Karl Malone averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as he took home MVP honors, while being named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team. John Stockton averaged 14.4 points, led the league with 10.5 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Both Malone and Stockton were selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Jeff Hornacek provided the team with 14.5 points per game, which was second on the team in scoring, and Bryon Russell showed improvement stepping into the lineup averaging 10.8 points per game.