The Suns were in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, extending a then-franchise record.
The Suns were eliminated in the first round two games to one by the Denver Nuggets, a team they had beaten by the same margin a year earlier.
The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Second-year player Larry Nance, who finished the season fourth in the NBA in blocks per game, was second in team scoring at 16.7, while fellow big man Maurice Lucas averaged a double-double with 16.5 points and 10.4 rebounds a contest.
Point guard Dennis Johnson earned another spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team.