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1976–77 Phoenix Suns season

{{Short description|Professional basketball season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2011}}

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Phoenix Suns

| end_year = 1977

| wins = 34

| losses = 48

| division = Pacific

| division_place = 5

| conf_place = 10

| coach = John MacLeod

| gm = Jerry Colangelo

| owners = Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch

| arena = Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| bbr_team = PHO

| television = KTAR-TV

| radio = KTAR

}}

The 1976–77 Phoenix Suns season was the ninth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With injuries limiting the team to only six games with a full roster, the Suns plummeted to the bottom of the Pacific division standings, missing the playoffs after appearing in the Finals just one season prior.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/suns/history/00531601.html |title=SUNS: 1976–77 |publisher=nba.com/history |access-date=2012-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210024948/http://www.nba.com/suns/history/00531601.html |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }} The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Offseason

=NBA draft=

{{main|1976 NBA draft}}

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%"| Round

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%"| Pick

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="20%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%"| Position

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%"| Nationality

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Suns}}" width="20%"| College

style="text-align: center"

| 1

| 10

| Ron Lee

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Oregon

style="text-align: center"

| 2

| 30

| Al Fleming

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Arizona

style="text-align: center"

| 2

| 33

| Raymond "Butch" Feher

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Vanderbilt

style="text-align: center"

| 3

| 45

| Ira Terrell

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Southern Methodist

style="text-align: center"

| 4

| 62

| Paul Miller

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Oregon

style="text-align: center"

| 5

| 79

| Ralph Walker

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Saint Mary's (CA)

style="text-align: center"

| 6

| 97

| Carl Brown

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Eastern Kentucky

style="text-align: center"

| 7

| 115

| Brad Warble

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Eastern Illinois

style="text-align: center"

| 8

| 133

| Tom DeBerry

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Northern Arizona

style="text-align: center"

| 9

| 150

| John Irving

| Center

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Hofstra

style="text-align: center"

| 10

| 166

| Gary Jackson

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Arizona State

Roster

{{NBA roster header|team=Phoenix Suns|season=1976–77

| bg1 = #702F8B | color1 = #FFFFFF

| bg2 = #FB4417 | color2 = #702F8B

}}

{{ player2 | num = 33 | first = Alvan | last = Adams | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1954-07-19 | college = Oklahoma }}

{{ player2 | num = 21 | first = Dennis | last = Awtrey | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 235 | DOB = 1948-02-22 | college = Santa Clara | inj = yes }}

{{ player2 | num = 14 | first = Keith | last = Erickson | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 195 | DOB = 1944-04-19 | college = UCLA }}

{{ player2 | num = 7 | first = Butch | last = Feher | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1954-05-19 | college = Vanderbilt }}

{{ player2 | num = 24 | first = Garfield | last = Heard | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 219 | DOB = 1948-05-03 | college = Oklahoma | inj = yes }}

{{ player2 | num = 30 | first = Ron | last = Lee | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 193 | DOB = 1952-11-02 | college = Oregon }}

{{ player2 | num = 18 | first = Curtis | last = Perry | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 220 | DOB = 1948-09-13 | college = Missouri State | inj = yes }}

{{ player2 | num = 54 | first = Dale | last = Schlueter | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1945-11-12 | college = Colorado State }}

{{ player2 | num = 40 | first = Ricky | last = Sobers | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 198 | DOB = 1953-01-15 | college = UNLV }}

{{ player2 | num = 32 | first = Ira | last = Terrell | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 200 | DOB = 1954-06-19 | college = Southern Methodist }}

{{ player2 | num = 5 | first = Dick | last = Van Arsdale | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1943-02-22 | college = Indiana }}

{{ player2 | num = 4 | first = Tom | last = Van Arsdale | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 202 | DOB = 1943-02-22 | college = Indiana }}

{{ player2 | num = 44 | first = Paul | last = Westphal | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 195 | DOB = 1950-11-30 | college = USC }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

| ath_train =

}}

Regular season

=Standings=

{{1976–77 NBA Pacific standings|team=PHO}}

{{1976–77 NBA West standings|team=PHO}}

=Record vs. opponents=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
colspan=23|1976–77 NBA records
width=100|Team

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|ATL

!style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|BOS

!style="background:#000000;color:#F15110;width=35"|BUF

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#000000;width=35"|CHI

!style="background:#FFD700;color:#8B0000;width=35"|CLE

!style="background:#0000CD;color:#FFD700;width=35"|DEN

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF0000;width=35"|DET

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFD700;width=35"|GSW

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFD700;width=35"|HOU

!style="background:#000080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|IND

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|KCK

!style="background:#800080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|LAL

!style="background:#006400;color:#B22222;width=35"|MIL

!style="background:#36004A;color:#FFFF00;width=35"|NOJ

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|NYK

!style="background:#B0170C;color:#00056D;width=35"|NYN

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#0000FF;width=35"|PHI

!style="background:#800080;color:#FF4500;width=35"|PHO

!style="background:#000000;color:#FF0000;width=35"|POR

!style="background:#000000;color:#C0C0C0;width=35"|SAS

!style="background:#005831;color:#FFC322;width=35"|SEA

!style="background:#DC143C;color:#0000CD;width=35"|WAS

style="text-align:left;" | Atlanta—0–44–02–22–22–20–40–41–30–41–22–22–21–31–33–11–30–43–14–01–21–3
style="text-align:left;" | Boston4–0—3–12–21–33–12–21–32–21–23–12–13–12–22–23–11–32–21–34–02–20–4
style="text-align:left;" | Buffalo0–41–3—1–32–22–23–10–31–31–30–31–33–13–11–32–22–23–11–30–43–10–4
style="text-align:left;" | Chicago2–22–23–1—3–11–32–22–21–32–22–23–13–14–02–22–12–22–20–43–12–21–2
style="text-align:left;" | Cleveland2–23–12–21–3—2–21–32–21–32–13–12–24–02–22–23–11–32–12–22–23–11–3
style="text-align:left;" | Denver2–21–32–23–12–2—3–12–23–03–13–12–23–13–12–23–11–33–12–21–24–02–2
style="text-align:left;" | Detroit4–02–21–32–23–11–3—3–12–22–24–01–33–13–11–23–12–22–22–21–21–31–3
style="text-align:left;" | Golden State4–03–13–02–22–22–21–3—2–14–01–32–21–31–31–33–13–14–01–32–21–33–1
style="text-align:left;" | Houston3–12–23–13–13–10–32–21–2—4–02–22–23–12–22–22–21–33–13–12–23–13–1
style="text-align:left;" | Indiana4–02–13–12–21–21–32–20–40–4—2–21–32–22–22–24–02–22–20–42–22–20–4
style="text-align:left;" | Kansas City2–11–33–02–21–31–30–43–12–22–2—1–32–22–24–04–01–33–12–21–31–32–2
style="text-align:left;" | Los Angeles2–21–23–11–32–22–23–12–22–23–13–1—3–13–01–34–02–23–13–13–13–14–0
style="text-align:left;" | Milwaukee2–21–31–31–30–41–31–33–11–32–22–21–3—1–21–33–11–21–32–23–11–31–3
style="text-align:left;" | New Orleans3–12–21–30–42–21–31–33–12–22–22–20–32–1—3–12–20–43–12–21–31–32–2
style="text-align:left;" | N.Y. Knicks3–12–23–12–22–22–22–13–12–22–20–43–13–11–3—2–21–32–21–31–31–22–2
style="text-align:left;" | N.Y. Nets1–31–32–21–21–31–31–31–32–20–40–40–41–32–22–2—1–32–20–31–31–31–3
style="text-align:left;" | Philadelphia3–13–12–22–23–13–12–21–33–12–23–12–22–14–03–13–1—1–22–21–32–23–1
style="text-align:left;" | Phoenix4–02–21–32–21–21–32–20–41–32–21–31–33–11–32–22–22–1—1–31–33–11–3
style="text-align:left;" | Portland1–33–13–14–02–22–22–23–11–34–02–21–32–22–23–13–02–23–1—2–23–11–2
style="text-align:left;" | San Antonio0–40–44–01–32–22–12–12–22–22–23–11–31–33–13–13–13–13–12–2—3–12–2
style="text-align:left;" | Seattle2–12–21–32–21–30–43–13–11–32–23–11–33–13–12–13–12–21–31–31–3—3–1
style="text-align:left;" | Washington3–14–04–02–13–12–23–11–31–34–02–20–43–12–22–23–11–33–12–12–21–3—

=Game log=

{{NBA game log start|Phoenix Suns|end_year=1977|bgcolor=#423189|color=#FF8800

| home_wins = 26

| home_losses = 15

| road_wins = 8

| road_losses = 33}}

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|October|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|first=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 0

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 4

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 1

| October 22

| @ New Orleans

| L 98–111

| Alvan Adams (29)

| Louisiana Superdome
12,234

| 0–1

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 2

| October 23

| @ Houston

| L 126–129

| Alvan Adams (29)

| The Summit
6,385

| 0–2

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 3

| October 27

| @ San Antonio

| L 106–115

| Alvan Adams (24)

| HemisFair Arena
8,919

| 0–3

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 4

| October 29

| @ Chicago

| W 95–82

| Gar Heard (23)

| Chicago Stadium
9,318

| 1–3

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 5

| October 30

| @ Denver

| L 107–113

| Gar Heard (28)

| McNichols Sports Arena
17,608

| 1–4

| L 1

|-

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|November|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 5

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 3

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 6

| November 5

| @ Seattle

| L 84–88

| Ricky Sobers (18)

| Seattle Center Coliseum
11,902

| 1–5

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 7

| November 11

| Indiana

| W 108–98

| Ricky Sobers,
Paul Westphal (18)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,152

| 2–5

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 8

| November 13

| Cleveland

| L 90–103

| Ricky Sobers (20)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,671

| 2–6

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 9

| November 17

| Milwaukee

| W 103–95

| Dick Van Arsdale (19)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,017

| 3–6

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 10

| November 18

| @ Golden State

| L 111–131

| Ricky Sobers (19)

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,965

| 3–7

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 11

| November 19

| N.Y. Nets

| L 88–90

| Paul Westphal (17)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,506

| 3–8

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 12

| November 21

| Chicago

| W 101–96

| Paul Westphal (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,589

| 4–8

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 13

| November 25

| Washington

| W 104–98

| Paul Westphal (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,614

| 5–8

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 14

| November 27

| Seattle

| W 119–107

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,553

| 6–8

| W 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 15

| November 30

| @ Indiana

| L 97–103

| Paul Westphal (27)

| Market Square Arena
8,581

| 6–9

| L 1

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|December|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 5

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 5

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 16

| December 1

| @ N.Y. Nets

| W 106–96

| Paul Westphal (23)

| Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
5,103

| 7–9

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 17

| December 3

| Portland

| L 99–113

| Ricky Sobers (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,339

| 7–10

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 18

| December 5

| San Antonio

| W 103–98 (OT)

| Paul Westphal (27)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,235

| 8–10

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 19

| December 8

| Houston

| W 116–95

| Paul Westphal (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,117

| 9–10

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 20

| December 10

| @ Boston

| W 107–103

| Ricky Sobers (25)

| Boston Garden
12,878

| 10–10

| W 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 21

| December 11

| @ N.Y. Knicks

| L 96–112

| Alvan Adams (17)

| Madison Square Garden
15,263

| 10–11

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 22

| December 12

| @ Atlanta

| W 106–91

| Paul Westphal (28)

| Omni Coliseum
2,507

| 11–11

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 23

| December 14

| @ Buffalo

| L 99–108

| Ricky Sobers (23)

| Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,132

| 11–12

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 24

| December 15

| @ Philadelphia

| L 87–87

| Alvan Adams (27)

| The Spectrum
11,363

| 11–13

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 25

| December 17

| @ Los Angeles

| L 105–118

| Ricky Sobers,
Paul Westphal (25)

| The Forum
9,816

| 11–14

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 26

| December 18

| Kansas City

| L 90–89

| Ricky Sobers (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,482

| 11–15

| L 4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 27

| December 23

| Buffalo

| W 107–92

| Ricky Sobers (28)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,834

| 12–15

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 28

| December 25

| Los Angeles

| W 113–96

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 13–15

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 29

| December 28

| @ Denver

| L 102–110

| Paul Westphal (27)

| McNichols Sports Arena
17,595

| 13–16

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 30

| December 29

| Boston

| W 97–87

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 14–16

| W 1

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|January|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 7

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 8

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 31

| January 2

| @ Kansas City

| L 88–89

| Paul Westphal (20)

| Omaha Civic Auditorium
4,226

| 14–17

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 32

| January 4

| @ Milwaukee

| L 111–139

| Curtis Perry,
Ira Terrell (20)

| MECCA Arena
8,871

| 14–18

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 33

| January 5

| @ Detroit

| L 115–118

| Alvan Adams (24)

| Cobo Arena
6,249

| 14–19

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 34

| January 7

| @ Washington

| L 89–99

| Paul Westphal (15)

| Capital Centre
6,072

| 14–20

| L 4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 35

| January 8

| @ N.Y. Knicks

| L 95–102

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Madison Square Garden
18,589

| 14–21

| L 5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 36

| January 10

| @ Atlanta

| W 93–92

| Paul Westphal (20)

| Omni Coliseum
2,408

| 15–21

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 37

| January 11

| @ Chicago

| L 90–93

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Chicago Stadium
6,446

| 15–22

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 38

| January 13

| Detroit

| W 131–101

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 16–22

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 39

| January 15

| Cleveland

| W 94–79

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 17–22

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 40

| January 19

| N.Y. Knicks

| W 97–90

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,035

| 18–22

| W 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 41

| January 20

| @ Golden State

| L 103–107

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
10,886

| 18–23

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 42

| January 21

| Indiana

| W 125–96

| Alvan Adams (29)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,957

| 19–23

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 43

| January 23

| Seattle

| W 98–88

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 20–23

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 44

| January 25

| San Antonio

| L 108–116

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,814

| 20–24

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 45

| January 27

| Philadelphia

| W 111–94

| Ron Lee (28)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 21–24

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 46

| January 29

| New Orleans

| W 118–102

| Paul Westphal (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,274

| 22–24

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 47

| January 30

| @ Portland

| L 91–97

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Memorial Coliseum
12,311

| 22–25

| L 1

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|February|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 4

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 5

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 48

| February 2

| Milwaukee

| W 130–113

| Paul Westphal (29)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,364

| 23–25

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 49

| February 4

| Golden State

| L 106–109

| Alvan Adams (29)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,849

| 23–26

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 50

| February 6

| Denver

| W 115–104

| Paul Westphal (32)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,826

| 24–26

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 51

| February 8

| Atlanta

| W 117–104

| Alvan Adams (34)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,495

| 25–26

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 52

| February 10

| Washington

| L 103–109

| Paul Westphal (29)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,352

| 25–27

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 53

| February 15

| @ Kansas City

| L 96–102

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Kemper Arena
7,313

| 25–28

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 54

| February 16

| @ Indiana

| L 93–111

| Ira Terrell (15)

| Market Square Arena
9,553

| 25–29

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 55

| February 18

| @ Philadelphia

| W 102–96

| Paul Westphal (22)

| The Spectrum
16,660

| 26–29

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 56

| February 19

| @ Cleveland

| L 88–92

| Paul Westphal (23)

| Coliseum at Richfield
17,882

| 26–30

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 57

| February 20

| @ Detroit

| L 107–109

| Ricky Sobers (25)

| Cobo Arena
7,233

| 26–31

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 58

| February 22

| @ Buffalo

| L 114–115

| Alvan Adams (47)

| Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
6,143

| 26–32

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 59

| February 24

| Houston

| L 106–109

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,835

| 26–33

| L 4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 60

| February 26

| Boston

| L 104–108

| Paul Westphal (22)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,353

| 26–34

| L 5

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|March|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 5

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 7

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 61

| March 2

| Chicago

| L 104–108 (OT)

| Paul Westphal (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,823

| 26–35

| L 6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 62

| March 4

| Golden State

| L 87–101

| Alvan Adams (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,750

| 26–36

| L 7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffccc"

| 63

| March 6

| @ Washington

| L 110–118

| Ricky Sobers (32)

| Capital Centre
14,189

| 26–37

| L 8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 64

| March 8

| @ San Antonio

| L 115–122

| Ricky Sobers,
Paul Westphal (24)

| HemisFair Arena
10,011

| 26–38

| L 9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 65

| March 9

| @ Houston

| L 100–105

| Alvan Adams (26)

| The Summit
6,421

| 26–39

| L 10

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 66

| March 11

| @ N.Y. Nets

| L 73–82

| Paul Westphal (16)

| Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
6,730

| 26–40

| L 11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 67

| March 13

| @ Boston

| L 107–124

| Alvan Adams (29)

| Boston Garden
14,859

| 26–41

| L 12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 68

| March 16

| N.Y. Knicks

| W 124–91

| Paul Westphal (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,177

| 27–41

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 69

| March 18

| New Orleans

| L 100–104

| Paul Westphal (35)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,285

| 27–42

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 70

| March 20

| Portland

| W 126–106

| Alvan Adams (27)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,174

| 28–42

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 71

| March 24

| Buffalo

| L 102–107

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,410

| 28–43

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 72

| March 25

| @ Los Angeles

| L 93–118

| Ira Terrell (22)

| The Forum
13,507

| 28–44

| L 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 73

| March 26

| Los Angeles

| L 102–109

| Alvan Adams (27)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,150

| 28–45

| L 3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 74

| March 27

| @ Seattle

| W 121–100

| Ron Lee (33)

| Seattle Center Coliseum
14,096

| 29–45

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 75

| March 29

| @ Milwaukee

| W 122–110

| Paul Westphal (34)

| MECCA Arena
8,945

| 30–45

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 76

| March 30

| @ New Orleans

| L 100–112

| Alvan Adams (19)

| Louisiana Superdome
6,237

| 30–46

| L 1

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|April|show=no|hide_rebounds=yes|hide_assists=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 1

}}!!Streak

|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 77

| April 1

| Detroit

| W 133–116

| Paul Westphal (40)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,506

| 31–46

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 78

| April 3

| Denver

| L 109–124

| Ron Lee (28)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,501

| 31–47

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 79

| April 5

| Atlanta

| W 108–102

| Ricky Sobers (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,668

| 32–47

| W 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 80

| April 7

| Kansas City

| W 121–110

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,462

| 33–47

| W 2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 81

| April 8

| @ Portland

| L 111–122

| Alvan Adams (26)

| Memorial Coliseum
12,536

| 33–48

| L 1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 82

| April 10

| N.Y. Nets

| W 128–104

| Ron Lee (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,476

| 34–48

| W 1

|-

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=PHO|end_year=1977}}

Awards and honors

=All-Star=

  • Paul Westphal was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection. Westphal finished first in voting among Western Conference guards with 163,173 votes.

=Season=

Player statistics

class="toccolours" style="font-size: 90%; white-space: nowrap;"
colspan="6" style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA;" | Legend
style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" |   GP

| Games played

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" |   GS

| Games started

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" |  MPG 

| Minutes per game

style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" |  FG% 

| style="padding-right: 8px" | Field-goal percentage

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" |  FT% 

| Free-throw percentage

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" |  RPG 

| Rebounds per game

style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" |  APG 

| Assists per game

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" |  SPG 

| Steals per game

| style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black;" |  BPG 

| Blocks per game

style="background-color: #F2F2F2; border: 1px solid black" |  PPG 

| Points per game

=Season=

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; white-space:nowrap;"
style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="10%" | Player

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | GP

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | GS

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | MPG

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | FG%

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | FT%

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | RPG

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | APG

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | SPG

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | BPG

! style="background:#423189;color:#FF8800;" width="6%" | PPG

align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Adams, Alvan|Alvan Adams}}

726731.6.474.754style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 9.1+4.51.3style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.218.0
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Awtrey, Dennis|Dennis Awtrey}}

722624.4.429.7224.92.5.3.45.7
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Erickson, Keith|Keith Erickson}}

50319.0.483.7402.92.1.6.16.4
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Feher, Butch|Butch Feher}}

48910.1.531+.7681.50.8.2.15.2
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Heard, Garfield|Garfield Heard}}

463529.6.379.7259.6+1.91.21.29.7
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Lee, Ron|Ron Lee}}

style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 823422.5.441.6763.63.2style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.9.410.2
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Perry, Curtis|Curtis Perry}}

444231.6.432.7899.01.81.1.610.7
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Schlueter, Dale|Dale Schlueter}}

3908.6.361.5812.11.0.2.21.8
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Sobers, Ricky|Ricky Sobers}}

794825.4.496.8413.03.01.2.213.6
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Terrell, Ira|Ira Terrell}}

783622.4.508.6315.01.3.5.68.5
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Van Arsdale, Dick|Dick Van Arsdale}}

78319.7.456style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .8731.51.5.4.17.7
align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Van Arsdale, Tom|Tom Van Arsdale}}

772818.5.433.7032.40.9.3.05.8
align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Westphal, Paul|Paul Westphal}}

81style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 79style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 32.1style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .518+.8252.3style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 5.71.7.3style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 21.3

+ – Minimum 50 games played.

Transactions

=Trades=

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align: center; width: 100%" bordercolor="#DFDFDF" cellpadding="5"
bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | August 25, 1976

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Buffalo Braves

----1977 second-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Glenn Williams)

:Cash considerations

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Phoenix Suns

----{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Van Arsdale

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | March 18, 1977

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Seattle SuperSonics

----1979 second-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Paul Mokeski)

:Cash considerations

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Phoenix Suns

----Rights to {{flagicon|USA}} Bayard Forrest

=Free agents=

==Additions==

class="wikitable"

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Date

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Player

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Contract

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="15%"| Old Team

style="text-align: center"

| September 23, 1976

| Marv Roberts

| Undisclosed

| Virginia Squires (ABA)

style="text-align: center"

| December 7, 1976

| Dale Schlueter

| Undisclosed

| Buffalo Braves

==Subtractions==

class="wikitable"

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Date

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Player

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="10%"| Reason Left

! style="background:#423189; color:#FF8800" width="15%"| New Team

style="text-align: center"

| August 26, 1976

| John Wetzel

| Retired

| {{n/a}}

style="text-align: center"

| September 15, 1976

| Paul Miller

| Waived

| {{n/a}} (Retired)

style="text-align: center"

| September 21, 1976

| Pat Riley

| Retired

| {{n/a}}

style="text-align: center"

| October 3, 1976

| Carl Brown

| Waived

| {{n/a}} (Retired)

style="text-align: center"

| October 4, 1976

| Al Fleming

| Waived

| Indiana Pacers

style="text-align: center"

| October 15, 1976

| Marv Roberts

| Waived

| Los Angeles Lakers

style="text-align: center"

| October 15, 1976

| Nate Hawthorne

| Waived

| {{n/a}} (Retired)

style="text-align: center"

| October 15, 1976

| Phil Lumpkin

| Waived

| {{n/a}} (Retired)

References

{{reflist|2}}

{{Phoenix Suns seasons}}

{{1976–77 NBA season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1976-77 Phoenix Suns season}}

Category:Phoenix Suns seasons

Phoenix