# 1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Lakers' 50th season in the National Basketball Association, and 38th in the city of Los Angeles. During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents Rick Fox, and three-point specialist Jon Barry. The team got off to a fast start to the season winning their first eleven games, before losing Shaquille O'Neal to a strained stomach muscle that forced him to sit out 20 games; in his absence, the Lakers went 13–7. In January, Nick Van Exel went down with a knee injury missing 18 games, and was replaced with second-year guard Derek Fisher as the team's starting point guard for the remainder of the season. The Lakers held a 34–11 record at the All-Star break, and won 22 of their final 25 games to tie the Pacific Division title with the Seattle SuperSonics with a 61–21 record. It was the Lakers' best record since the 1989–90 season.
O'Neal averaged 28.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Eddie Jones averaged 16.9 points and 2.0 steals per game, led the Lakers with 143 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and second-year guard Kobe Bryant emerged as a star in his second season, playing an increased role as the team's sixth man, averaging 15.4 points per game off the bench. In addition, Van Exel provided the team with 13.8 points and 6.9 assists per game, while Fox contributed 12.0 points per game, Robert Horry averaged 7.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, Elden Campbell provided with 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game off the bench, and Fisher contributed 5.8 points and 4.1 assists per game.
Four members of the team, O'Neal, Bryant, Jones and Van Exel, were all selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York. It was Bryant's first ever All-Star appearance, as he was voted as a starter for the Western Conference at the age of 19; Bryant scored 18 points in 22 minutes, as the Western Conference lost to the Eastern Conference, 135–114. O'Neal also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Bryant finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting behind Danny Manning of the Phoenix Suns, and also finished in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting.
In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round for the second consecutive year, then after losing Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-finals to the 2nd–seeded SuperSonics, 106–92 at Seattle, the Lakers would win the next four games, thus the series. However, in the Western Conference Finals, they were swept by the top-seeded Utah Jazz in four straight games. The Jazz would go on to lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals for the second straight year.
Following the season, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets after feuding with head coach Del Harris, and Barry signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 2 | 52 | DeJuan Wheat | PG | United States | Louisville |
| 2 | 54 | Paul Rogers | C | Australia | Gonzaga |

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Pacific Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Seattle SuperSonics | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 35–6 | 26–15 | 19–5 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 33–8 | 28–13 | 16–8 |
| x-Phoenix Suns | 56 | 26 | .683 | 5 | 30–11 | 26–15 | 17–7 |
| x-Portland Trail Blazers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 15 | 26–15 | 20–21 | 14–10 |
| Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 | 21–20 | 6–35 | 6–18 |
| Golden State Warriors | 19 | 63 | .232 | 42 | 12–29 | 7–34 | 6–18 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 17 | 65 | .207 | 44 | 11–30 | 6–35 | 6–18 |
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Utah Jazz | 62 | 20 | .756 | – |
| 2 | y-Seattle SuperSonics | 61 | 21 | .744 | 1 |
| 3 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 61 | 21 | .744 | 1 |
| 4 | x-Phoenix Suns | 56 | 26 | .683 | 6 |
| 5 | x-San Antonio Spurs | 56 | 26 | .683 | 6 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 16 |
| 7 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 45 | 37 | .549 | 17 |
| 8 | x-Houston Rockets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 |
| 9 | Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 35 |
| 10 | Dallas Mavericks | 20 | 62 | .244 | 42 |
| 11 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 19 | 63 | .232 | 43 |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | 19 | 63 | .232 | 43 |
| 13 | Los Angeles Clippers | 17 | 65 | .207 | 45 |
| 14 | Denver Nuggets | 11 | 71 | .134 | 51 |

### Record vs. opponents

1997-98 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 | – | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 1–2 | – | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Charlotte | 0–4 | 2–1 | – | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | – | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | – | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Milwaukee | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | – | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| New Jersey | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Orlando | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Philadelphia | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | – | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| Vancouver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log
### Preseason

1997 preseason game log Total: 6–2 (home: 6–0; road: 0–2) :
Preseason: 6–2 (home: 6–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 9
Denver
W 135-102
Kobe Bryant (31)
Corie Blount (7)
Jon Barry (6)
San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA) 10,754
1–0
2
October 10
@ Phoenix
L 91-93
Shaquille O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Shaquille O'Neal (4)
American West Arena 19,023
1-1
3
October 17
L.A. Clippers
W 116-85
Shaquille O'Neal (28)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Fisher & Van Exel (5)
Kiel Center (St. Louis, MO) 17,398
2–1
4
October 18
Cleveland
W 117-107
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Rick Fox (7)
Great Western Forum 18,123
3–1
5
October 21
@ Denver
L 92-101
Bryant & Campbell (15)
Mario Bennett (11)
Kobe Bryant (4)
McNichols Sports Arena 7,121
3–2
6
October 22
Washington
W 124-113 (OT)
Elden Campbell (33)
Elden Campbell (13)
Barry & Horry (4)
Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV) 10,771
4–2
7
October 24
Atlanta
W 93-89
Rick Fox (18)
Elden Campbell (12)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 11,814
5–2
8
October 25
Seattle
W 85-79
Nick Van Exel (15)
Corie Blount (9)
Derek Fisher (5)
Great Western Forum 13,862
6–2 :
1997–98 schedule :

### Regular season

1997–98 game log Total: 61-21 (home: 33-8; road: 28–13) :
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 31
Utah
W 104-87
Kobe Bryant (23)
Robert Horry (13)
Horry & Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 16,234
1–0 :
November: 12–2 (home: 6–0; road: 6–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
2
November 4
@ Sacramento
W 101-98
Eddie Jones (35)
Corie Blount (7)
Nick Van Exel (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
2–0
3
November 7
New York
W 99-94
Horry & O'Neal (17)
Robert Horry (10)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 17,505
3–0
4
November 9
Golden State
W 132-97
Shaquille O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (19)
Derek Fisher (10)
Great Western Forum 14,623
4–0
5
November 11
@ Dallas
W 118-96
Shaquille O'Neal (37)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Robert Horry (9)
Reunion Arena 13,722
5–0
6
November 13
@ San Antonio
W 109-100 (OT)
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Eddie Jones (7)
Alamodome 20,557
6–0
7
November 14
@ Houston
W 113-103 (2OT)
Nick Van Exel (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Shaquille O'Neal (8)
Compaq Center 16,285
7–0
8
November 16
Vancouver
W 121-95
Eddie Jones (28)
Robert Horry (12)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 17,139
8–0
9
November 18
@ Utah
W 97-92
Bryant & Van Exel (19)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Nick Van Exel (5)
Delta Center 19,911
9–0
10
November 19
Minnesota
W 118-93
Eddie Jones (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Derek Fisher (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
10–0
11
November 23
L.A. Clippers
W 119-102
Eddie Jones (28)
Corie Blount (9)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
11–0
12
November 25
@ Miami
L 86-103
Nick Van Exel (21)
3 players tied (7)
Eddie Jones (6)
Miami Arena 15,200
11–1
13
November 26
@ Boston
W 118-103
Elden Campbell (22)
Robert Horry (9)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Fleet Center 18,624
12–1
14
November 28
@ Philadelphia
L 95-105
Bryant & Campbell (19)
Robert Horry (9)
Nick Van Exel (6)
CoreStates Center 20,714
12–2
15
November 30
Toronto
W 105-99
Eddie Jones (32)
Blount & Horry (8)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Great Western Forum 14,940
13–2 :
December: 10–5 (home: 5–2; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
16
December 3
@ Denver
W 107-89
Elden Campbell (25)
Elden Campbell (12)
Kobe Bryant (5)
McNichols Sports Arena 14,503
14–2
17
December 5
San Antonio
W 98-88
Nick Van Exel (25)
Corie Blount (10)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 17,505
15–2
18
December 7
Cleveland
L 84-94
Kobe Bryant (21)
Robert Horry (10)
Nick Van Exel (4)
Great Western Forum 16,945
15–3
19
December 8
@ Portland
L 99-105
Nick Van Exel (24)
Elden Campbell (12)
Nick Van Exel (12)
Rose Garden 20,721
15–4
20
December 10
@ Golden State
L 92-93
Kobe Bryant (20)
Elden Campbell (9)
Nick Van Exel (8)
The Arena in Oakland 13,414
15–5
21
December 12
Houston
W 119-102
Rick Fox (30)
Robert Horry (8)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 17,505
16–5
22
December 14
Dallas
W 119-89
Kobe Bryant (30)
Elden Campbell (8)
Fisher & Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 15,893
17–5
23
December 16
@ Minnesota
W 109-96
Eddie Jones (32)
4 players tied (6)
Nick Van Exel (14)
Target Center 16,874
18–5
24
December 17
@ Chicago
L 83-104
Kobe Bryant (33)
Robert Horry (6)
Nick Van Exel (5)
United Center 24,119
18–6
25
December 19
@ Atlanta
W 98-96
Kobe Bryant (19)
Robert Horry (8)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Georgia Dome 25,288
19–6
26
December 20
@ Charlotte
W 109-100
Nick Van Exel (24)
Corie Blount (11)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
20–6
27
December 22
@ Houston
W 94-83
Kobe Bryant (19)
Elden Campbell (14)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Compaq Center 16,285
21–6
28
December 26
L.A. Clippers
W 118-114 (OT)
Nick Van Exel (30)
Elden Campbell (11)
Nick Van Exel (12)
Great Western Forum 17,505
22–6
29
December 28
Boston
L 102-108
Rick Fox (27)
3 players tied (9)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Great Western Forum 17,505
22–7
30
December 30
Sacramento
W 93-80
Elden Campbell (23)
Elden Campbell (9)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 16,283
23–7 :
January: 9–4 (home: 6–3; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
31
January 2
Atlanta
W 116-106
Eddie Jones (23)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Nick Van Exel (13)
Great Western Forum 17,505
24–7
32
January 4
Philadelphia
L 107-113
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
24–8
33
January 6
@ Vancouver
W 100-87
Shaquille O'Neal (25)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Nick Van Exel (7)
General Motors Place 15,837
25–8
34
January 7
Milwaukee
W 114-102
Shaquille O'Neal (38)
Horry & O'Neal (9)
Nick Van Exel (18)
Great Western Forum 15,483
26–8
35
January 9
@ L.A. Clippers
W 125-115
Shaquille O'Neal (32)
Elden Campbell (10)
Nick Van Exel (5)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,067
27–8
36
January 11
Charlotte
L 93-98
Shaquille O'Neal (32)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Eddie Jones (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
27–9
37
January 14
Denver
W 132-114
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Derek Fisher (13)
Great Western Forum 15,067
28–9
38
January 17
Miami
W 108-99
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Nick Van Exel (4)
Great Western Forum 17,505
29–9
39
January 19
Orlando
W 92-89
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Robert Horry (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
30–9
40
January 21
@ Phoenix
W 119-109
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Nick Van Exel (6)
American West Arena 19,023
31–9
41
January 24
@ Seattle
L 95-101
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Nick Van Exel (8)
KeyArena 17,072
31–10
42
January 28
New Jersey
L 95-106
Shaquille O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (19)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 15,643
31–11
43
January 30
Minnesota
W 121-114
Rick Fox (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Derek Fisher (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
32–11 :
February: 7–5 (home: 4–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
44
February 1
Chicago
W 112-87
Rick Fox (25)
Corie Blount (13)
Blount & Fisher (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
33–11
45
February 4
Portland
W 122-115
Eddie Jones (28)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 15,389
34–11
All-Star Break
46
February 10
@ Portland
L 105-117
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Barry & Fox (6)
Rose Garden 21,538
34–12
47
February 11
Golden State
W 105-99
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Nick Van Exel (14)
Great Western Forum 14,674
35–12
48
February 13
Seattle
L 108-113 (OT)
Shaquille O'Neal (44)
Robert Horry (14)
Eddie Jones (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
35–13
49
February 15
Houston
L 88-90
3 players tied (18)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
35–14
50
February 18
@ Phoenix
L 103-110
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Derek Fisher (5)
American West Arena 19,023
35–15
51
February 19
Denver
W 131-92
Rick Fox (22)
Mario Bennett (13)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Great Western Forum 15,159
36–15
52
February 22
@ Orlando
L 94-96
Shaquille O'Neal (20)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Fisher & Fox (5)
Orlando Arena 17,238
36–16
53
February 24
@ Milwaukee
W 98-81
Shaquille O'Neal (21)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Derek Fisher (6)
Bradley Center 18,717
37–16
54
February 25
@ Indiana
W 96-89
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Horry & O'Neal (9)
Derek Fisher (6)
Market Square Arena 16,726
38–16
55
February 27
@ Minnesota
W 104-91
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Robert Horry (8)
Derek Fisher (8)
Target Center 20,197
39–16 :
March: 13–4 (home: 8–0; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
56
March 1
@ New York
L 89-101
Shaquille O'Neal (19)
Robert Horry (12)
Shaquille O'Neal (5)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
39–17
57
March 2
@ Washington
L 86-96
Shaquille O'Neal (28)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Derek Fisher (10)
MCI Center 20,674
39–18
58
March 4
Indiana
W 104-95
Shaquille O'Neal (29)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Derek Fisher (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
40–18
59
March 6
San Antonio
W 91-84
Shaquille O'Neal (23)
Elden Campbell (7)
Fisher & Fox (5)
Great Western Forum 17,505
41–18
60
March 8
Detroit
W 96-89
Shaquille O'Neal (32)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Derek Fisher (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
42–18
61
March 11
Portland
W 121-107
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Elden Campbell (11)
Derek Fisher (10)
Great Western Forum 16,758
43–18
62
March 12
@ L.A. Clippers
W 108-85
Shaquille O'Neal (32)
Robert Horry (14)
Rick Fox (5)
Arrowhead Pond 18,521
44–18
63
March 15
@ Vancouver
W 119-110
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Robert Horry (13)
3 players tied (6)
General Motors Place 18,983
45–18
64
March 16
@ Seattle
L 89-101
Shaquille O'Neal (25)
Shaquille O'Neal (8)
Fox & Jones (4)
KeyArena 17,072
45–19
65
March 18
Phoenix
W 99-93
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (22)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
46–19
66
March 20
Seattle
W 93-80
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Rick Fox (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
47–19
67
March 22
@ Sacramento
W 96-93
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Robert Horry (14)
Nick Van Exel (5)
ARCO Arena 17,317
48–19
68
March 23
@ Denver
W 107-86
Eddie Jones (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Nick Van Exel (6)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
49–19
69
March 25
Sacramento
W 114-91
Shaquille O'Neal (25)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 16,634
50–19
70
March 28
@ Utah
L 91-106
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Robert Horry (7)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Delta Center 19,911
50–20
71
March 29
Washington
W 116-89
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Derek Fisher (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
51–20
72
March 31
@ Toronto
W 114-105
Rick Fox (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Derek Fisher (7)
Maple Leaf Gardens 16,086
52–20 :
April: 9–1 (home: 3–1; road: 6–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
73
April 2
@ New Jersey
W 117-106
Shaquille O'Neal (50)
Robert Horry (10)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
53–20
74
April 3
@ Cleveland
W 105-93
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
54–20
75
April 5
@ Detroit
W 105-103 (OT)
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Nick Van Exel (4)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
55–20
76
April 8
Vancouver
W 113-102
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Corie Blount (15)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 17,505
56–20
77
April 10
Phoenix
L 105-114
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Mario Bennett (14)
Fox & Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
56–21
78
April 11
@ Golden State
W 96-84
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Rick Fox (6)
The Arena in Oakland 19,821
57–21
79
April 13
@ San Antonio
W 99-75
Shaquille O'Neal (28)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Derek Fisher (6)
Alamodome 26,783
58–21
80
April 14
@ Dallas
W 111-95
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Robert Horry (13)
Derek Fisher (9)
Reunion Arena 18,107
59–21
81
April 17
Dallas
W 124-95
Shaquille O'Neal (43)
Robert Horry (10)
Derek Fisher (10)
Great Western Forum 17,505
60–21
82
April 19
Utah
W 102-98
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
61–21 :
1997–98 schedule :

### Playoffs

1998 playoff game log Total: 7–6 (home: 4–2; road: 3–4) :
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 24
Portland
W 104–102
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Jones & O'Neal (7)
Robert Horry (5)
Great Western Forum 17,505
1–0
2
April 26
Portland
W 108–99
Rick Fox (24)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Derek Fisher (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
2–0
3
April 28
@ Portland
L 94–99
Shaquille O'Neal (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Robert Horry (7)
Rose Garden 21,558
2–1
4
April 30
@ Portland
W 110–99
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Rose Garden 21,558
3–1 :
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (home: 2–0; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 4
@ Seattle
L 92–106
Shaquille O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Rick Fox (10)
KeyArena 17,072
0–1
2
May 6
@ Seattle
W 92–68
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Horry & O'Neal (10)
Derek Fisher (7)
KeyArena 17,072
1–1
3
May 8
Seattle
W 119–103
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Derek Fisher (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
2–1
4
May 10
Seattle
W 112–100
Shaquille O'Neal (39)
Shaquille O'Neal (8)
O'Neal & Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
3–1
5
May 12
@ Seattle
W 110–95
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Robert Horry (11)
Derek Fisher (6)
KeyArena 17,072
4–1 :
Conference finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 16
@ Utah
L 77–112
Shaquille O'Neal (19)
Corie Blount (9)
Nick Van Exel (3)
Delta Center 19,911
0–1
2
May 18
@ Utah
L 95–99
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Corie Blount (10)
Rick Fox (7)
Delta Center 19,911
0–2
3
May 22
Utah
L 98–109
Shaquille O'Neal (39)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
0–3
4
May 24
Utah
L 92–96
Shaquille O'Neal (38)
Robert Horry (8)
Eddie Jones (6)
Great Western Forum 17,505
0–4 :
1998 schedule :

## Player statistics

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Jon Barry | 49 | 1 | 7.6 | .365 | .295 | .931 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 2.5 |
| Mario Bennett | 45 | 4 | 7.9 | .593 | .500 | .364 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 3.9 |
| Corie Blount | 70 | 3 | 14.7 | .572 | .000 | .500 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 3.6 |
| Kobe Bryant | 79 | 1 | 26.0 | .428 | .341 | .794 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 15.4 |
| Elden Campbell | 81 | 28 | 22.0 | .463 | .500 | .693 | 5.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 10.1 |
| Derek Fisher | 82 | 36 | 21.5 | .434 | .383 | .757 | 2.4 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 5.8 |
| Rick Fox | 82 | 82 | 33.0 | .471 | .325 | .743 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 12.0 |
| Robert Horry | 72 | 71 | 30.4 | .476 | .204 | .692 | 7.5 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 7.4 |
| Eddie Jones | 80 | 80 | 36.4 | .484 | .389 | .765 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 16.9 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 60 | 57 | 36.3 | .584 | . | .527 | 11.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 28.3 |
| Sean Rooks | 41 | 1 | 10.4 | .455 | . | .595 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.4 |
| Shea Seals | 4 | 0 | 2.3 | .125 | .000 | .500 | 1.0 | . | 0.3 | . | 1.0 |
| Nick Van Exel | 64 | 46 | 32.1 | .419 | .389 | .791 | 2.5 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 13.8 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Jon Barry | 7 | 0 | 2.6 | .000 | .000 | | .3 | .0 | .1 | .0 | .0 |
| Mario Bennett | 4 | 0 | 2.5 | .500 | | 1.000 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | .3 | 1.0 |
| Corie Blount | 12 | 0 | 17.4 | .500 | | .636 | 5.3 | .6 | .5 | .3 | 2.6 |
| Kobe Bryant | 11 | 0 | 20.0 | .408 | .214 | .689 | 1.9 | 1.5 | .3 | .7 | 8.7 |
| Elden Campbell | 13 | 0 | 13.8 | .451 | | .647 | 3.5 | .6 | .2 | .9 | 5.2 |
| Derek Fisher | 13 | 13 | 21.4 | .397 | .300 | .621 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | .0 | 6.0 |
| Rick Fox | 13 | 13 | 32.9 | .447 | .396 | .826 | 4.5 | 3.9 | .8 | .2 | 10.9 |
| Robert Horry | 13 | 13 | 32.5 | .557 | .353 | .683 | 6.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 8.6 |
| Eddie Jones | 13 | 13 | 36.6 | .466 | .417 | .829 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 17.0 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 13 | 13 | 38.5 | .612 | | .503 | 10.2 | 2.9 | .5 | 2.6 | 30.5 |
| Sean Rooks | 4 | 0 | 2.8 | .333 | | | .3 | .0 | .0 | .8 | 1.0 |
| Nick Van Exel | 13 | 0 | 28.2 | .331 | .314 | .725 | 2.5 | 4.2 | .6 | .1 | 11.6 |

## Awards and records
### Awards

* Shaquille O'Neal was named to the All-NBA First Team
* Eddie Jones was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team

#### All-Star

* Kobe Bryant was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.
* Eddie Jones was selected to his second NBA All-Star Game.
* Nick Van Exel was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.
* Shaquille O'Neal was selected to his sixth NBA All-Star Game.

#### Weekly and monthly

* Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Week for games played from November 9 through November 15.
* Eddie Jones was named NBA Player of the Month for November.
* Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Month for January.
* Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Week for games played from March 15 to March 21.
* Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Month for April.
* Del Harris was named NBA Coach of the Month for April.