The 1991–92 NBA season was the Warriors' 46th season in the National Basketball Association , and 29th in the San Francisco Bay Area .[ 1] On the first day of the regular season, Run TMC was broken up when the Warriors traded star guard Mitch Richmond to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for top draft pick, and 6' 8" Syracuse forward Billy Owens ,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] who was selected 3rd overall by the Kings in the 1991 NBA draft .[ 6] [ 7] Owen's additional height compared to Richmond's 6' 5" height was the size that head coach Don Nelson believed would complete the team.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] Nelson said he "was under pressure to get [the team] bigger" to improve the Warriors from a good team to a great one.[ 11] "I’d never make that trade again", Nelson lamented.[ 11] The Warriors started their season winning their first four games, then won 11 of their 15 games in February including an 8-game winning streak. The team held a 29–15 record at the All-Star break,[ 12] and finished second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record, the most wins in a season for the franchise since 1975–76 .[ 13]
Chris Mullin averaged 25.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, while Tim Hardaway averaged 23.4 points, 10.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Mullin was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Hardaway was selected to the All-NBA Second Team, and Nelson was named Coach of the Year.[ 14] [ 15] In addition, Owens provided the team with 14.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while sixth man Sarunas Marciulionis contributed 18.9 points and 1.6 steals per game off the bench, and Rod Higgins provided with 10.2 points per game off the bench, but only played just 25 games due to a wrist injury.[ 16] [ 17] [ 18] Mullin and Hardaway were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game , with Nelson coaching the Western Conference.[ 19] [ 20] [ 21] Mullin also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Hardaway finished in eighth place, Owens finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting, and Marciulionis finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[ 22] [ 23]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Warriors lost in four games to the 6th-seeded Seattle SuperSonics , losing the final two games by just four points.[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] Following the season, Higgins signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings during the next season,[ 27] [ 28] and second-year guard Mario Elie signed with the Portland Trail Blazers .[ 29] [ 30]
1991–92 Golden State Warriors roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
52
Alexander, Victor
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
1969–08–31
Iowa State
SG
4
Askew, Vincent
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1966–02–28
Memphis
SF
35
Buechler, Jud
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1968–06–19
Arizona
SG
20
Elie, Mario
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1963–11–26
American International
PF
25
Gatling, Chris
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1967–09–03
Old Dominion
PG
10
Hardaway, Tim
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1966–09–01
UTEP
SF
22
Higgins, Rod
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1960–01–31
Fresno State
PF
32
Hill, Tyrone
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1968–03–19
Xavier
SF
11
Jackson, Jaren
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1967–10–27
Georgetown
C
53
Lister, Alton
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1958–10–01
Arizona State
SG
13
Marciulionis, Sarunas
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1964–06–13
Lithuania
SF
17
Mullin, Chris
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1963–07–30
St. John's
SF
30
Owens, Billy
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1969–05–01
Syracuse
PF
43
Petersen, Jim
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1962–02–22
Minnesota
SF
3
Tolbert, Tom
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1965–10–16
Arizona
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: March 9, 1992
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit
1991-92 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
–
3–1
2–2
0–5
0–5
2–0
2–0
1–4
1–1
2–0
1–4
1–1
0–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
Boston
1–3
–
3–1
1–3
3–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–2
2–2
0–2
2–3
3–2
5–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
Charlotte
2–2
1–3
–
0–4
2–3
1–1
1–1
1–4
1–1
0–2
3–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–3
1–1
1–3
0–4
3–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–2
Chicago
5–0
3–1
4–0
–
3–2
2–0
2–0
4–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
3–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
Cleveland
5–0
1–3
3–2
2–3
–
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
5–0
1–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
Dallas
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
–
3–2
0–2
0–4
4–2
1–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–1
3–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
0–5
0–4
1–4
0–2
Denver
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–3
–
0–2
0–4
2–3
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–4
1–3
1–5
1–1
Detroit
4–1
0–4
4–1
1–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
–
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–2
3–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
Golden State
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
–
2–2
2–0
3–2
3–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–2
2–3
5–0
2–2
3–2
1–3
2–0
Houston
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–4
3–2
0–2
2–2
–
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
3–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
3–1
3–1
3–2
1–3
1–4
2–0
Indiana
4–1
2–2
2–3
1–3
0–5
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
–
0–2
2–0
3–1
4–1
2–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–2
L.A. Clippers
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
4–0
2–0
2–3
2–2
2–0
–
2–3
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–3
2–2
2–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
3–1
0–2
2–3
2–2
0–2
3–2
–
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–3
1–4
4–1
1–3
1–4
1–3
1–1
Miami
2–2
2–3
3–1
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
–
4–0
2–0
2–2
1–4
3–1
1–4
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
5–0
Milwaukee
1–3
2–2
3–2
2–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–3
0–2
1–1
1–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
–
2–0
0–4
1–3
3–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
Minnesota
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–3
3–2
1–1
0–4
2–3
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
0–2
–
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–4
1–3
0–6
0–4
2–3
0–2
New Jersey
1–3
3–2
3–1
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
4–0
2–0
–
2–3
3–1
3–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–3
New York
2–2
2–3
4–0
0–4
0–4
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
4–1
3–1
2–0
3–2
–
4–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
4–0
Orlando
2–2
0–5
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–3
1–4
–
3–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–3
Philadelphia
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
4–1
1–3
2–0
2–3
1–3
2–3
–
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
5–0
Phoenix
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–3
3–1
1–1
2–3
3–2
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
–
3–2
4–1
3–1
3–2
2–2
2–0
Portland
2–0
1–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
0–2
3–2
1–3
2–0
3–2
4–1
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–3
–
5–0
2–2
4–1
2–2
2–0
Sacramento
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
0–2
0–5
1–3
1–1
3–2
1–4
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–4
0–5
–
1–3
1–4
1–3
2–0
San Antonio
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
5–0
4–1
1–1
2–2
2–3
0–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
6–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
–
3–1
1–4
0–2
Seattle
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–3
3–1
2–0
3–2
4–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–3
1–4
4–1
1–3
–
3–1
2–0
Utah
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
4–1
5–1
1–1
3–1
4–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
3–2
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
4–1
1–3
–
2–0
Washington
2–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
0–4
2–0
1–1
1–3
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–5
1–3
2–0
3–2
0–4
3–2
0–5
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
—
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(January 2011 )
1992 playoff game log
First round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
1992 schedule
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Warriors only.
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
^ 1991–92 Golden State Warriors
^ "Kings Deal Owens to Golden State for Richmond" . United Press International . November 1, 1991. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Richmond Is Traded for Rights to Owens" . The New York Times . November 2, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2021 .
^ "Richmond Traded to Kings for the Rights to Billy Owens: Pro Basketball: Warriors Break Up His High-Scoring Trio to Get Syracuse Rookie" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 2, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "Warriors Get Rights to Owens" . The Washington Post . November 2, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ Goldaper, Sam (June 27, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Hornets Make Johnson No. 1 Pick in the Draft" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 2, 2021 .
^ "UNLV's Johnson Is No. 1: NBA Draft: Coaches' Attempts in Charlotte and New Jersey to Select Billy Owens Are Overruled. Three UNLV Players Are Taken in the First Round" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. June 27, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (August 23, 2011). "Time Can't Fade Indelible Mark Run TMC Left on Warriors, NBA" . NBA.com . Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2013 .
^ Hoffman, Benjamin (February 16, 2013). "Fascination Lingers for Three Stars of Warriors' Brief Run" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013.
^ Wolff, Alexander (December 2, 1991). "The Golden West" . Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2017 .
^ a b Osborne, Ben (January 3, 2011). "Original Old School: Run & Shoot & Shoot…" . SlamOnline.com . Archived from the original on May 14, 2013.
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "1991–92 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nelson's Consolation Prize" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 22, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Warriors' Higgins Might Be Sidelined for Rest of the Season After Surgery" . Los Angeles Times . December 14, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Higgins Out with Broken Wrist" . United Press International . December 14, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "1991–92 Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021 .
^ Hafner, Dan (January 23, 1992). "NBA ROUNDUP: Warriors' Nelson Is Finally an All-Star" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 27, 2021 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Best of Bench Bunch? It's Still Schrempf" . The New York Times . April 28, 1992. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 3, 2022 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; SuperSonics Move to Round 2 with Knockout of Warriors" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 1, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
^ "After Beating Warriors, SuperSonics Sit and Wait" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2017 .
^ "1992 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Warriors" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 18, 2023 .
^ "Pro Basketball" . Los Angeles Times . November 28, 1992. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "Sports Digest" . United Press International . November 27, 1992. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Blazer Offer to Elie" . The New York Times . Associated Press. August 5, 1992. Retrieved December 31, 2021 .
^ "Miscellany" . Los Angeles Times . August 19, 1992. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .