1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season

1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachRick Adelman
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record57–25 (.695)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Bulls 2–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
RadioKEX

The 1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 22nd season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Trail Blazers signed undrafted rookie point guard Robert Pack.[2][3]

The Trail Blazers struggled losing three of their first four games of the regular season, but soon recovered by winning 11 of their next 14 games. The team posted a six-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 32–14 record at the All-Star break.[4] The Trail Blazers posted a seven-game winning streak in March, and won their second consecutive Pacific Division title with a 57–25 record, which earned them the first seed in the Western Conference;[5] the team qualified for their tenth consecutive trip to the NBA playoffs.[6]

Clyde Drexler averaged 25.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game, contributed 114 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA First Team. In addition, Terry Porter averaged 18.1 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and led the Trail Blazers with 128 three-point field goals, while Jerome Kersey provided the team with 12.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, sixth man Clifford Robinson contributed 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game off the bench, and Buck Williams provided with 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Meanwhile, Kevin Duckworth averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while off the bench, Danny Ainge contributed 9.7 points per game, second-year forward Alaa Abdelnaby provided with 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, Pack contributed 4.6 points per game, and Mark Bryant averaged 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.[7]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Drexler was selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team.[8][9][10] Drexler also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls,[11][12] while Williams finished tied in sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[13][12] and head coach Rick Adelman finished tied in ninth place in Coach of the Year voting.[12]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Trail Blazers faced off against the 8th–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, a team that featured Byron Scott, Sedale Threatt and A.C. Green. The Lakers were without All-Star guard Magic Johnson, who had retired early into the regular season due to his HIV infection,[14][15][16] and were also without All-Star forward James Worthy, and Sam Perkins due to season-ending injuries. The Trail Blazers won the first two games over the Lakers at home at the Memorial Coliseum, before losing Game 3 on the road in overtime, 121–119 at the Great Western Forum. Game 4 of the series was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada, home of the NCAA's UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team, due to the 1992 Los Angeles riots;[17][18][19] the Trail Blazers defeated the Lakers, 102–76 to win the series in four games.[20][21][22] It was the first time that the Trail Blazers won an NBA playoff series over the Lakers since 1977, in which the team won an NBA championship; the Lakers had defeated the Trail Blazers in four playoff series since then, including most recently the 1991 Western Conference Finals.

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 4th–seeded Phoenix Suns, who were led by the All-Star trio of Kevin Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, and sixth man Dan Majerle. The Trail Blazers took a 2–0 series lead, before losing Game 3 to the Suns on the road, 124–117 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Trail Blazers won Game 4 over the Suns on the road in double-overtime, 153–151 to take a 3–1 series lead, and then won Game 5 at the Memorial Coliseum, 118–106 to win the series in five games.[23][24][25]

In the Western Conference Finals, and also for the second consecutive year, the Trail Blazers faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Malone. The Trail Blazers won the first two games over the Jazz at the Memorial Coliseum, but then lost the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 loss to the Jazz at the Delta Center, 121–112 as the Jazz evened the series. After winning Game 5 at the Memorial Coliseum in overtime, 127–121, the Trail Blazers won Game 6 over the Jazz at the Delta Center, 105–97 to win the series in six games, and earn their second trip to the NBA Finals in three years.[26][27][28]

In the 1992 NBA Finals, the Trail Blazers faced off against the top–seeded, and defending NBA champion Bulls, who were led by the trio of Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. After losing Game 1 to the Bulls on the road, 122–89 at the Chicago Stadium, the Trail Blazers managed to win Game 2 on the road in overtime, 115–104 to even the series. However, with the series tied at 2–2, the Trail Blazers lost Game 5 to the Bulls at home, 119–106 at the Memorial Coliseum, and then lost Game 6 at the Chicago Stadium, 97–93, thus losing the series in six games, as the Bulls won their second consecutive NBA championship.[29][30][31]

The Trail Blazers finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 528,408 at the Memorial Coliseum during the regular season.[7][32] Following the season, Ainge signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns,[33][34][35] and Pack was traded to the Denver Nuggets.[36][37] For the season, the Trail Blazers changed their primary logo, which showed the team's name next to red and black lines curling into each other,[38] and redesigned their uniforms.[39][40] The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2002.

As of 2025, this season was the last time the Trail Blazers had reached the NBA Finals.

Draft picks

Main article: 1991 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
2 54 Marcus Kennedy PF  United States Eastern Michigan

Roster

1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 31 Alaa Abdelnaby 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–06–24 Duke
SG 9 Danny Ainge 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1959–03–17 BYU
PF 2 Mark Bryant 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
C 42 Wayne Cooper 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1956–11–16 New Orleans
SG 22 Clyde Drexler 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
C 00 Kevin Duckworth 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1964–04–01 Eastern Illinois
SF 25 Jerome Kersey 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
PG 14 Robert Pack 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1969–02–03 USC
PG 30 Terry Porter 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
PF 3 Clifford Robinson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–12–16 Connecticut
SG 12 Lamont Strothers 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–05–10 Christopher Newport
SG 8 Ennis Whatley 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1962–08–11 Alabama
PF 52 Buck Williams 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695 — 33–8 24–17 21–9
x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2 31–10 24–17 19–11
x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4 36–5 17–24 17–13
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 28–13 19–22 16–14
x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12 29–12 16–25 13–17
x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14 24–17 19–22 13–17
Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28 21–20 8–33 6–24
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695 –
2 y-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 2
3 x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10
7 x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12
8 x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14
9 Houston Rockets 42 40 .512 15
10 Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28
11 Denver Nuggets 24 58 .293 33
12 Dallas Mavericks 22 60 .268 35
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 15 67 .183 42
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

Playoffs

1992 playoff game log
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 23 L.A. Lakers W 115–102 Clifford Robinson (24) Buck Williams (13) Clyde Drexler (10) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–0
2 April 25 L.A. Lakers W 101–79 Kevin Duckworth (19) Buck Williams (12) Terry Porter (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–0
3 April 29 @ L.A. Lakers L 119–121 (OT) Clyde Drexler (42) Buck Williams (13) Clyde Drexler (12) Great Western Forum
16,690 		2–1
4 May 3 @ L.A. Lakers W 102–76 Clyde Drexler (26) Buck Williams (11) Clyde Drexler (7) Thomas & Mack Center
15,478 		3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 5 Phoenix W 113–111 Terry Porter (31) Clyde Drexler (10) Terry Porter (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–0
2 May 7 Phoenix W 126–119 Porter, Drexler (27) Jerome Kersey (9) Clyde Drexler (13) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–0
3 May 9 @ Phoenix L 117–124 Clyde Drexler (37) Jerome Kersey (9) Terry Porter (11) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,496 		2–1
4 May 11 @ Phoenix W 153–151 (2OT) Clyde Drexler (33) Jerome Kersey (10) Terry Porter (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,496 		3–1
5 May 14 Phoenix W 118–106 Clyde Drexler (34) Kersey, Williams (12) Drexler, Kersey (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		4–1
Conference finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 16 Utah W 113–88 Terry Porter (26) Buck Williams (8) Drexler, Porter (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–0
2 May 19 Utah W 119–102 Terry Porter (41) Duckworth, Robinson (7) Clyde Drexler (12) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–0
3 May 22 @ Utah L 89–97 Drexler, Kersey (26) Kersey, Williams (9) Drexler, Porter (7) Delta Center
19,911 		2–1
4 May 24 @ Utah L 112–121 Terry Porter (34) Jerome Kersey (8) Terry Porter (7) Delta Center
19,911 		2–2
5 May 26 Utah W 127–121 (OT) Jerome Kersey (29) Buck Williams (12) Terry Porter (12) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		3–2
6 May 28 @ Utah W 105–97 three players tied (18) Buck Williams (8) Terry Porter (10) Delta Center
19,911 		4–2
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 3 @ Chicago L 89–122 Drexler, Robinson (16) Jerome Kersey (7) Clyde Drexler (7) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		0–1
2 June 5 @ Chicago W 115–104 (OT) Clyde Drexler (26) Buck Williams (14) Clyde Drexler (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		1–1
3 June 7 Chicago L 84–94 Clyde Drexler (32) Jerome Kersey (12) Terry Porter (4) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–2
4 June 10 Chicago W 93–88 Drexler, Kersey (21) Kevin Duckworth (11) Clyde Drexler (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–2
5 June 12 Chicago L 106–119 Clyde Drexler (30) Jerome Kersey (12) Terry Porter (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–3
6 June 14 @ Chicago L 93–97 Drexler, Kersey (24) Jerome Kersey (9) Terry Porter (8) Chicago Stadium
18,678 		2–4
1992 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Terry Porter 82 82 34.0 .461 .395 .856 3.1 5.8 1.5 .1 18.1
Kevin Duckworth 82 82 27.1 .461 .000 .690 6.1 1.2 .5 .5 10.7
Clifford Robinson 82 7 25.9 .466 .091 .664 5.1 1.7 1.0 1.3 12.4
Danny Ainge 81 6 19.7 .442 .339 .824 1.8 2.5 .9 .2 9.7
Buck Williams 80 80 31.5 .604 .000 .754 8.8 1.4 .8 .5 11.3
Jerome Kersey 77 76 33.2 .467 .125 .664 8.2 3.2 1.5 .9 12.6
Clyde Drexler 76 76 36.2 .470 .337 .794 6.6 6.7 1.8 .9 25.0
Robert Pack 72 0 12.4 .423 .000 .803 1.3 1.9 .6 .1 4.6
Alaa Abdelnaby 71 1 13.2 .493 .752 3.7 .4 .4 .2 6.1
Mark Bryant 56 0 14.3 .480 .000 .667 3.6 .7 .5 .1 4.1
Wayne Cooper 35 0 9.8 .427 .636 2.9 .6 .1 .8 2.2
Ennis Whatley 23 0 9.1 .412 .000 .871 .9 1.5 .6 .1 3.0
Danny Young† 18 0 7.4 .400 .300 .714 .5 1.1 .3 .0 2.5
Lamont Strothers 4 0 4.3 .333 .000 .500 .3 .3 .3 .3 2.5

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Terry Porter 21 21 41.4 .516 .474 .832 4.6 6.7 1.0 .1 21.4
Clyde Drexler 21 21 40.3 .466 .235 .807 7.4 7.0 1.5 1.0 26.3
Buck Williams 21 21 36.1 .508 .758 8.5 1.0 1.3 .8 9.6
Jerome Kersey 21 21 36.0 .510 .000 .693 7.7 3.6 2.0 .9 16.2
Kevin Duckworth 21 21 30.8 .495 .660 5.6 2.0 .5 .6 11.9
Clifford Robinson 21 0 24.9 .462 .167 .571 4.2 2.0 1.0 1.0 10.8
Danny Ainge 21 0 21.4 .479 .404 .830 1.9 2.3 .7 .0 10.6
Ennis Whatley 15 0 6.4 .300 .000 1.000 .7 .9 .5 .0 1.1
Robert Pack 14 0 3.7 .222 .750 .4 .5 .4 .1 .8
Mark Bryant 12 0 9.7 .345 .750 2.4 .1 .3 .0 1.9
Alaa Abdelnaby 8 0 3.1 .500 .500 .5 .3 .0 .0 1.5
Wayne Cooper 3 0 9.0 .500 2.7 .0 .0 1.0 1.3
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Trail Blazers only.

Player statistics citation:[7]

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ 1991-92 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 20, 1991). "Clippers Give Way in Second Half". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  9. ^ "1992 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Araton, Harvey (May 19, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; M.V.P., Yes. An Ambassador, No". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "Rodman Yields as Top NBA Defender". Chicago Tribune. April 30, 1992. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  14. ^ Stevenson, Richard W. (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Magic Johnson Ends His Career, Saying He Has AIDS Infection". The New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  15. ^ Heisler, Mark (November 8, 1991). "Magic Johnson's Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test: Sports: The Announcement Stuns His Public. The Lakers Star Emphasizes That He Does Not Have AIDS. "I Plan to Go on Living for a Long Time", He Says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  16. ^ Cannon, Lou; Cotton, Anthony (November 9, 1991). "Johnson's HIV Caused by Sex". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  17. ^ "KING CASE AFTERMATH: A CITY IN CRISIS: A Status Report". Los Angeles Times. May 2, 1992. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  18. ^ "Riots Force Lakers, Clippers From L.A." Tampa Bay Times. May 2, 1992. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  19. ^ Markazi, Arash (April 26, 2012). "1992 L.A. Riots: Chaos, Hope and Hoops". ESPN. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  20. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Long Lakers Season Comes to a Close". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1992. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 4, 1992). "Lakers Haven't the Vegas Idea How to Slow Runnin' Blazers: Game 4: Portland Is Simply Too Much for L.A. to Handle as Lakers' Strange Season Comes to an End, 102-76". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "1992 NBA Western Conference First Round: Lakers vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  23. ^ "Drexler Scores 34 as Trail Blazers Move Ahead: NBA: Portland Takes Series from Suns, 4-1, to Reach Western Finals Again, 118-106". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "Red-Hot Blazers Bop Suns". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 15, 1992. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  25. ^ "1992 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Suns vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  26. ^ Martinez, Michael (May 29, 1992). "Blazers Silence Jazz and Return to Finals". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  27. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 29, 1992). "Jazz Goes Cold, So Trail Blazers Have Final Word: West: Portland Wins Series by Ending Utah's Domination at the Delta Center, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "1992 NBA Western Conference Finals: Jazz vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  29. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1992). "With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  30. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 15, 1992). "Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "1992 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  32. ^ "1991–92 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  33. ^ "Ainge Blazes New Trail, Set to Sign with Suns". The Washington Post. July 2, 1992. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  34. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Blazers Add Strickland, But Lose Ainge". The New York Times. July 4, 1992. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Trail Blazers Lose Ainge, Sign Spurs' Strickland". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. July 4, 1992. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "Trail Blazers Trade Pack to Nuggets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 24, 1992. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  37. ^ Bembry, Jerry (December 15, 1995). "Going Fast Forward Robert Pack: Dumped by the Blazers and Nuggets, the Super-Quick Point Guard Pumps Life Into the Bullets". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  38. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  39. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  40. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
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