1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 48th season for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association, and their 29th season in Atlanta, Georgia.^[1] During this season, Hawks owner Ted Turner was the then-vice chairman of Time Warner after acquiring Turner Broadcasting System.^[2][3][4] In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by signing free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo.^[5][6][7] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Tyrone Corbin and Willie Burton; Corbin previously played for the Hawks during the 1994–95 season.^[8][9][10] The team also signed Eldridge Recasner, and former Georgia Tech University guard Jon Barry.^[11][12]

1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season
Head coach	Lenny Wilkens
General manager	Pete Babcock
Owners	Ted Turner / Turner Broadcasting System
Arena	Omni Coliseum
Results
Record	56–26 (.683)
Place	Division: 2nd (Central) Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Conference Semi-finals (lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	WATL Fox Sports South
Radio	WCNN
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the regular season, but soon played above .500 basketball as the team signed three-point specialist Henry James in December,^[12] and later on released Burton to free agency in January after playing 24 games. The Hawks posted a 14–2 record in January, which included a ten-game winning streak,^[13] then later on held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break,^[14] and posted a 7-game winning streak in March; the team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12, 1996 to February 12, 1997.^[15][16]

The Hawks finished in second place in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, and earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year; the team also posted a successful 36–5 home record at the Omni Coliseum, which was the third-best in the league.^[17][18] The Hawks had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.^[19]

Mutombo averaged 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.^[20][21][22] In addition, Steve Smith led the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game and contributed 130 three-point field goals, while Christian Laettner averaged 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, Mookie Blaylock provided the team with 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game, led the Hawks with 221 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Corbin contributed 9.5 points and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, James contributed 6.7 points per game, and second-year forward Alan Henderson averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game,^[23] but only played just 30 games due to a mysterious illness known as "acute viral pancreatitis".^[24][25][26]

Mutombo and Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, which was Laettner's only All-Star appearance.^[27][28][29] Mutombo also finished tied in thirteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Smith finished tied in seventeenth place;^[30] Blaylock finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,^[30] and head coach Lenny Wilkens finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.^[30]

In the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Hawks would be put to the test as they faced off against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference First Round; the Pistons took a 2–1 series lead,^[31][32][33] but the Hawks managed to win the next two games, thus winning the series in five games.^[34][35][36] However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, as they lost the series in five games,^[37][38][39] despite winning Game 2 on the road at the United Center, 103–95.^[40][41][42] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the 1997 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship, and their fifth championship in seven years.^[43][44][45]

The Hawks finished 27th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 549,414 at the Omni Coliseum, which was the third-lowest during the regular season.^[23][46] This was also the Hawks' final season playing at "The Omni", which was scheduled for demolition after the season,^[47][48][49] and hosted its final game in a Game 4 loss to the Bulls during the second round of the playoffs, 89–80 on May 11, 1997.^[50][51][52]

Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,^[53] while James re-signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers,^[54] and Ken Norman, who only played just 17 games this season due to a back injury, retired.^[55]

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	28	Priest Lauderdale (from Seattle)[56]	Center	United States	Peristeri BC (Greece)

Roster

1996–97 Atlanta Hawks roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From G 17 Jon Barry 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1969–07–25 Georgia Tech G 10 Mookie Blaylock 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1967–03–20 Oklahoma F 33 Tyrone Corbin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–31 DePaul F 35 Darrin Hancock 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1971–11–03 Kansas F 44 Alan Henderson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–12–02 Indiana F 42 Henry James 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–07–29 Saint Mary's F/C 32 Christian Laettner 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1969–08–17 Duke C 15 Priest Lauderdale 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1973–08–31 Central State F 2 Anthony Miller  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1971–10–22 Michigan State C 55 Dikembe Mutombo 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1966–06–25 Georgetown F 28 Ivano Newbill 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–12–12 Georgia Tech F 3 Ken Norman  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–09–05 Illinois G 5 Eldridge Recasner 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–12–14 Washington G 8 Steve Smith 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1969–03–31 Michigan State

Head coach Lenny Wilkens Assistant(s) Bill Hanzlik Dick Helm Gary Wortman Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster

Roster Notes

• Shooting guard Donnie Boyce was waived on March 4, 1997.
• Small forward Willie Burton was waived on January 7, 1997.
• Small forward Darrin Hancock played in two separate stints with the Hawks during the regular season; he was signed by the team after being waived by the Phoenix Suns, who acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks. After the Hawks waived him, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs, where he would only play just one game for them before being released, and re-signed by the Hawks for the remainder of the season.^[57]
• Rookie center Priest Lauderdale holds both American and Bulgarian dual citizenship.

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–	39–2	30–11	24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13	36–5	20–21	17–11
x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27	25–16	17–24	13–15
Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30	21–20	18–23	11–17
Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36	20–21	13–28	10–18
Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39	18–23	12–29	6–22

^[58]

1996–97 NBA East standings

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–
2	y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	8
3	x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	12
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13
5	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15
6	x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15
7	x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	24
8	x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	25
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27
10	Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30
11	Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36
12	Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39
13	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	43
14	Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	47
15	Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	54

z = clinched division title

y = clinched division title

x = clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1996–97 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	TOR	UTA	VAN	WAS
Atlanta	–	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–1
Boston	1–3	–	0–4	0–4	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–4
Charlotte	3–1	4–0	–	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–2	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	3–1
Chicago	3–1	4–0	4–0	–	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1
Cleveland	1–3	2–1	1–3	1–3	–	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Dallas	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	–	3–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	0–2
Denver	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	–	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1
Detroit	3–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	–	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–2	2–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
Golden State	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	–	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	1–3	4–0	0–4	2–0	0–4	3–1	0–2
Houston	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	4–0	–	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0
Indiana	1–3	2–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	–	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–3
L.A. Clippers	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	–	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	1–3	4–0	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	2–2	–	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–3	4–0	2–0
Miami	2–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	–	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
Milwaukee	0–4	3–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	–	0–2	2–1	1–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Minnesota	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	4–0	0–2	3–1	0–4	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	–	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	–	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
New York	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–2	–	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–0	1–1	2–0	4–0
Orlando	1–3	4–0	2–1	0–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	–	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–3
Philadelphia	0–4	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–3	0–2	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–3	2–2	–	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
Phoenix	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	–	1–3	4–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
Portland	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	–	2–2	4–0	1–3	0–2	2–2	4–0	0–2
Sacramento	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	–	3–1	1–3	1–1	0–4	4–0	0–2
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–3	–	0–4	1–1	1–3	1–3	0–2
Seattle	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	–	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Toronto	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	3–0	0–3	0–4	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	–	1–1	1–1	2–2
Utah	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	–	4–0	2–0
Vancouver	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–4	–	1–1
Washington	1–2	4–0	1–3	1–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

1996–97 game log Total: 56–26 (home: 36–5; road: 20–21)
November: 9–7 (home: 4–1; road: 5–6) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 1 November 1 @ Miami Heat L 81-94 Miami Arena 15,133 0–1 2 November 2 Detroit Pistons L 78-90 Omni Coliseum 16,378 0–2 3 November 4 @ Portland Trail Blazers W 94-76 Rose Garden Arena 21,567 1–2 4 November 5 @ Seattle SuperSonics W 117-95 KeyArena at Seattle Center 17,072 2-2 5 November 7 @ Sacramento Kings W 91-87 ARCO Arena 17,317 3–2 6 November 10 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 85-92 Great Western Forum 16,097 3-3 7 November 12 Cleveland Cavaliers W 87-83 Omni Coliseum 4–3 8 November 13 @ Boston Celtics L 85-103 FleetCenter 13,184 4-4 9 November 15 Miami Heat W 85-77 Omni Coliseum 16,378 5–4 10 November 16 @ Chicago Bulls L 69-97 United Center 23,939 5-5 11 November 19 @ Cleveland Cavaliers L 63-73 Gund Arena 14,182 5–6 12 November 21 @ Milwaukee Bucks W 73-65 Bradley Center 14,698 6-6 13 November 23 @ Toronto Raptors W 91-88 SkyDome 16,838 7–6 14 November 26 Vancouver Grizzlies W 101-80 Omni Coliseum 8–6 15 November 27 @ Orlando Magic L 75-79 Orlando Arena 17,248 8–7 16 November 29 Washington Bullets W 110-81 Omni Coliseum 12,457 9–7
December: 7–4 (home: 6–0; road: 1–4) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 17 December 3 Boston Celtics W 105-95 Omni Coliseum 10–7 18 December 4 @ Detroit Pistons L 90-100 The Palace of Auburn Hills 14,574 10–8 19 December 7 Toronto Raptors W 101-75 Omni Coliseum 11,422 11–8 20 December 10 Denver Nuggets W 89-88 Omni Coliseum 12–8 21 December 14 Philadelphia 76ers W 106-81 Omni Coliseum 12,473 13–8 22 December 17 @ Dallas Mavericks W 109-73 Reunion Arena 14,805 14–8 23 December 20 New Jersey Nets W 109-95 Omni Coliseum 12,884 15–8 24 December 21 @ Charlotte Hornets L 93-98 Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 15–9 25 December 23 @ New York Knicks L 76-82 Madison Square Garden 19,763 15–10 26 December 26 Chicago Bulls W 108-103 Omni Coliseum 16,378 16–10 27 December 28 @ Washington Bullets L 86-97 US Airways Arena 11,797 16–11
January: 14–2 (home: 9–0; road: 5–2) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 28 January 3 @ New Jersey Nets W 95-85 Continental Airlines Arena 14,310 17–11 29 January 4 New York Knicks W 88-71 Omni Coliseum 16,378 18–11 30 January 7 Phoenix Suns W 105-103 (OT) Omni Coliseum 19–11 31 January 9 @ Orlando Magic W 97-92 (OT) Orlando Arena 17,248 20–11 32 January 11 San Antonio Spurs W 87-82 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,877 21–11 33 January 13 @ Cleveland Cavaliers W 93-79 Gund Arena 14,565 22–11 34 January 14 Minnesota Timberwolves W 95-93 Omni Coliseum 14,032 23–11 35 January 16 Orlando Magic W 78-67 Omni Coliseum 16,378 24–11 36 January 18 Milwaukee Bucks W 94-71 Omni Coliseum 16,378 25–11 37 January 20 Charlotte Hornets W 106-97 Omni Coliseum 16,378 26–11 38 January 21 @ Miami Heat L 91-94 Miami Arena 14,853 26–12 39 January 24 Washington Bullets W 117-105 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,325 27–12 40 January 25 Boston Celtics W 95-90 Omni Coliseum 16,378 28–12 41 January 28 @ Los Angeles Clippers W 112-96 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 29–12 42 January 30 @ Utah Jazz L 96-102 Delta Center 19,911 29–13 43 January 31 @ Vancouver Grizzlies W 87-76 General Motors Place 15,205 30–13
February: 8–5 (home: 5–2; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 44 February 2 @ Denver Nuggets L 104-115 McNichols Sports Arena 13,122 30–14 45 February 4 @ Golden State Warriors W 107-85 San Jose Arena 13,111 31–14 46 February 5 @ Phoenix Suns L 81-99 America West Arena 19,023 31–15 47 February 12 Toronto Raptors W 106-84 Omni Coliseum 13,846 32–15 48 February 14 Chicago Bulls L 88-89 Omni Coliseum 16,378 32–16 49 February 15 @ San Antonio Spurs W 109-89 Alamodome 26,809 33–16 50 February 17 @ Houston Rockets L 98-127 The Summit 16,285 33–17 51 February 19 Indiana Pacers W 100-87 Omni Coliseum 16,378 34–17 52 February 21 Houston Rockets W 76-74 Omni Coliseum 16,378 35–17 53 February 22 Charlotte Hornets L 92-93 Omni Coliseum 16,378 35–18 54 February 24 Golden State Warriors W 106-100 Omni Coliseum 15,660 36–18 55 February 26 @ Milwaukee Bucks W 79-72 Bradley Center 13,285 37–18 56 February 28 Los Angeles Lakers W 86-75 Omni Coliseum 16,378 38–18
March: 12–4 (home: 9–1; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 57 March 2 @ Detroit Pistons L 75-82 The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 38–19 58 March 4 Cleveland Cavaliers W 93-88 Omni Coliseum 15,404 39–19 59 March 6 @ Philadelphia 76ers W 117-104 CoreStates Center 13,802 40–19 60 March 7 Milwaukee Bucks W 90-80 Omni Coliseum 14,906 41–19 61 March 9 @ Boston Celtics W 114-90 FleetCenter 16,931 42–19 62 March 11 Utah Jazz W 106-99 Omni Coliseum 14,475 43–19 63 March 12 @ Indiana Pacers L 82-92 Market Square Arena 14,824 43–20 64 March 14 Seattle SuperSonics L 91-97 Omni Coliseum 16,378 43–21 65 March 15 @ Chicago Bulls L 79-99 United Center 23,984 43–22 66 March 17 Orlando Magic W 112-107 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,708 44–22 67 March 19 Indiana Pacers W 107-95 Omni Coliseum 14,099 45–22 68 March 21 Dallas Mavericks W 93-72 Omni Coliseum 13,809 46–22 69 March 23 @ Toronto Raptors W 90-79 SkyDome 18,533 47–22 70 March 25 Portland Trail Blazers W 96-89 Omni Coliseum 15,256 48–22 71 March 27 Los Angeles Clippers W 103-88 Omni Coliseum 13,876 49–22 72 March 29 Sacramento Kings W 88-74 Omni Coliseum 14,942 50–22
April: 6–4 (home: 3–1; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 73 April 2 @ Charlotte Hornets L 84-95 Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 50–23 74 April 4 Detroit Pistons W 103-89 Omni Coliseum 16,378 51–23 75 April 5 New York Knicks L 97-102 Omni Coliseum 16,378 51–24 76 April 9 @ Philadelphia 76ers W 116-101 CoreStates Center 16,549 52–24 77 April 11 @ Indiana Pacers W 104-92 Market Square Arena 16,403 53–24 78 April 12 @ Minnesota Timberwolves W 80-66 Target Center 18,874 54–24 79 April 15 New Jersey Nets W 109-101 Omni Coliseum 14,458 55–24 80 April 16 @ New York Knicks L 92-96 Madison Square Garden 19,763 55–25 81 April 19 Philadelphia 76ers W 136-104 Omni Coliseum 16,457 56–25 82 April 20 @ New Jersey Nets L 92-108 Continental Airlines Arena 18,702 56–26
1996–97 season schedule

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 25 Detroit W 89–75 Dikembe Mutombo (26) Dikembe Mutombo (15) Christian Laettner (4) Omni Coliseum 15,795 1–0 2 April 27 Detroit L 80–93 Steve Smith (22) Mookie Blaylock (9) Mookie Blaylock (7) Omni Coliseum 16,378 1–1 3 April 29 @ Detroit L 91–99 Christian Laettner (25) Dikembe Mutombo (21) Mookie Blaylock (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,059 1–2 4 May 2 @ Detroit W 94–82 Steve Smith (28) Mutombo, Laettner (12) Mookie Blaylock (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 2–2 5 May 4 Detroit W 84–79 Christian Laettner (23) Mutombo, Blaylock (9) Blaylock, Corbin (5) Omni Coliseum 16,378 3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 6 @ Chicago L 97–100 Mookie Blaylock (31) Mookie Blaylock (12) Christian Laettner (6) United Center 24,397 0–1 2 May 8 @ Chicago W 103–95 Steve Smith (27) Dikembe Mutombo (15) Mookie Blaylock (9) United Center 24,544 1–1 3 May 10 Chicago L 80–100 Dikembe Mutombo (16) Dikembe Mutombo (13) Mookie Blaylock (6) Omni Coliseum 16,378 1–2 4 May 11 Chicago L 80–89 Christian Laettner (21) Christian Laettner (12) Mookie Blaylock (4) Omni Coliseum 16,378 1–3 5 May 13 @ Chicago L 92–107 Christian Laettner (23) Dikembe Mutombo (12) Mookie Blaylock (8) United Center 24,544 1–4
1997 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

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Derrick Alston	2	0	5.5	.000	.	.000	2.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Jon Barry	58	8	16.6	.407	.387	.804	1.7	2.0	.9	.1	4.9
Mookie Blaylock	78	78	39.2	.432	.366	.753	5.3	5.9	2.7	.3	17.4
Donnie Boyce	22	2	7.0	.333	.125	.500	.7	.6	.5	.2	2.5
Willie Burton	24	2	15.8	.336	.283	.838	1.7	.5	.3	.1	6.2
Tyrone Corbin	70	65	32.9	.422	.356	.796	4.2	1.8	1.3	.1	9.5
Darrin Hancock	14	0	6.1	.481	.	.667	.9	.5	.5	.1	2.4
Alan Henderson	30	0	16.7	.475	.	.600	3.9	.8	.7	.2	6.6
Henry James	53	15	17.8	.408	.420	.833	1.5	.4	.2	.0	6.7
Christian Laettner	82	82	38.3	.486	.352	.816	8.8	2.7	1.2	.8	18.1
Priest Lauderdale	35	0	5.1	.551	.000	.565	1.2	.3	.0	.3	3.2
Anthony Miller	1	0	14.0	.000	.	.	7.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Dikembe Mutombo	80	80	37.2	.527	.	.705	11.6	1.4	.6	3.3	13.3
Ivano Newbill	72	2	11.8	.440	.	.385	2.8	.3	.4	.2	1.4
Ken Norman	17	0	12.9	.287	.158	.333	2.3	.7	.4	.2	3.8
Eldridge Recasner	71	4	17.0	.423	.414	.879	1.6	1.3	.5	.1	5.7
Steve Smith	72	72	39.1	.429	.335	.847	3.3	4.2	.9	.3	20.1

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Jon Barry	2	0	4.5	.000	.000	.	.	.	.	.	.
Mookie Blaylock	10	10	44.1	.396	.329	.667	7.0	6.5	2.1	.2	16.4
Tyrone Corbin	10	10	36.4	.457	.351	1.000	4.3	2.0	.4	.2	10.6
Darrin Hancock	6	0	5.5	.400	.000	.000	.8	.2	.2	.2	.7
Alan Henderson	10	0	13.6	.559	.	.769	3.3	.	.1	.3	5.8
Henry James	8	0	5.6	.231	.333	.	.1	.3	.1	.	1.0
Christian Laettner	10	10	40.3	.405	.190	.857	7.2	2.6	1.0	.8	17.6
Priest Lauderdale	3	0	2.3	.000	.	.	.7	.	.	.	.
Dikembe Mutombo	10	10	41.5	.628	.	.719	12.3	1.3	.1	2.6	15.4
Ivano Newbill	3	0	1.7	.	.	.	.3	.3	.	.	.
Eldridge Recasner	10	0	12.1	.423	.364	.625	1.1	.9	.2	.	3.1
Steve Smith	10	10	42.1	.396	.327	.824	3.9	1.7	.4	.1	18.9

Player Statistics Citation:^[23]

Awards and records

Awards

• Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Dikembe Mutombo, NBA All-Defensive First Team
• Mookie Blaylock, NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Records

Transactions

Trades

July 15, 1996

• Traded Stacey Augmon, and Grant Long to the Detroit Pistons for a 1997 second round draft pick, a 1999 first round draft pick, and a 1999 second round draft pick.

Free agents

July 15, 1996

• Signed Dikembe Mutombo as a free agent.

August 13, 1996

• Signed Jon Barry as a free agent.

September 12, 1996

• Signed Willie Burton as a free agent.
• Signed Tyrone Corbin as a free agent.

September 27, 1996

• Signed Eldridge Recasner as a free agent.

October 2, 1996

• Signed Ivano Newbill as a free agent.
• Signed Melvin Booker as a free agent.

October 28, 1996

• Waived Willie Burton.
• Waived Melvin Booker.

November 13, 1996

• Signed Derrick Alston as a free agent.

November 14, 1996

• Signed Willie Burton as a free agent.
• Signed Anthony Miller as a free agent.

November 26, 1996

• Waived Derrick Alston.

December 20, 1996

• Signed Henry James as a free agent.

January 2, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock as a free agent.

January 7, 1997

• Waived Darrin Hancock.
• Waived Willie Burton.

March 4, 1997

• Waived Donnie Boyce.

March 5, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock to the first of two 10-day contracts.

March 25, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock to a contract for the rest of the season.

Additions Player Signed Former team Dikembe Mutombo Denver Nuggets

Subtractions Player Left New team

Player Transactions Citation:^[59]

See also

• 1996–97 NBA season