The 1990–91 Phoenix Suns season was the team's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association. For the season opener, the Suns traveled to Japan to play their two first games against the Utah Jazz at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, making history by being the two first teams in U.S. professional sport to play a regular season game outside of North America. The Suns got off to an 8–7 start early into the season as they traded Eddie Johnson to the Seattle SuperSonics for Xavier McDaniel. The Suns would post a 7-game winning streak as they won 17 of their next 21 games, ending the season finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record. They would face the Jazz again in the first round of the playoffs, losing in four games to the 5th-seeded team.
Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game. Johnson led the Suns with 22.2 points, 10.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was also selected to the All-NBA Second Team. Following the season, McDaniel was traded to the New York Knicks.
First round pick Jayson Williams did not reach an agreement with team president Jerry Colangelo over his rookie contract, and after months of discussion Phoenix sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a conditional first round selection in the 1994 NBA draft. Rights to Miloš Babić were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the rights of Stefano Rusconi.
Season standings
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson were selected to play in the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, their fourth and second appearances respectively.
Kevin Johnson was selected to the All-NBA Second Team.
Dan Majerle was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
In a game against the Denver Nuggets on November 10, 1990, the Suns broke the NBA scoring record for a team in a half, by finishing the first two quarters ahead 107-67.
In Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Utah Jazz, Phoenix suffered their worst playoff loss in franchise history up to that point, by losing 129-90.
10/30/90: Ricky Blanton: Viral infection; placed on injured list until waived on November 14
10/30/90: Negele Knight: Pulled hamstring; placed on injured list until November 21
10/30/90: Andrew Lang: Leg stress fracture; placed on injured list until November 16
11/03/90: Jeff Hornacek: Sore neck; did not play
11/07/90: Jeff Hornacek: Sore neck; did not play
11/16/90: Ian Lockhart: Knee, ankle injuries: placed on injured list for rest of season
11/21/90: Tim Perry: Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until December 5
12/05/90: Andrew Lang: Bruised arm; placed on injured list until December 26
12/26/90: Kenny Battle: Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until waived on January 23
01/02/91: Tom Chambers: Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/04/91: Tom Chambers: Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/05/91: Tom Chambers: Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/27/91: Joe Barry Carroll: Placed on suspended list until February 19
01/27/91: Kurt Rambis: Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until February 5
02/19/91: Tim Perry: Knee tendinitis; placed on injured list until March 17
03/17/91: Joe Barry Carroll: Sore hamstring; placed on injured list until April 21
04/05/91: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring; did not play
04/05/91: Dan Majerle: Injured hip; did not play
04/07/91: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring; did not play
04/07/91: Dan Majerle: Injured hip: did not play
04/09/91: Tom Chambers: Back spasms; did not play
04/09/91: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring; did not play
04/09/91: Dan Majerle: Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/12/91: Tom Chambers: Back spasms; did not play
04/12/91: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring; did not play
04/12/91: Dan Majerle: Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/14/91: Tom Chambers: Back spasms; did not play
04/14/91: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring; did not play
04/14/91: Dan Majerle: Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/21/91: Tim Perry: Knee tendinitis; placed on injured list for rest of season
* – Stats with the Suns.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.
