Danny Ainge

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Lore & Background

After the 1991–92 season, Ainge became a free agent. He had stated in media interviews that he ideally wanted to stay in Portland and would contact Blazers management before seriously entertaining offers from other teams. However, on July 1, 1992, Ainge signed a contract with the Phoenix Suns on his first day of free agency. Ainge averaged 11.8 points per game as the Suns went 62–20 that year and reached the NBA finals, where they lost to the Bulls in six games. On January 18, 1994, he became the second player in NBA history to hit 900 three-point shots. He scored 11,964 points, 2,768 rebounds, and 4,199 assists over 1,042 NBA games. Ainge retired after the 1994–95 season. He rejoined the Suns as an assistant to head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons in May 1996. On November 14, 1996, Fitzsimmons retired after the Suns started the season with an 0–8 record and Ainge was appointed as his replacement. During his first season coaching the Suns, Ainge got into an on-court altercation with player Robert Horry, which led to Horry throwing a towel at Ainge afterward. This incident eventually forced the Suns to trade Horry to the Los Angeles Lakers for Ainge's old teammate Cedric Ceballos. Despite early struggles, Ainge would lead the Suns into the 1997 NBA playoffs after they started the season with a 0–13 record. On December 14, 1999, Ainge resigned as head coach of the Suns; he cited a need to spend more time with his family. Ainge had accumulated a 136–90 record during his stint as head coach. Ainge was replaced by assistant coach Scott Skiles.

In Their Own Story

The 1993 NBA Finals. The Suns, down 3-2 to the Chicago Bulls, fight to force a Game Seven. Ainge, the veteran guard signed in free agency, is on the floor. He scores nine points in the extra period to tie an all-time NBA record for most points in an overtime during a finals game. The Suns win 153–151 in a double-overtime thriller, forcing a Game Six. Though the Suns would ultimately lose the series in six games, Ainge's performance in that record-setting game—the highest scoring NBA postseason game of all time—cemented his place in Suns lore. Earlier in that same postseason, on May 5, 1992, while still with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ainge had played an important role in that same highest scoring NBA postseason game, scoring 25 points and hitting multiple key shots during a 153–151 double overtime win over the Phoenix Suns.

Reader's Guide

Danny Ainge's time with the Phoenix Suns can be understood in two distinct chapters: player and coach. As a player (1992–1995): Ainge signed with the Suns as a free agent on July 1, 1992. He averaged 11.8 points per game in his first season, helping the team to a 62–20 record and an NBA Finals appearance. On January 18, 1994, he became the second player in NBA history to hit 900 three-point shots. He retired after the 1994–95 season with career totals of 11,964 points, 2,768 rebounds, and 4,199 assists over 1,042 games. As a coach (1996–1999): Ainge returned to the Suns as an assistant coach in May 1996. He became head coach on November 14, 1996, after Cotton Fitzsimmons retired with an 0–8 record. Ainge led the team to the 1997 playoffs despite a 0–13 start. His tenure included an on-court altercation with Robert Horry, which led to Horry being traded. Ainge resigned on December 14, 1999, with a 136–90 record, citing a need to spend more time with his family.

Did You Know?

• Ainge signed with the Phoenix Suns on July 1, 1992, the first day of free agency, after stating he ideally wanted to stay in Portland.
• On January 18, 1994, Ainge became the second player in NBA history to hit 900 three-point shots.
• Ainge scored nine points in an overtime period during the 1993 NBA Finals, tying an all-time NBA record for most points in an overtime during a finals game.
• As head coach, Ainge led the Suns to the 1997 playoffs after they started the season with an 0–13 record.
• Ainge resigned as Suns head coach on December 14, 1999, with a 136–90 record, citing a need to spend more time with his family.