"BBC Sports academy URL last accessed 2006-09-09. is one of the five traditional basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game ...

Chris Carr from

Southern Illinois Southern Illinois is a region of the U.S. state of Illinois comprising the southern third of the state, principally south of Interstate 70. Part of downstate Illinois, it is bordered by the two List of U.S. rivers by discharge, most voluminous ri ...

. Carr averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Salukis. On October 2, the Suns signed Carr to a one-year rookie contract for $200,000. Carr appeared in 60 regular season games, starting in ten, and three playoff games. Carr would sign as a free agent with the

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...

after the season.

Roster

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

Game log

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 1 , April 26 , @

San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...

L 98–120
,

(26) ,

(12) , Kevin Johnson (11) ,

Alamodome The Alamodome is a 64,000-seat domed indoor multi-purpose stadium in San Antonio, Texas. It is located on the southeastern fringe of downtown San Antonio. The facility opened on May 15, 1993, having been constructed at a cost of $186 milli ...

16,545 , 0–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 2 , April 28 , @

L 105–110
,

(30) ,

(20) , Kevin Johnson (16) ,

19,507 , 0–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 , May 1 ,

W 94–93
,

(25) ,

(13) , Kevin Johnson (8) ,

19,023 , 1–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 4 , May 3 ,

L 98–116
,

(21) ,

(9) , Kevin Johnson (8) ,

19,023 , 1–3 , -

Awards and honors

Week/Month

* Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played April 1 through April 7. *

was named Player of the Month for February.

All-Star

was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the

All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game that showcases the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or division, bu ...

. It was his tenth consecutive All-Star selection. Barkley finished first in voting among Western Conference players with 1,268,195 votes. * Other Suns players receiving All-Star votes were: A.C. Green (269,175). *

was selected to compete in the

Slam Dunk Contest The NBA Slam Dunk Contest (officially known as the AT&T Slam Dunk) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was conceived of and started by the American Basketball Associat ...

. Finley finished second, losing to champion

Brent Barry Brent Robert Barry (born December 31, 1971), also known by the nickname "Bones", is an American basketball coach, executive, broadcaster and former player. He is the assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NB ...

in the final round. *

was selected to compete for the Western Conference in the Rookie Challenge.

Season

was named to the

All-NBA Third Team The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The team has been sel ...

. Barkley also finished 12th in

MVP MVP most commonly refers to: * Most valuable player, an award, typically for the best performing player in a sport or competition * Minimum viable product, a concept for feature estimating used in business and engineering MVP may also refer to: ...

voting. *

was named to the

. Finley also finished tied in fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.

Injuries/Missed Games

* 10/31/95: Mario Bennett: Knee chondromalacia; placed on injured reserve until March 1 * 10/31/95: John Coker: Foot stress fracture; placed on injured reserve until March 8 * 10/31/95:

: Torn ACL; placed on injured list until February 1 * 11/10/95: Kevin Johnson: Strained knee tendon; out until November 18 * 11/27/95:

: Sore shoulder; did not play * 12/02/95: Kevin Johnson: Sore hamstring; did not play * 12/08/95:

: Flu; did not play * 12/08/95:

Elliot Perry Elliot Lamonte Perry (born March 28, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player. The point guard from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), was selected with the tenth pick of the second round (37th overall) ...

: Bruised lower back; did not play * 12/16/95: Kevin Johnson: Strained groin; out until January 21 * 12/16/95:

Stefano Rusconi Stefano Rusconi (born October 2, 1968) is an Italian former professional basketball player. At a height of tall, he played at the center position. Professional career Rusconi was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the 2nd round (52nd over ...

: Flu; did not play * 12/19/95:

: Sprained knee; out until December 27 * 01/04/96:

: Injured achilles tendon; out until waived on January 31 * 01/09/96:

: Sore toe; out until January 21 * 01/09/96:

: Leg nerve irritation; out until January 28 * 02/08/96: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring, strained groin; out until February 19 * 02/13/96:

: Injured eye; did not play * 03/01/96:

: Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until April 22 * 03/07/96:

: Bruised shoulder; did not play * 03/08/96:

: Strained shoulder; placed on injured list until March 29 * 03/13/96:

: Sprained ankle; out until March 21 * 03/29/96: John Coker: Sore foot, placed on injured list until April 22 * 04/02/96: Mario Bennett: Flu; out until April 10 * 04/07/96:

: Knee tendinitis; out until April 16 * 04/10/96:

: Injured hand, wrist, foot; out until April 19 * 04/14/96:

Joe Kleine Joseph William Kleine (born January 4, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player who played fifteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and for the US national team. He won a gold medal as a member of the Un ...

: Fainting spell; out until April 26 * 04/16/96:

: Strained calf; out until April 26 * 04/21/96: Kevin Johnson: Strained calf; did not play * 04/26/96:

: Sprained ankle; did not play * 04/28/96:

: Sprained ankle; did not play * 05/01/96:

: Sprained ankle; did not play * 05/03/96:

: Sprained ankle; did not play

Player statistics

Season

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
# – Minimum 125 free-throws made.

Playoffs

Player Statistics Citation:

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions

Player Transactions Citation:

References

Standings on Basketball Reference
{{DEFAULTSORT:1995-96 Phoenix Suns season Phoenix Suns seasons