# 1996–97 Utah Jazz season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Jazz's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 18th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to the start of the season, the Jazz changed their primary logo that more closely reflects the state of Utah, featuring purple mountains and light blue in the script, plus adding new uniforms.
The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they went on a 15-game winning streak between November and December after a 2–2 start to the season. With a 33–14 record at mid-season, the Jazz then posted a 31–4 record after the All-Star break, where they posted another 15-game winning streak between March and April, winning 19 of their final 20 games, and finishing in first place in the Midwest Division, and in the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64–18. They made their fourteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The team also had the second best home record in the league with a 38–3 record at the Delta Center.
Karl Malone averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the Year, finishing in first place ahead of Michael Jordan in Most Valuable Player voting, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Jeff Hornacek averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while John Stockton provided the team with 14.4 points, 10.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Meanwhile Bryon Russell showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 10.8 points and 1.4 steals per game, while second-year center Greg Ostertag averaged 7.3 points and rebounds per game each, and led the team with 2.0 blocks per game, and Antoine Carr contributed 7.4 points per game off the bench.
Malone and Stockton were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio. Stockton also finished in fifteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and head coach Jerry Sloan finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.
In the playoffs, the Jazz got off to a flying start in the Western Conference First Round, sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in three straight games. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they continued to roll easily knocking the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one.
In the Western Conference Finals, they took a 2–0 series lead over the Houston Rockets, who were led by Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. However, the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece, as Rockets forward Eddie Johnson hit a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer to win Game 4, 95–92. After the Jazz took Game 5 at home, 96–91, Game 6 would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime, until Stockton nailed a three-point buzzer beater that launched the Jazz to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Rockets on the road, 103–100. In their first trip to the finals, the Jazz lost in six games to Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the defending champion Chicago Bulls.
One notable highlight of the season was the Jazz trailing 70–36 at halftime to the Denver Nuggets at home on November 27, 1996, but came back from a 34-point deficit, outscoring the Nuggets 71–33 in the second half to win the game, 107–103. The Jazz's new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2004.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 25 | Martin Müürsepp | PF/SF | Estonia | |
| 2 | 54 | Shandon Anderson | SF/SG | United States | Georgia |

## Roster
### Roster Notes

* Small forward Jamie Watson was waived on March 5, 1997.

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Midwest Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 38–3 | 26–15 | 19–5 |
| x-Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 | 30–11 | 27–14 | 19–5 |
| x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 | 25–16 | 15–26 | 16–8 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40 | 14–27 | 10–31 | 9–15 |
| Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 43 | 12–29 | 9–32 | 7–17 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44 | 12–29 | 8–33 | 8–16 |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 | 8–33 | 6–35 | 6–18 |
1996–97 NBA West standings :
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | c-Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | – |
| 2 | y-Seattle SuperSonics | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 |
| 3 | x-Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 |
| 4 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 56 | 26 | .683 | 8 |
| 5 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 15 |
| 6 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 |
| 7 | x-Phoenix Suns | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 |
| 8 | x-Los Angeles Clippers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 |
| 9 | Sacramento Kings | 34 | 48 | .415 | 30 |
| 10 | Golden State Warriors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 34 |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40 |
| 12 | Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 43 |
| 13 | San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44 |
| 14 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 |
    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 | PHX | 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
## Game log
### Regular season

1996–97 game log Total: 64–18 (home: 38–3; road: 26–15) :
November: 11–2 (home: 8–1; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
November 1 7:00 p.m. MST
Seattle
W 99–91
Malone (27)
Malone (13)
Hornacek, Stockton (8)
Delta Center 19,911
1–0
2
November 2
@ L.A. Clippers
W 95–90
Malone (21)
Malone (12)
Stockton (7)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 13,041
2–0
3
November 4 7:00 p.m. MST
Houston
L 72–75
Malone (16)
Malone (14)
Hornacek (5)
Delta Center 19,911
2–1
4
November 9 6:30 p.m. MST
@ Houston
L 85–91
Malone (32)
Malone (11)
Stockton (6)
The Summit 16,285
2–2
5
November 13
Sacramento
W 105–74
Malone (22)
Ostertag (13)
Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,283
3–2
6
November 15
Vancouver
W 104–96
Malone (21)
Ostertag (20)
Stockton (18)
Delta Center 19,046
4–2
7
November 16
@ Dallas
W 88–87
Stockton (23)
Russell (13)
Stockton (8)
Reunion Arena 15,947
5–2
8
November 20 7:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers
W 113–97
Malone (37)
Ostertag (9)
Stockton (13)
Great Western Forum 16,122
6–2
9
November 21
Golden State
W 109–104 (OT)
Delta Center 18,889
7–2
10
November 23 7:00 p.m. MST
Chicago
W 105–100
Malone (36)
Malone (15)
Stockton (13)
Delta Center 19,911
8–2
11
November 25
New Jersey
W 108–92
Delta Center 19,132
9–2
12
November 27
Denver
W 107–103
Delta Center 19,324
10–2
13
November 29
L.A. Clippers
W 111–94
Delta Center 19,381
11–2 :
December: 11–5 (home: 7–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
14
December 1 6:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle
W 96–90
KeyArena 17,072
12–2
15
December 2
Charlotte
W 107–97
Delta Center 19,410
13–2
16
December 4 6:00 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers
W 101–75
Delta Center 19,911
14–2
17
December 6
Minnesota
W 106–95
Delta Center 19,911
15–2
18
December 7
@ Denver
W 104–91
McNichols Sports Arena 12,837
16–2
19
December 10
Indiana
W 110–86
Delta Center 19,911
17–2
20
December 12
Phoenix
L 87–95
Delta Center 19,911
17–3
21
December 14
Orlando
W 101–68
Delta Center 19,911
18–3
22
December 17 5:30 p.m. MST
@ New York
L 94–99
Madison Square Garden 19,763
18–4
23
December 19 5:30 p.m. MST
@ Miami
W 94–87 (OT)
Malone (35)
Malone (16)
Stockton (10)
Miami Arena 14,919
19–4
24
December 20
@ Orlando
W 98–93
Orlando Arena 17,248
20–4
25
December 22
@ Cleveland
L 94–100
Gund Arena 17,205
20–5
26
December 23
@ Minnesota
L 98–107
Target Center 14,434
20–6
27
December 26
Portland
W 99–94
Delta Center 19,911
21–6
28
December 28
Philadelphia
W 110–84
Delta Center 19,911
22–6
29
December 30
@ L.A. Clippers
L 101–115
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
22–7 :
January: 9–6 (home: 5–0; road: 4–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
30
January 2
@ San Antonio
L 80–83
Alamodome 15,220
22–8
31
January 4 7:00 p.m. MST
Miami
W 83–80
Malone (28)
Malone (12)
Stockton (11)
Delta Center 19,911
23–8
32
January 6 6:30 p.m. MST
@ Chicago
L 89–102
Malone (27)
Malone (11)
Stockton (11)
United Center 23,882
23–9
33
January 8
@ Milwaukee
L 112–119 (OT)
Bradley Center
23–10
34
January 9
@ Toronto
L 96–110
SkyDome
23–11
35
January 11
@ Detroit
L 77–87
The Palace of Auburn Hills
23–12
36
January 13
@ Philadelphia
W 97–96 (OT)
CoreStates Center
24–12
37
January 16
Phoenix
W 95–91
Delta Center
25–12
38
January 17
@ Vancouver
W 106–68
General Motors Place
26–12
39
January 19
@ Portland
L 96–102
Rose Garden
26–13
40
January 20
Cleveland
W 94–74
Delta Center
27–13
41
January 22
@ Phoenix
W 111–99
America West Arena
28–13
42
January 25 6:30 p.m. MST
@ Houston
W 105–100 (OT)
Malone (27)
Malone (17)
Stockton (11)
The Summit 16,285
29–13
43
January 28
Denver
W 114–99
Delta Center
30–13
44
January 30 7:00 p.m. MST
Atlanta
W 102–96
Delta Center
31–13 :
February: 9–3 (home: 7–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
45
February 1
@ Dallas
L 97–100
Reunion Arena
31–14
46
February 3
Washington
W 111–89
Delta Center
32–14
47
February 5 6:00 p.m. MST
@ Seattle
W 99–95
KeyArena
33–14
All-Star Break
48
February 11
@ Sacramento
W 120–98
ARCO Arena
34–14
49
February 13
Portland
W 110–86
Delta Center
35–14
50
February 15
Dallas
W 99–84
Delta Center
36–14
51
February 18
San Antonio
W 113–105
Delta Center
37–14
52
February 20
Boston
W 122–105
Delta Center
38–14
53
February 23 1:30 p.m. MST
Seattle
L 87–89 (OT)
Delta Center
38–15
54
February 25 7:00 p.m. MST
New York
W 110–99
Delta Center
39–15
55
February 27
Toronto
W 118–114
Delta Center
40–15
56
February 28
@ Portland
L 105–115
Rose Garden
40–16 :
March: 14–1 (home: 4–0; road: 10–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
57
March 2
@ Vancouver
W 93–86
General Motors Place
41–16
58
March 3
@ Golden State
W 111–104
San Jose Arena
42–16
59
March 5
Dallas
W 96–65
Delta Center
43–16
60
March 7
Detroit
W 95–88
Delta Center
44–16
61
March 9
@ Minnesota
W 115–106
Target Center
45–16
62
March 11 5:30 p.m. MST
@ Atlanta
L 99–106
The Omni
45–17
63
March 12
@ New Jersey
W 117–102
Continental Airlines Arena
46–17
64
March 14
@ Indiana
W 105–96
Market Square Arena
47–17
65
March 15
@ Washington
W 100–93
US Airways Arena
48–17
66
March 17
@ Charlotte
W 114–93
Charlotte Coliseum
49–17
67
March 19
@ Boston
W 113–100
Fleet Center
50–17
68
March 22
L.A. Clippers
W 107–94
Delta Center
51–17
69
March 23
@ Denver
W 120–103
McNichols Sports Arena
52–17
70
March 28
Milwaukee
W 101–96
Delta Center
53–17
71
March 29
@ San Antonio
W 115–102
Alamodome
54–17 :
April: 10–1 (home: 7–0; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
72
April 2
Sacramento
W 118–87
Delta Center
55–17
73
April 4
Vancouver
W 106–79
Delta Center
56–17
74
April 6
@ Golden State
W 114–100
San Jose Arena
57–17
75
April 7
San Antonio
W 116–93
Delta Center
58–17
76
April 9 6:00 p.m. MDT
L.A. Lakers
W 101–89
Delta Center
59–17
77
April 11 7:00 p.m. MDT
Houston
W 104–83
Malone (28)
Malone (13)
Stockton (8)
Delta Center 19,911
60–17
78
April 13 1:30 p.m. MDT
@ L.A. Lakers
L 98–100
Great Western Forum
60–18
41
April 15
@ Phoenix
W 127–122
America West Arena
61–18
80
April 17
Golden State
W 106–93
Delta Center
62–18
81
April 19
Minnesota
W 101–89
Delta Center
63–18
82
April 20
@ Sacramento
W 113–109
ARCO Arena
64–18 :
1996–97 schedule :

## Playoffs

1997 playoff game log :
Western Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 24
L.A. Clippers
W 106–86
Malone (27)
Malone (10)
Stockton (17)
Delta Center 19,911
1–0
2
April 26
L.A. Clippers
W 105–99
Malone (39)
Malone (11)
Hornacek, Stockton (4)
Delta Center 19,911
2–0
3
April 28
@ L.A. Clippers
W 104–92
Malone (26)
Malone (13)
Stockton (13)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,747
3–0 :
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 4 3:30 p.m. MDT
L.A. Lakers
W 93–77
Malone (23)
Malone (13)
Hornacek (7)
Delta Center 19,911
1–0
2
May 6 8:30 p.m. MDT
L.A. Lakers
W 103–101
Malone (31)
Malone (11)
Hornacek, Stockton (7)
Delta Center 19,911
2–0
3
May 8 8:30 p.m. MDT
@ L.A. Lakers
L 84–104
Hornacek (26)
Malone (10)
Stockton (8)
Great Western Forum 17,505
2–1
4
May 10 1:30 p.m. MDT
@ L.A. Lakers
W 110–95
Russell (29)
Russell (10)
Stockton (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
3–1
5
May 12 8:30 p.m. MDT
L.A. Lakers
W 98–93 (OT)
Malone (32)
Malone (20)
Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,911
4–1 :
Western Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 19 6:30 p.m. MDT
Houston
W 101–86
Malone (21)
Malone (13)
Stockton (13)
Delta Center 19,911
1–0
2
May 21 6:30 p.m. MDT
Houston
W 104–92
Stockton (26)
Malone (15)
Stockton (12)
Delta Center 19,911
2–0
3
May 23 6:30 p.m. MDT
@ Houston
L 100–118
Malone (21)
Ostertag (9)
Stockton (10)
The Summit 16,285
2–1
4
May 25 1:30 p.m. MDT
@ Houston
L 92–95
Malone, Stockton (22)
Malone (10)
Stockton (8)
The Summit 16,285
2–2
5
May 27 7:00 p.m. MDT
Houston
W 96–91
Malone (29)
Malone (14)
Stockton (6)
Delta Center 19,911
3–2
6
May 29 7:00 p.m. MDT
@ Houston
W 103–100
Stockton (25)
Ostertag (14)
Stockton (13)
The Summit 16,285
4–2 :
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
June 1 5:30 p.m. MDT
@ Chicago
L 82–84
Malone (23)
Malone (15)
Stockton (12)
United Center 24,544
0–1
2
June 4 7:00 p.m. MDT
@ Chicago
L 85–97
Malone (20)
Malone (13)
Stockton (7)
United Center 24,544
0–2
3
June 6 7:00 p.m. MDT
Chicago
W 104–93
Malone (37)
Malone (10)
Stockton (12)
Delta Center 19,911
1–2
4
June 8 5:30 p.m. MDT
Chicago
W 78–73
Malone (23)
Malone (10)
Stockton (12)
Delta Center 19,911
2–2
5
June 11 7:00 p.m. MDT
Chicago
L 88–90
Malone (19)
Ostertag (15)
Malone (6)
Delta Center 19,911
2–3
6
June 13 7:00 p.m. MDT
@ Chicago
L 86–90
Malone (21)
Ostertag (8)
Stockton (5)
United Center 24,544
2–4 :
1997 schedule :

### NBA Finals

In the Finals, the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls losing the first two games on the road. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the Delta Center continued their home court advantage by taking Game 3, and Game 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead in Game 5, the Jazz were beaten by a heroic performance by Michael Jordan playing with the flu like ailment 90–88. Back in Chicago for Game 6, the Jazz battled the Bulls tightly before falling by four points as the Bulls won their fifth title in seven years.

## Player statistics
### Season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Shandon Anderson | 65 | 0 | 16.4 | .462 | .511 | .687 | 2.8 | .8 | .4 | .1 | 5.9 |
| Antoine Carr | 82 | 0 | 17.8 | .483 | .000 | .780 | 2.4 | .9 | .3 | .8 | 7.4 |
| Howard Eisley | 82 | 0 | 13.2 | .451 | .278 | .787 | 1.0 | 2.4 | .5 | .1 | 4.5 |
| Greg Foster | 79 | 12 | 11.6 | .453 | .667 | .831 | 2.4 | .4 | .1 | .3 | 3.5 |
| Jeff Hornacek | 82 | 82 | 31.6 | .482 | .369 | .899 | 2.9 | 4.4 | 1.5 | .3 | 14.5 |
| Stephen Howard$^†$ | 42 | 0 | 8.3 | .573 | | .597 | 1.8 | .2 | .3 | .2 | 3.6 |
| Adam Keefe | 62 | 0 | 14.8 | .513 | .000 | .689 | 3.5 | .5 | .5 | .2 | 3.8 |
| Karl Malone | 82 | 82 | 36.6 | .550 | .000 | .755 | 9.9 | 4.5 | 1.4 | .6 | 27.4 |
| Chris Morris | 73 | 1 | 13.4 | .408 | .274 | .722 | 2.2 | .6 | .4 | .3 | 4.3 |
| Ruben Nembhard$^†$ | 8 | 0 | 11.8 | .414 | .000 | .800 | 1.0 | 1.5 | .8 | .0 | 4.0 |
| Greg Ostertag | 77 | 70 | 23.6 | .515 | .000 | .678 | 7.3 | .4 | .3 | 2.0 | 7.3 |
| Bryon Russell | 81 | 81 | 31.2 | .479 | .409 | .701 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | .3 | 10.8 |
| John Stockton | 82 | 82 | 35.3 | .548 | .422 | .846 | 2.8 | 10.5 | 2.0 | .2 | 14.4 |
| Brooks Thompson$^†$ | 2 | 0 | 4.0 | .000 | | | .0 | .5 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Jamie Watson$^†$ | 13 | 0 | 9.9 | .440 | .333 | .833 | 1.4 | .8 | .8 | .2 | 2.5 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Shandon Anderson | 18 | 0 | 16.4 | .439 | .417 | .714 | 2.7 | .7 | .6 | .1 | 4.6 |
| Antoine Carr | 20 | 0 | 14.0 | .482 | | .750 | 2.0 | .5 | .3 | .5 | 4.9 |
| Howard Eisley | 20 | 0 | 10.9 | .500 | .474 | .964 | .9 | 2.0 | .2 | .0 | 5.6 |
| Greg Foster | 20 | 0 | 15.5 | .389 | .250 | .867 | 2.8 | .6 | .2 | .4 | 4.2 |
| Jeff Hornacek | 20 | 20 | 35.2 | .433 | .358 | .876 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.1 | .2 | 14.6 |
| Stephen Howard | 5 | 0 | 2.6 | .500 | | .750 | .2 | .0 | .2 | .0 | 1.8 |
| Adam Keefe | 8 | 0 | 7.4 | .333 | | .667 | 2.0 | .3 | .3 | .1 | 1.0 |
| Karl Malone | 20 | 20 | 40.8 | .435 | .500 | .720 | 11.4 | 2.9 | 1.4 | .8 | 26.0 |
| Chris Morris | 20 | 0 | 8.8 | .400 | .320 | .600 | 1.6 | .3 | .4 | .2 | 2.9 |
| Greg Ostertag | 20 | 20 | 23.0 | .410 | | .743 | 6.9 | .3 | .5 | 2.4 | 4.7 |
| Bryon Russell | 20 | 20 | 37.9 | .461 | .356 | .721 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | .3 | 12.3 |
| John Stockton | 20 | 20 | 37.0 | .521 | .380 | .856 | 3.9 | 9.6 | 1.7 | .3 | 16.1 |
Player Statistics Citation:

## Awards and records
### Awards

* Karl Malone, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
* Karl Malone, All-NBA First Team
* John Stockton, All-NBA Third Team
* Karl Malone, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* John Stockton, NBA All-Defensive Second Team