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1979–80 Phoenix Suns season

{{Short description|NBA team season}}

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

{{more citations needed|date=May 2011}}

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Phoenix Suns

| end_year = 1980

| wins = 55

| losses = 27

| division = Pacific

| division_place = 3

| conf_place = 4

| 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 = Conference semifinals
(lost to Lakers 1–4)

| bbr_team = PHO

| television = KPNX

| radio = KTAR

}}

The 1979–80 Phoenix Suns season was the 12th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and at 55–27, the team's best regular season record since the franchise's inception. The Suns defeated Western Conference foe Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs, marking the first time the Suns had won a playoff series in back-to-back seasons. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Suns would lose to the Pacific-winning Los Angeles Lakers, who later went on to win the season's championship. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod, his seventh season with the team, and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Paul Westphal led the Suns in scoring with a 21.9 point-per-game average and earned All-NBA First Team honors, while Walter Davis was second in team scoring with a 21.5 average. Both Westphal and Davis would return as selections to the All-Star Game. Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams provided an inside presence, averaging 17 and 15 points per game to go with nine and eight rebounds each. Robinson would play in just three of the eight Suns' playoff games, however.

Offseason

=NBA draft=

{{main|1979 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

| 22

| Kyle Macy

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Kentucky

style="text-align: center"

| 2

| 24

| Johnny High

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Nevada

style="text-align: center"

| 3

| 64

| Al Green

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Louisiana State

style="text-align: center"

| 4

| 86

| Malcolm Cesare

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Florida

style="text-align: center"

| 5

| 107

| Mark Eaton

| Center

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Cypress JC

style="text-align: center"

| 6

| 127

| Dale Shackelford

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Syracuse

style="text-align: center"

| 7

| 147

| Ollie Matson

| Forward

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Pepperdine

style="text-align: center"

| 8

| 165

| Charles Jones

| Center

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Albany State

style="text-align: center"

| 9

| 183

| Hosea Champine

| Guard

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Robert Morris

style="text-align: center"

| 10

| 201

| Korky Nelson

| Center

| {{flagu|United States}}

| Santa Clara

Roster

{{NBA roster header|team=Phoenix Suns|season=1979–80

| 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 = 23 | first = Mike | last = Bratz | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1955-10-17 | college = Stanford}}

{{ player2 | num = 10 | first = Don | last = Buse | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 1950-08-10 | college = Evansville}}

{{ player2 | num = 45 | first = Jeff | last = Cook | dab = basketball | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 215 | DOB = 1956-10-21 | college = Idaho State}}

{{ player2 | num = 6 | first = Walter | last = Davis | dab = basketball | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 193 | DOB = 1954-09-09 | college = North Carolina}}

{{ player2 | num = 35 | first = Bayard | last = Forrest | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 235 | DOB = 1954-07-08 | college = Grand Canyon| note = IN | inj = yes }}

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

{{ player2 | num = 22 | first = Johnny | last = High | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1957-04-25 | college = Nevada}}

{{ player2 | num = 53 | first = Rich | last = Kelley | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 235 | DOB = 1953-03-23 | college = Stanford}}

{{ player2 | num = 50 | first = Joel | last = Kramer | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 203 | DOB = 1955-11-30 | college = San Diego State | inj = yes }}

{{ player2 | num = 21 | first = Leonard | last = Robinson | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1951-10-04 | college = Tennessee State}}

{{ player2 | num = 14 | first = Alvin | last = Scott | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1955-09-14 | college = Oral Roberts}}

{{ 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=

{{1979–80 NBA Pacific standings|team=PHO}}

{{1979–80 NBA West standings|team=PHO}}

=Record vs. opponents=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
colspan=23|1979–80 NBA records
width=100|Team

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

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

!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:#B0170C;color:#00056D;width=35"|NJN

!style="background:#800000;color:#191970;width=35"|NYK

!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:#87CEEB;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|SDC

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

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

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

style="text-align:left;" | Atlanta—2–41–14–21–16–02–02–44–20–21–11–14–24–24–21–12–05–11–10–22–03–3
style="text-align:left;" | Boston4–2—2–04–22–06–02–06–04–21–10–22–05–15–13–31–12–04–22–00–22–04–2
style="text-align:left;" | Chicago1–10–2—2–02–41–14–21–10–23–31–51–51–10–21–11–53–30–24–22–42–40–2
style="text-align:left;" | Cleveland2–42–40–2—1–16–02–02–42–42–01–10–23–33–31–51–10–24–21–10–21–13–3
style="text-align:left;" | Denver1–10–24–21–1—1–13–31–11–10–61–53–31–11–10–21–52–41–13–31–53–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | Detroit0–60–61–10–61–1—1–11–51–50–20–21–12–42–41–50–20–22–40–20–21–12–4
style="text-align:left;" | Golden State0–20–22–40–23–31–1—1–11–13–31–50–62–00–20–22–42–40–23–30–63–30–2
style="text-align:left;" | Houston4–20–61–14–21–15–11–1—4–20–20–21–13–33–32–41–11–13–32–01–12–02–4
style="text-align:left;" | Indiana2–42–42–04–21–15–11–12–4—1–10–20–22–44–21–50–22–02–41–10–21–14–2
style="text-align:left;" | Kansas City2–01–13–30–26–02–03–32–01–1—2–43–31–11–11–11–51–51–15–13–36–02–0
style="text-align:left;" | Los Angeles1–12–05–11–15–12–05–12–02–04–2—3–32–02–01–13–32–42–05–14–26–01–1
style="text-align:left;" | Milwaukee1–10–25–12–03–31–16–01–12–03–33–3—1–11–10–24–25–10–24–22–44–21–1
style="text-align:left;" | New Jersey2–41–51–13–31–14–20–23–34–21–10–21–1—2–41–51–10–23–31–11–11–13–3
style="text-align:left;" | New York2–41–52–03–31–14–22–03–32–41–10–21–14–2—0–62–02–04–21–10–21–13–3
style="text-align:left;" | Philadelphia2–43–31–15–12–05–12–04–25–11–11–12–05–16–0—1–12–04–21–11–11–15–1
style="text-align:left;" | Phoenix1–11–15–11–15–12–04–21–12–05–13–32–41–10–21–1—6–01–12–44–26–02–0
style="text-align:left;" | Portland0–20–23–32–04–22–04–21–10–25–14–21–52–00–20–20–6—1–14–21–53–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | San Antonio1–52–42–02–41–14–22–03–34–21–10–22–03–32–42–41–11–1—2–01–11–14–2
style="text-align:left;" | San Diego1–10–22–41–13–32–03–30–21–11–51–52–41–11–11–14–22–40–2—3–35–11–1
style="text-align:left;" | Seattle2–02–04–22–05–12–06–01–12–03–32–44–21–12–01–12–45–11–13–3—5–11–1
style="text-align:left;" | Utah0–20–24–21–13–31–13–30–21–10–60–62–41–11–11–10–63–31–11–51–5—0–2
style="text-align:left;" | Washington3–32–42–03–31–14–22–04–22–40–21–11–13–33–31–50–21–12–41–11–12–0—

=Game log=

{{NBA game log start|Phoenix Suns|end_year=1980|bgcolor=#423189|color=#FF8800

| home_wins = 36

| home_losses = 5

| road_wins = 19

| road_losses = 22}}

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

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 3

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 1

| October 12

| Golden State

| W 97–89

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,785

| 1–0

| W 1

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

| 2

| October 14

| Chicago

| W 112–102

| Walter Davis (20)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,039

| 2–0

| W 2

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

| 3

| October 16

| Seattle

| W 102–86

| Alvan Adams (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,253

| 3–0

| W 3

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

| 4

| October 19

| @ Milwaukee

| L 94–95

| Paul Westphal (29)

| MECCA Arena
10,938

| 3–1

| L 1

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

| 5

| October 20

| @ Chicago

| L 104–116

| Alvan Adams (32)

| Chicago Stadium
12,117

| 3–2

| L 2

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

| 6

| October 21

| @ Kansas City

| L 85–122

| Truck Robinson (21)

| Kemper Arena
6,648

| 3–3

| L 3

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

| 7

| October 23

| Milwaukee

| L 108–114

| Truck Robinson (34)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,538

| 3–4

| L 4

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

| 8

| October 24

| @ Golden State

| W 110–108 (OT)

| Paul Westphal (37)

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,296

| 4–4

| W 1

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

| 9

| October 26

| @ Seattle

| W 92–86

| Walter Davis (22)

| Kingdome
18,514

| 5–4

| W 2

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

| 10

| October 28

| @ Portland

| W 89–88

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Memorial Coliseum
12,66

| 6–4

| W 3

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

| 11

| October 30

| San Antonio

| W 142–109

| Truck Robinson (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,489

| 7–4

| W 4

|-

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

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 3

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 12

| November 2

| @ Los Angeles

| L 110–112

| Alvan Adams (29)

| The Forum
14,344

| 7–5

| L 1

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

| 13

| November 6

| @ Utah

| W 120–107

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Salt Palace
6,197

| 8–5

| W 1

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

| 14

| November 7

| San Diego

| L 102–114

| Alvan Adams (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,097

| 8–6

| L 1

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

| 15

| November 9

| Cleveland

| W 110–106

| Truck Robinson (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,911

| 9–6

| W 1

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

| 16

| November 11

| Denver

| W 116–91

| Truck Robinson (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,118

| 10–6

| W 2

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

| 17

| November 14

| Indiana

| W 104–100

| Walter Davis (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,762

| 11–6

| W 3

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

| 18

| November 16

| Portland

| W 98–97

| Walter Davis (32)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,464

| 12–6

| W 4

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

| 19

| November 18

| Golden State

| L 95–99

| Walter Davis

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,409

| 12–7

| L 1

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

| 20

| November 20

| @ San Diego

| L 110–117

| Walter Davis (23)

| San Diego Sports Arena
6,992

| 12–8

| L 2

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

| 21

| November 21

| Kansas City

| W 128–120

| Walter Davis (28)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,704

| 13–8

| W 1

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

| 22

| November 23

| Los Angeles

| W 126–112

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 14–8

| W 2

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

| 23

| November 24

| @ Denver

| W 115–101

| Walter Davis (40)

| McNichols Sports Arena
13,664

| 15–8

| W 3

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

| 24

| November 25

| @ Portland

| W 87–86

| Walter Davis (22)

| Memorial Coliseum
12,666

| 16–8

| W 4

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

| 25

| November 28

| @ Seattle

| L 116–127

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Kingdome
28,248

| 16–9

| L 1

|-

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

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 5

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 26

| December 1

| Chicago

| W 99–86

| Truck Robinson,
Paul Westphal (17)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 17–9

| W 1

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

| 27

| December 4

| @ New York

| L 114–118

| Paul Westphal (35)

| Madison Square Garden
11,042

| 17–10

| L 1

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

| 28

| December 5

| @ New Jersey

| L 100–115

| Walter Davis (28)

| Rutgers Athletic Center
5,162

| 17–11

| L 2

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

| 29

| December 7

| @ Boston

| L 92–100

| Walter Davis (27)

| Boston Garden
15,320

| 17–12

| L 3

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

| 30

| December 8

| @ Philadelphia

| L 96–117

| Truck Robinson (19)

| The Spectrum
12,051

| 17–13

| L 4

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

| 31

| December 11

| @ Washington

| W 123–99

| Paul Westphal (27)

| Capital Centre
8,216

| 18–13

| W 1

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

| 32

| December 13

| Houston

| W 121–113

| Walter Davis (31)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,841

| 19–13

| W 2

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

| 33

| December 15

| Detroit

| W 126–105

| Walter Davis (32)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,844

| 20–13

| W 3

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

| 34

| December 19

| Utah

| W 117–99

| Paul Westphal (20)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,501

| 21–13

| W 4

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

| 35

| December 21

| @ Chicago

| W 127–117

| Truck Robinson (27)

| Chicago Stadium
5,706

| 22–13

| W 5

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

| 36

| December 22

| @ Kansas City

| W 115–111

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Kemper Arena
8,868

| 23–13

| W 6

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

| 37

| December 23

| @ Milwaukee

| W 106–103

| Paul Westphal (26)

| MECCA Arena
10,938

| 24–13

| W 7

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

| 38

| December 26

| Portland

| W 119–99

| Truck Robinson (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 25–13

| W 8

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

| 39

| December 28

| Kansas City

| W 118–112

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 26–13

| W 9

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

| 40

| December 30

| @ Los Angeles

| L 105–113

| Paul Westphal (29)

| The Forum
15,544

| 26–14

| L 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 = 2

| road_losses = 4

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 41

| January 2

| @ San Antonio

| L 109–118

| Truck Robinson (29)

| HemisFair Arena
8,276

| 26–15

| L 2

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

| 42

| January 5

| @ Houston

| L 110–111

| Paul Westphal (26)

| The Summit
9,122

| 26–16

| L 3

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

| 43

| January 9

| Golden State

| W 113–100

| Walter Davis (19)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,706

| 27–16

| W 1

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

| 44

| January 12

| @ Golden State

| L 96–107

| Walter Davis (19)

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,547

| 27–17

| L 1

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

| 45

| January 13

| Utah

| W 106–103

| Paul Westphal (28)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,725

| 28–17

| W 1

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

| 46

| January 15

| @ Denver

| W 107–99

| Paul Westphal (19)

| McNichols Sports Arena
13,057

| 29–17

| W 2

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

| 47

| January 16

| @ Utah

| W 115–108

| Truck Robinson (27)

| Salt Palace
6,588

| 30–17

| W 3

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

| 48

| January 17

| Atlanta

| W 101–99

| Paul Westphal (29)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 31–17

| W 4

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

| 49

| January 19

| San Diego

| W 137–123

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 32–17

| W 5

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

| 50

| January 23

| New York

| L 109–119

| Paul Westphal (27)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,504

| 32–18

| L 1

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

| 51

| January 25

| Milwaukee

| W 110–96

| Truck Robinson (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 33–18

| W 1

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

| 52

| January 27

| Philadelphia

| W 125–118

| Paul Westphal (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 34–18

| W 2

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

| 53

| January 29

| @ San Diego

| L 121–133

| Truck Robinson (31)

| San Diego Sports Arena
11,428

| 34–19

| L 1

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

| 54

| January 30

| Denver

| W 122–114

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,069

| 35–19

| W 1

|-

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

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 4

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 55

| February 6

| Kansas City

| W 97–95

| Walter Davis (21)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,310

| 36–19

| W 2

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

| 56

| February 8

| @ Chicago

| W 113–109

| Mike Bratz (20)

| Chicago Stadium
10,403

| 37–19

| W 3

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

| 57

| February 10

| @ Milwaukee

| L 107–109

| Walter Davis (27)

| MECCA Arena
10,938

| 37–20

| L 1

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

| 58

| February 13

| Boston

| W 135–134

| Paul Westphal (34)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 38–20

| W 1

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

| 59

| February 15

| Washington

| W 116–104

| Truck Robinson (26)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 39–20

| W 2

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

| 60

| February 17

| New Jersey

| W 128–98

| Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,466

| 40–20

| W 3

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

| 61

| February 19

| @ Cleveland

| L 109–128

| Walter Davis (32)

| Coliseum at Richfield
5,739

| 40–21

| L 1

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

| 62

| February 21

| @ Detroit

| W 125–116

| Paul Westphal (49)

| Pontiac Silverdome
5,317

| 41–21

| W 1

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

| 63

| February 22

| @ Atlanta

| L 104–111

| Alvan Adams (19)

| Omni Coliseum
13,150

| 41–22

| L 1

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

| 64

| February 24

| @ Indiana

| W 113–105

| Walter Davis (29)

| Market Square Arena
9,174

| 42–22

| W 1

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

| 65

| February 26

| @ Denver

| L 112–121

| Truck Robinson (25)

| McNichols Sports Arena
11,149

| 42–23

| L 1

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

| 66

| February 27

| Milwaukee

| L 110–119 (OT)

| Walter Davis (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,683

| 42–24

| L 2

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

| 67

| February 28

| @ Utah

| W 111–101

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Salt Palace
6,903

| 43–24

| W 1

|-

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

| home_wins = 9

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 3

}}!!Streak

|-

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

| 68

| March 2

| Los Angeles

| W 125–115

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 44–24

| W 2

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

| 69

| March 5

| Seattle

| W 127–111

| Walter Davis (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 45–24

| W 3

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

| 70

| March 7

| Utah

| W 110–94

| Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (24)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,245

| 46–24

| W 4

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

| 71

| March 9

| Chicago

| W 113–103 (OT)

| Paul Westphal (32)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,210

| 47–24

| W 5

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

| 72

| March 12

| @ Golden State

| W 122–113

| Paul Westphal (31)

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,936

| 48–24

| W 6

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

| 73

| March 15

| @ San Diego

| L 109–120

| Truck Robinson (29)

| San Diego Sports Arena
10,635

| 48–25

| L 1

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

| 74

| March 16

| @ Los Angeles

| L 106–128

| Truck Robinson (26)

| The Forum
16,587

| 48–26

| L 2

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

| 75

| March 18

| @ Kansas City

| W 112–109

| Walter Davis (25)

| Kemper Arena
11,448

| 49–26

| W 1

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

| 76

| March 19

| Los Angeles

| W 112–108

| Paul Westphal (30)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 50–26

| W 2

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

| 77

| March 21

| @ Portland

| W 111–100

| Truck Robinson (23)

| Memorial Coliseum
12,666

| 51–26

| W 3

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

| 78

| March 23

| Denver

| W 118–102

| Walter Davis (27)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,705

| 52–26

| W 4

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

| 79

| March 25

| @ Seattle

| L 95–104

| Walter Davis (21)

| Kingdome
34,152

| 52–27

| L 1

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

| 80

| March 26

| Seattle

| W 109–99

| Walter Davis (32)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 53–27

| W 1

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

| 81

| March 28

| Portland

| W 114–100

| Walter Davis (20)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,224

| 54–27

| W 2

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

| 82

| March 30

| San Diego

| W 122–104

| Walter Davis (23)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,807

| 55–27

| W 3

|-

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=PHO|end_year=1979|playoffs=yes}}

Playoffs

=Game log=

{{NBA game log start|Phoenix Suns|end_year=1980|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#423189|color=#FF8800}}

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|First Round|show=no|first=yes|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 1

}}

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

| 1

| April 2

| Kansas City

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004020PHO.html W 96–93]

| Paul Westphal (23)

| Truck Robinson (14)

| Walter Davis (7)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 1–0

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

| 2

| April 4

| @ Kansas City

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004040KCK.html L 96–106]

| Alvan Adams (22)

| Alvan Adams (12)

| Alvan Adams (7)

| Kemper Arena
9,637

| 1–1

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

| 3

| April 6

| Kansas City

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004060PHO.html W 114–99]

| Walter Davis (22)

| Alvan Adams (20)

| Adams, Davis (7)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,306

| 2–1

|-

{{NBA game log section|Phoenix Suns|Conference semifinals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FF8800|color=#423189

| home_wins = 1

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 3

}}

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

| 1

| April 8

| @ Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004080LAL.html L 110–119]

| Mike Bratz (25)

| Rich Kelley (10)

| Don Buse (9)

| The Forum
15,892

| 0–1

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

| 2

| April 9

| @ Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004090LAL.html L 128–131 (OT)]

| Paul Westphal (37)

| Gar Heard (9)

| Alvan Adams (12)

| The Forum
14,286

| 0–2

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

| 3

| April 11

| Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004110PHO.html L 105–108]

| Walter Davis (28)

| Gar Heard (11)

| Davis, Buse (5)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 0–3

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

| 4

| April 13

| Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004130PHO.html W 127–101]

| Paul Westphal (25)

| Gar Heard (9)

| Buse, Adams (6)

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660

| 1–3

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

| 5

| April 15

| @ Los Angeles

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004150LAL.html L 101–126]

| Walter Davis (24)

| Adams, Cook (6)

| Rich Kelley (7)

| The Forum
17,505

| 1–4

|-

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=PHO|end_year=1980|playoffs=yes}}

Awards and honors

=All-Star=

  • Paul Westphal was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished fourth in voting among Western Conference guards with 127,409 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his third consecutive All-Star selection. Davis finished fourth in voting among Western Conference forwards with 100,546 votes.

=Season=

Player statistics

{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

=Season=

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Phoenix Suns}}

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Adams, Alvan|Alvan Adams}} || 75 || 63 || 28.9 || .531 || .000 || .797 || 8.1 || 4.3 || 1.4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .7+ || 14.9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Bratz, Mike|Mike Bratz}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 1 || 19.4 || .392 || .244 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .870 || 2.0 || 2.7 || 1.1 || .1 || 8.5

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Buse, Don|Don Buse}} || 81 || 81 || 30.9 || .443 || .241 || .664 || 2.9 || 4.0 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.6 || .1 || 7.7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Cook, Jeff|Jeff Cook}} || 66 || 14 || 13.7 || .469 || .000 || .806 || 3.7 || 1.3 || .4 || .3 || 5.5

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Davis, Walter|Walter Davis}} || 75 || 73 || 30.8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .563 || .000 || .819 || 3.6 || 4.5 || 1.5 || .3 || 21.5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Heard, Garfield|Garfield Heard}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 5 || 17.1 || .417 || .000 || .744 || 4.6 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .6 || 5.0

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|High, Johnny|Johnny High}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 0 || 13.7 || .446 || .143 || .674 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .9 || .2 || 5.0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Kelley, Rich|Rich Kelley}}* || 23 || 0 || 16.2 || .506 || . || .783 || 5.1 || 2.2 || 1.2 || .7+ || 5.8

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Kramer, Joel|Joel Kramer}} || 54 || 6 || 13.2 || .469 || .000 || .800 || 2.8 || 1.4 || .5 || .1 || 3.5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Robinson, Truck|Truck Robinson}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 33.0 || .512 || . || .667 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 9.4 || 1.7 || .7 || .7 || 17.3

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Scott, Alvin|Alvin Scott}} || 79 || 3 || 16.5 || .422 || .333† || .779 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .6 || .7 || 4.4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Westphal, Paul|Paul Westphal}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 82 || 32.5 || .525 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .280† || .862 || 2.3 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 5.1 || 1.5 || .4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 21.9

|}

* – Stats with the Suns.

† – Minimum 25 three-pointers made.

+ – Minimum 50 games played.

=Playoffs=

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Phoenix Suns}}

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Adams, Alvan|Alvan Adams}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 31.4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .566† || . || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .895^ || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 9.6 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 5.8 || .9 || 1.3 || 16.1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Bratz, Mike|Mike Bratz}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 0 || 21.1 || .512 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | .391 || .900^ || 2.5 || 2.0 || 1.1 || .0 || 13.0

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Buse, Don|Don Buse}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 29.5 || .438 || .385 || .636 || 2.6 || 5.5 || .8 || .0 || 8.5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Cook, Jeff|Jeff Cook}} || 7 || 0 || 14.0 || .667† || . || .846 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .6 || .3 || 7.7

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Davis, Walter|Walter Davis}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 30.6 || .504 || .000 || .737 || 2.9 || 4.4 || .5 || .1 || 20.8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Heard, Garfield|Garfield Heard}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 6 || 27.9 || .393 || . || .733 || 6.4 || 1.5 || 1.1 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.4 || 6.9

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|High, Johnny|Johnny High}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 0 || 15.0 || .387 || .000 || .500 || 3.1 || 2.5 || .8 || .3 || 4.0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Kelley, Rich|Rich Kelley}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 0 || 18.3 || .432 || .000 || .900^ || 4.5 || 2.8 || 1.1 || .9 || 5.9

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Robinson, Truck|Truck Robinson}} || 3 || 2 || 21.3 || .375 || . || .714 || 6.7 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .7 || 5.7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| {{sort|Scott, Alvin|Alvin Scott}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || 0 || 17.5 || .515 || .000 || .500 || 2.8 || 1.3 || .5 || .6 || 4.8

|- align="center" bgcolor=""

| {{sort|Westphal, Paul|Paul Westphal}} || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 8 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 31.6 || .486 || .083 || .875 || 1.3 || 3.9 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 1.4 || .4 || style="background:#FF8800;color:#423189;" | 20.9

|}

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.

^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

=Trades=

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

| style="width:12%" | June 22, 1979

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Washington Bullets

----Rights to {{flagicon|USA}} Steve Malovic

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

----1979 first-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Kyle Macy)

:1980 third-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} John Campbell)

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | August 20, 1979

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To Detroit Pistons

----1981 fourth-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Don Koonce)

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

----{{flagicon|USA}} Andre Wakefield

bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | February 15, 1980

| style="width:30%" valign="top"| To New Jersey Nets

----1982 first-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Brook Steppe)

:1983 second-round draft pick ({{flagicon|USA}} Pace Mannion)

:Cash considerations

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

----{{flagicon|USA}} Rich Kelley

=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"

| May 22, 1979

| Jeff Cook

| Undisclosed

| Washington Lumberjacks (WBA)

style="text-align: center"

| September 13, 1979

| Greg Griffin

| Undisclosed

| Phoenix Suns

==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"

| September 4, 1979

| Ted McClain

| Waived

|

style="text-align: center"

| October 1, 1979

| Al Green

| Waived

|

style="text-align: center"

| October 1, 1979

| Charles Jones

| Waived

| Maine Lumberjacks (CBA)

style="text-align: center"

| October 1, 1979

| Greg Griffin

| Waived

|

style="text-align: center"

| October 12, 1979

| Andre Wakefield

| Waived

| Utah Jazz

References

  • [https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html Standings on Basketball Reference]

{{Phoenix Suns seasons}}

{{1979–80 NBA season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1979-80 Phoenix Suns Season}}

Category:Phoenix Suns seasons

Phoe