A researched consensus introduction to Jeff Hornacek's defining games.
Editorial methodology and sources
Cross-checked official NBA, Suns, and Jazz histories, career profiles, Finals-team retrospectives, playoff records, career highs, triple-double coverage, and archived box scores. The order balances Hornacek's essential role in Utah's first Finals breakthrough with his Phoenix conference-finals peak, then preserves his shooting summit and the complete playmaking game behind his lone All-Star season.
- #1. Hornacek scored 18 points with four rebounds, two threes, and a steal as Utah won 103–100 at Houston in 1997 Western Conference finals Game 6, helping deliver the franchise's first Finals berth on John Stockton's buzzer-beater. NBA: Hornacek and Utah's 1997 Finals breakthrough · NBA official Jazz–Rockets Game 6 box score
- #2. Hornacek erupted for a playoff-career-high 36 points with six assists, five rebounds, and four steals in 1990 Western Conference finals Game 6, a brilliant elimination-game stand even as Portland ended Phoenix's breakthrough run 112–109. Suns: Jeff Hornacek's six-season Phoenix rise · NBA official Suns–Trail Blazers Game 6 box score
- #3. Hornacek scored 13 points and made a fourth-quarter three as Utah beat Chicago 78–73 in 1997 Finals Game 4, evening the series and earning the Jazz franchise's first home Finals victory. NBA: Utah's 1997 Finals team retrospective · NBA official Bulls–Jazz Finals Game 4 box score
- #4. Hornacek set career highs with 40 points and eight three-pointers while adding four assists and two steals as Utah beat Seattle 113–103, the clearest single-game expression of the shooting craft that later produced two Three-Point Contest titles. NBA official Jeff Hornacek career highs · NBA official SuperSonics–Jazz box score
- #5. Hornacek assembled 31 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds, two steals, and four threes as Phoenix won 131–111 at Charlotte, the fullest all-around game of his lone All-Star season and his highest-scoring career triple-double. Suns: Jeff Hornacek's 31-point triple-double · NBA official Suns–Hornets box score
Reviewed through 2026-07-18