1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 1992–93 NBA season was the 23rd season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. During the off-season, the Cavaliers signed free agent Gerald Wilkins,  and then traded Steve Kerr to the Orlando Magic during the first month of the regular season. The Cavaliers struggled with an 8–11 start, but then went on a 7-game winning streak afterwards in December. The Cavs also had a 12–1 record in February, held a 34–19 record at the All-Star break, then posted a ten-game winning streak in April, finishing 2nd in the Central Division with a 54–28 record, while posting a very successful 35–6 home record.

Brad Daugherty led the team averaging 20.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while Mark Price averaged 18.2 points and led the team with 8.0 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and Larry Nance averaged 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Craig Ehlo provided the team with 11.6 points per game, while Wilkins contributed 11.1 points per game, and sixth man Hot Rod Williams provided with 11.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game off the bench. Daugherty, Price and Nance were all selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game. Price also won the Three-Point Shootout during the All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah,  and finished tied in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting,   while head coach Lenny Wilkens finished in eighth place in Coach of the Year voting.

In the Eastern Conference First Round, the Cavaliers defeated the New Jersey Nets in five games,   but were swept in four straight games by the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. The Bulls would go on to defeat the Phoenix Suns in six games in the NBA Finals, winning their third consecutive championship. Following the season, Wilkens resigned and took a coaching job with the Atlanta Hawks,  while Ehlo signed as a free agent with the Hawks,   and Mike Sanders retired.

A forgotten highlight of the season was a game between the Cavaliers, and the Indiana Pacers at Market Square Arena on January 15, 1993. After trailing to the Pacers at halftime, 64–49, the Cavaliers rallied and set a franchise record by scoring 83 points in the second half to win the game, 132–120.

Until 2024, this was the last time the Cavaliers won a playoff series without future All-Star LeBron James, who was selected by the team as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Draft picks
The Cavaliers had no draft picks in 1992.

Season standings

 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot


 * z – clinched division title
 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * November 6, 1992 8:00p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 96–101
 * Nance (24)
 * Daugherty (12)
 * Price (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * November 8, 1992
 * Charlotte
 * W 127–107
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 1–1
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3 || November 10, 1992 || Washington
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4 || November 12, 1992 || @ Golden State
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5 || November 13, 1992 || @ Portland
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 6 || November 15, 1992 || @ Sacramento
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 17, 1992
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 95–106
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 3–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 19, 1992
 * @ Houston
 * L 92–99
 * The Summit
 * 3–5
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 9 || November 21, 1992 || @ Dallas
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 10 || November 24, 1992 || Milwaukee
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 11 || November 25, 1992 || @ Milwaukee
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 12 || November 27, 1992 7:30 pm EST || Atlanta
 * W 122–101
 * Price, Wilkins (20)
 * Nance (14)
 * Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 6–6
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 13 || November 28, 1992 || @ Orlando
 * 12 || November 27, 1992 7:30 pm EST || Atlanta
 * W 122–101
 * Price, Wilkins (20)
 * Nance (14)
 * Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 6–6
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 13 || November 28, 1992 || @ Orlando


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14 || December 1, 1992 || Boston
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * December 3, 1992
 * New York
 * W 100–90
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 8–7
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16 || December 5, 1992 || Portland
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17
 * December 8, 1992
 * L.A. Clippers
 * L 106–115
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 8–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 9, 1992 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 91–108
 * Ferry (16)
 * Daugherty (8)
 * Brandon, Wilkins (4)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,142
 * 8–10
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 19 || December 11, 1992 || @ Detroit
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 12, 1992
 * Seattle
 * W 97–93
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 10–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 15, 1992
 * Houston
 * W 124–97
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 11–10
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 22 || December 16, 1992 || @ Philadelphia
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 23 || December 18, 1992 || Sacramento
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * December 19, 1992
 * Utah
 * W 121–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 14–10
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 25 || December 21, 1992 || @ Washington
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 26 || December 23, 1992 || Indiana
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 26, 1992
 * New Jersey
 * L 114–119
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 15–12
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 28 || December 28, 1992 || Detroit
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 29 || December 29, 1992 7:30 pm EST || @ Atlanta
 * W 114–96
 * Daugherty ,Nance (22)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Price (7)
 * The Omni 10,703
 * 17–12
 * December 26, 1992
 * New Jersey
 * L 114–119
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 15–12
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 28 || December 28, 1992 || Detroit
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 29 || December 29, 1992 7:30 pm EST || @ Atlanta
 * W 114–96
 * Daugherty ,Nance (22)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Price (7)
 * The Omni 10,703
 * 17–12
 * Price (7)
 * The Omni 10,703
 * 17–12


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * January 2, 1993
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 106–91
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 18–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 5, 1993
 * @ New York
 * L 91–95
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 18–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 6, 1993 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 117–95
 * Price (30)
 * Daugherty (12)
 * Price (13)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 19–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 33 || January 9, 1993 || Minnesota
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 34 || January 12, 1993 || Boston
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 13, 1993
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 98–104
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 20–15
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 36 || January 15, 1993 || @ Indiana
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37 || January 16, 1993 7:30 pm EST || Atlanta
 * W 127–99
 * Nance (20)
 * Nance (14)
 * Brandon (9)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 22–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 20, 1993 7:30p.m. EST
 * Phoenix
 * W 123–119
 * Price (26)
 * Daugherty (17)
 * Daugherty (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 23–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 22, 1993
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 100–92
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 24–15
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 40 || January 23, 1993 || @ Denver
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 26, 1993
 * @ Utah
 * L 96–113
 * Delta Center
 * 24–17
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 42 || January 28, 1993 || Orlando
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 43 || January 30, 1993 || @ Miami
 * 40 || January 23, 1993 || @ Denver
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 26, 1993
 * @ Utah
 * L 96–113
 * Delta Center
 * 24–17
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 42 || January 28, 1993 || Orlando
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 43 || January 30, 1993 || @ Miami
 * 42 || January 28, 1993 || Orlando
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 43 || January 30, 1993 || @ Miami


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 44 || February 2, 1993 || Golden State
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 45 || February 3, 1993 || @ Milwaukee
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46 || February 5, 1993 || Detroit
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 47 || February 6, 1993 7:30 pm EST || @ Atlanta
 * W 120–109
 * Daugherty (28)
 * Nance (11)
 * Price (7)
 * The Omni 15,381
 * 29–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 9, 1993
 * @ Charlotte
 * W 107–103
 * Charlotte Coliseum
 * 30–18
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 49 || February 10, 1993 || @ Orlando
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 50 || February 12, 1993 || Milwaukee
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 13, 1993 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * W 116–111
 * Daugherty (25)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Price (10)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 32–19
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 52 || February 15, 1993 || Indiana
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 53 || February 17, 1993 || Dallas
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 54 || February 23, 1993 || Miami
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 26, 1993
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 114–102
 * Great Western Forum
 * 36–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * February 28, 1993 3:30p.m. EST
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 101–94
 * Nance, Price (21)
 * Nance (17)
 * Price (11)
 * America West Arena 19,023
 * 37–19
 * W 101–94
 * Nance, Price (21)
 * Nance (17)
 * Price (11)
 * America West Arena 19,023
 * 37–19


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * March 2, 1993
 * @ Seattle
 * L 105–108
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 37–20
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 58 || March 4, 1993 || @ Minnesota
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 59 || March 7, 1993 || @ Boston
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 60 || March 8, 1993 || Denver
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 11, 1993
 * Charlotte
 * W 118–99
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 40–21
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 62 || March 15, 1993 || @ Washington
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 63 || March 16, 1993 || Philadelphia
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 18, 1993
 * New York
 * L 95–115
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 41–23
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 65 || March 20, 1993 || @ Miami
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * March 23, 1993
 * San Antonio
 * L 95–115
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 42–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67 || March 26, 1993 || @ Philadelphia
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68 || March 28, 1993 || @ Detroit
 * March 23, 1993
 * San Antonio
 * L 95–115
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 42–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67 || March 26, 1993 || @ Philadelphia
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68 || March 28, 1993 || @ Detroit
 * 67 || March 26, 1993 || @ Philadelphia
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68 || March 28, 1993 || @ Detroit


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * April 1, 1993
 * @ New York
 * L 83–91
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 43–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * April 2, 1993
 * @ Charlotte
 * L 113–114
 * Charlotte Coliseum
 * 43–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * April 4, 1993
 * New Jersey
 * W 105–99
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 44–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 72 || April 6, 1993 || Miami
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 73 || April 9, 1993 || Washington
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * April 10, 1993
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 100–99
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 47–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75 || April 13, 1993 7:30 pm EDT || @ Atlanta
 * W 112–109 (2 OT)
 * Price (24)
 * Daugherty (17)
 * Daugherty, Price (7)
 * The Omni 9,450
 * 48–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 76 || April 15, 1993 || @ Milwaukee
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 77 || April 16, 1993 || Orlando
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 18, 1993 5:30p.m. EDT
 * Chicago
 * W 103–94
 * Nance (19)
 * Nance (12)
 * Price (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 51–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 79 || April 20, 1993 || Detroit
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 80 || April 21, 1993 || @ Indiana
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 81 || April 23, 1993 || @ Boston
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 82 || April 25, 1993 || Philadelphia
 * Nance (12)
 * Price (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 51–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 79 || April 20, 1993 || Detroit
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 80 || April 21, 1993 || @ Indiana
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 81 || April 23, 1993 || @ Boston
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 82 || April 25, 1993 || Philadelphia

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 29, 1993
 * New Jersey
 * W 114–98
 * Ehlo (16)
 * Daugherty (14)
 * Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 18,339
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 1, 1993
 * New Jersey
 * L 99–101
 * Nance, Price (17)
 * Nance (12)
 * Price (11)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 5, 1993
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 93–84
 * Nance (23)
 * Nance (17)
 * Price (4)
 * Brendan Byrne Arena 16,453
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 7, 1993
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 79–96
 * Daugherty (29)
 * Daugherty, Ferry, Nance, Williams (5)
 * Price (6)
 * Brendan Byrne Arena 15,238
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * May 9, 1993
 * New Jersey
 * W 99–89
 * Daugherty (24)
 * Daugherty (20)
 * Daugherty (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 17,388
 * 3–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * May 11, 1993 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 84–91
 * wilkins (19)
 * Daugherty, Nance (8)
 * Daugherty (6)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 13, 1993 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 85–104
 * Nance (16)
 * Daugherty, Nance (7)
 * Price (8)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * May 15, 1993 2:30p.m. EDT
 * Chicago
 * L 90–96
 * Nance (24)
 * Daugherty (11)
 * Daugherty, Ehol, Price (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,273
 * 0–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 17, 1993 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Chicago
 * L 101–103
 * Daugherty (25)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Price, Wilkins (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,274
 * 0–4

Playoffs
Player Statistics Citation:

Awards and records

 * Mark Price, All-NBA First Team
 * Larry Nance, NBA All-Defensive Second Team