# 1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season in Atlanta. During this season, Hawks owner Ted Turner was the then-vice chairman of Time Warner after acquiring Turner Broadcasting System. In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by signing free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo. 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. The team also signed Eldridge Recasner, and former Georgia Tech guard Jon Barry.
The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the regular season, but soon played above .500 as the team signed three-point specialist Henry James in December, 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, then later on held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break, 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. The Hawks finished in second place in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5. The Hawks had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.
Mutombo averaged 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, finishing second in the league in rebounds and blocks. In addition, Steve Smith led the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game, 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, but only played just 30 games due to a mysterious illness known as "acute viral pancreatitis".
Mutombo and Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio. Mutombo also finished tied in thirteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Smith finished tied in seventeenth place; Blaylock finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and head coach Lenny Wilkens finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.
In the 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, but the Hawks managed to win the next two games, thus winning the series in five games. However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, as they fell in five games to the defending and eventual NBA champions, despite winning Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95. The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals, winning their fifth championship in seven years.
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. This was also the Hawks' final season playing at "The Omni", which was scheduled to demolition after the season, 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.
Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, while James re-signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ken Norman, who only played just 17 games this season due to a back injury, retired.

## Offseason
### Draft picks

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

## 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.
* Rookie center Priest Lauderdale holds both American and Bulgarian dual citizenship.

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | 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 |
1996–97 NBA East standings :
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | 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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
1November 1@ Miami HeatL 81-94Miami Arena 15,1330–1
2November 2Detroit PistonsL 78-90Omni Coliseum 16,3780–2
3November 4@ Portland Trail BlazersW 94-76Rose Garden Arena 21,5671–2
4November 5@ Seattle SuperSonicsW 117-95KeyArena at Seattle Center 17,0722-2
5November 7@ Sacramento KingsW 91-87ARCO Arena 17,3173–2
6November 10@ Los Angeles LakersL 85-92Great Western Forum 16,0973-3
7November 12Cleveland CavaliersW 87-83Omni Coliseum4–3
8November 13@ Boston CelticsL 85-103FleetCenter 13,1844-4
9November 15Miami HeatW 85-77Omni Coliseum 16,3785–4
10November 16@ Chicago BullsL 69-97United Center 23,9395-5
11November 19@ Cleveland CavaliersL 63-73Gund Arena 14,1825–6
12November 21@ Milwaukee BucksW 73-65Bradley Center 14,6986-6
13November 23@ Toronto RaptorsW 91-88SkyDome 16,8387–6
14November 26Vancouver GrizzliesW 101-80Omni Coliseum8–6
15November 27@ Orlando MagicL 75-79Orlando Arena 17,2488–7
16November 29Washington BulletsW 110-81Omni Coliseum 12,4579–7 :
December: 7–4 (home: 6–0; road: 1–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
17December 3Boston CelticsW 105-95Omni Coliseum10–7
18December 4@ Detroit PistonsL 90-100The Palace of Auburn Hills 14,57410–8
19December 7Toronto RaptorsW 101-75Omni Coliseum 11,42211–8
20December 10Denver NuggetsW 89-88Omni Coliseum12–8
21December 14Philadelphia 76ersW 106-81Omni Coliseum 12,47313–8
22December 17@ Dallas MavericksW 109-73Reunion Arena 14,80514–8
23December 20New Jersey NetsW 109-95Omni Coliseum 12,88415–8
24December 21@ Charlotte HornetsL 93-98Charlotte Coliseum 24,04215–9
25December 23@ New York KnicksL 76-82Madison Square Garden 19,76315–10
26December 26Chicago BullsW 108-103Omni Coliseum 16,37816–10
27December 28@ Washington BulletsL 86-97US Airways Arena 11,79716–11 :
January: 14–2 (home: 9–0; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
28January 3@ New Jersey NetsW 95-85Continental Airlines Arena 14,31017–11
29January 4New York KnicksW 88-71Omni Coliseum 16,37818–11
30January 7Phoenix SunsW 105-103 (OT)Omni Coliseum19–11
31January 9@ Orlando MagicW 97-92 (OT)Orlando Arena 17,24820–11
32January 11San Antonio SpursW 87-82 (OT)Omni Coliseum 15,87721–11
33January 13@ Cleveland CavaliersW 93-79Gund Arena 14,56522–11
34January 14Minnesota TimberwolvesW 95-93Omni Coliseum 14,03223–11
35January 16Orlando MagicW 78-67Omni Coliseum 16,37824–11
36January 18Milwaukee BucksW 94-71Omni Coliseum 16,37825–11
37January 20Charlotte HornetsW 106-97Omni Coliseum 16,37826–11
38January 21@ Miami HeatL 91-94Miami Arena 14,85326–12
39January 24Washington BulletsW 117-105 (OT)Omni Coliseum 15,32527–12
40January 25Boston CelticsW 95-90Omni Coliseum 16,37828–12
41January 28@ Los Angeles ClippersW 112-96Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena29–12
42January 30@ Utah JazzL 96-102Delta Center 19,91129–13
43January 31@ Vancouver GrizzliesW 87-76General Motors Place 15,20530–13 :
February: 8–5 (home: 5–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
44February 2@ Denver NuggetsL 104-115McNichols Sports Arena 13,12230–14
45February 4@ Golden State WarriorsW 107-85San Jose Arena 13,11131–14
46February 5@ Phoenix SunsL 81-99America West Arena 19,02331–15
47February 12Toronto RaptorsW 106-84Omni Coliseum 13,84632–15
48February 14Chicago BullsL 88-89Omni Coliseum 16,37832–16
49February 15@ San Antonio SpursW 109-89Alamodome 26,80933–16
50February 17@ Houston RocketsL 98-127The Summit 16,28533–17
51February 19Indiana PacersW 100-87Omni Coliseum 16,37834–17
52February 21Houston RocketsW 76-74Omni Coliseum 16,37835–17
53February 22Charlotte HornetsL 92-93Omni Coliseum 16,37835–18
54February 24Golden State WarriorsW 106-100Omni Coliseum 15,66036–18
55February 26@ Milwaukee BucksW 79-72Bradley Center 13,28537–18
56February 28Los Angeles LakersW 86-75Omni Coliseum 16,37838–18 :
March: 12–4 (home: 9–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
57March 2@ Detroit PistonsL 75-82The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,45438–19
58March 4Cleveland CavaliersW 93-88Omni Coliseum 15,40439–19
59March 6@ Philadelphia 76ersW 117-104CoreStates Center 13,80240–19
60March 7Milwaukee BucksW 90-80Omni Coliseum 14,90641–19
61March 9@ Boston CelticsW 114-90FleetCenter 16,93142–19
62March 11Utah JazzW 106-99Omni Coliseum 14,47543–19
63March 12@ Indiana PacersL 82-92Market Square Arena 14,82443–20
64March 14Seattle SuperSonicsL 91-97Omni Coliseum 16,37843–21
65March 15@ Chicago BullsL 79-99United Center 23,98443–22
66March 17Orlando MagicW 112-107 (OT)Omni Coliseum 15,70844–22
67March 19Indiana PacersW 107-95Omni Coliseum 14,09945–22
68March 21Dallas MavericksW 93-72Omni Coliseum 13,80946–22
69March 23@ Toronto RaptorsW 90-79SkyDome 18,53347–22
70March 25Portland Trail BlazersW 96-89Omni Coliseum 15,25648–22
71March 27Los Angeles ClippersW 103-88Omni Coliseum 13,87649–22
72March 29Sacramento KingsW 88-74Omni Coliseum 14,94250–22 :
April: 6–4 (home: 3–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation AttendanceRecord
73April 2@ Charlotte HornetsL 84-95Charlotte Coliseum 24,04250–23
74April 4Detroit PistonsW 103-89Omni Coliseum 16,37851–23
75April 5New York KnicksL 97-102Omni Coliseum 16,37851–24
76April 9@ Philadelphia 76ersW 116-101CoreStates Center 16,54952–24
77April 11@ Indiana PacersW 104-92Market Square Arena 16,40353–24
78April 12@ Minnesota TimberwolvesW 80-66Target Center 18,87454–24
79April 15New Jersey NetsW 109-101Omni Coliseum 14,45855–24
80April 16@ New York KnicksL 92-96Madison Square Garden 19,76355–25
81April 19Philadelphia 76ersW 136-104Omni Coliseum 16,45756–25
82April 20@ New Jersey NetsL 92-108Continental Airlines Arena 18,70256–26 :
1996–97 season schedule :

## Playoffs

1997 playoff game log :
First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
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
### 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:

## 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.
Player Transactions Citation: