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1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season

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The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season in Atlanta.[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][8][9] 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.[10][11][12] The team also signed Eldridge Recasner and former Georgia Tech guard Jon Barry.[13][14]

1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season
Head coachLenny Wilkens
General managerPete Babcock
OwnersTed Turner / Turner Broadcasting System
ArenaOmni Coliseum
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semi-finals
(lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWCNN
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but soon played above .500 as the team signed three-point specialist Henry James in December,[14] 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,[15] then later on held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break,[16] and posted a 7-game winning streak in March. The team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12 to February 12.[17][18] The Hawks finished second in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5.[19] The Hawks had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.[20]

Mutombo averaged 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and would capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, finishing second in the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots,[21][22][23] while Christian Laettner had a stellar season, averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Mutombo and Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.[24][25][26][27] In addition, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game, while Mookie Blaylock provided the team with 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, led the league with 2.7 steals per game, finished second in the league 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,[28] but only played just 30 games due to a mysterious illness known as "acute viral pancreatitis".[29][30][31] Blaylock also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[32]

In the playoffs, the Hawks would be put to the test as they faced the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference First Round. The Pistons took a 2–1 series lead,[33][34][35] but the Hawks managed to win the next two games, thus winning the series in five games.[36][37][38][39] 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,[40][41][42][43] despite winning Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95.[44][45][46][47] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals, winning their fifth championship in seven years.[48][49][50][51][52]

It was also the Hawks' final season playing at The Omni, which was scheduled to demolition after the season,[53][54][55][56] 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.[57][58][59][60] Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,[61] while James re-signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers,[62] and Ken Norman, who only played just 17 games this season due to a back injury, retired.[63]

Offseason

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Draft picks

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Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 28 Priest Lauderdale (from Seattle)[64] Center   United States Peristeri BC (Greece)

Roster

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1996–97 Atlanta Hawks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 17 Barry, Jon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1969–07–25 Georgia Tech
G 10 Blaylock, Mookie 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1967–03–20 Oklahoma
F 33 Corbin, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–31 DePaul
F 35 Hancock, Darrin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1971–11–03 Kansas
F 44 Henderson, Alan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–12–02 Indiana
F 42 James, Henry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–07–29 Saint Mary's
F/C 32 Laettner, Christian 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1969–08–17 Duke
C 15 Lauderdale, Priest 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1973–08–31 Central State
F 2 Miller, Anthony   6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1971–10–22 Michigan State
C 55 Mutombo, Dikembe 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1966–06–25 Georgetown
F 28 Newbill, Ivano 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–12–12 Georgia Tech
F 3 Norman, Ken   6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–09–05 Illinois
G 5 Recasner, Eldridge 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–12–14 Washington
G 8 Smith, Steve 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1969–03–31 Michigan State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

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  • 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 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 one game for them before being released, and re-signed by the Hawks for the remainder of the season.[65]
  • Rookie center Priest Lauderdale holds both American and Bulgarian dual citizenship.

Regular season

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Season standings

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Central Division
 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

[66]

1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Eastern Conference
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Awards and records

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Awards

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Records

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Transactions

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Trades

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July 15, 1996

Free agents

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July 15, 1996

August 13, 1996

September 12, 1996

September 27, 1996

October 2, 1996

October 28, 1996

November 13, 1996

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

January 2, 1997

January 7, 1997

  • Waived Darrin Hancock.
  • Waived Willie Burton.

March 4, 1997

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:[67]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 1996-97 Atlanta Hawks
  2. ^ "Time Warner-Turner Pact Okayed". Tampa Bay Times. July 18, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "TBS Holders Approve Time Warner Deal". United Press International. October 10, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Mulligan, Thomas S. (October 11, 1996). "Turner-Time Warner Merger Approved by Shareholders". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "Shot-Blocking Star Mutombo Goes to Hawks". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. July 15, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "Hawks Sign Mutombo; Deal Augmon, Long". United Press International. July 15, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Hawks Get Big with Mutombo". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 16, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  8. ^ Asher, Mark (July 16, 1996). "Mutombo Heading to Hawks". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long". Tampa Bay Times. July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hawks Sign Corbin and Burton". The New York Times. September 13, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "Iverson Set to Sign Three-Year Contract with Philadelphia". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 13, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Winderman, Ira (October 26, 1996). "Corbin Starting for Hawks". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "Sports Briefs". Deseret News. August 14, 1996. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Johnson, K.C. (May 6, 1997). "Team of Cohesive Elements Pours from Hawks' Beaker". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "Hawks Win Their 10th Straight". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 21, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Bulls Halt the Hawks' Home Streak at 20". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  18. ^ Armour, Terry (February 15, 1997). "Bulls 89, Hawks 88". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  20. ^ "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  21. ^ Saladino, Tom (April 25, 1997). "Mutombo Tops on Defense". South Coast Today. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "Mutombo Is the Difference for Hawks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  25. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  26. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Alan Henderson's Condition Improves". Associated Press. November 21, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  30. ^ Shapiro, Mark (November 22, 1996). "Heartbeat Back to Normal, Olajuwon Released from Hospital". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Glier, Ray (April 22, 1998). "Hawks' Henderson Is a Bird in Hand". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  32. ^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  33. ^ Atkins, Harry (April 29, 1997). "Pistons Soar Past Hawks, 99-91". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  34. ^ "Hunter, Pistons Defeat Atlanta". The Oklahoman. April 30, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  35. ^ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  36. ^ "Hawks 84, Pistons 79". The Washington Post. Associated Press. May 4, 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  37. ^ "Hawks Earn Date with Bulls". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  38. ^ Smith, Sam (May 5, 1997). "Hawks 84, Pistons 79". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  39. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Hawks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  40. ^ Roberts, Selena (May 14, 1997). "Bulls, Led by Rodman, Keep Going". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  41. ^ Nadel, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Bulls Send Hawks Flying, 107-92". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  42. ^ Isaacson, Melissa (May 14, 1997). "Plenty of Reasons for Bulls' Playoff Success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  43. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hawks vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  44. ^ Nadel, Mike (May 8, 1997). "Hawks 103, Bulls 95". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  45. ^ Berkow, Ira (May 9, 1997). "Chicago's Late Heroics Fail to Arrive in Game 2". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  46. ^ Bagnato, Andrew (May 9, 1997). "When Push Comes to Shove". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  47. ^ Atlanta Hawks (1968-Present)
  48. ^ Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  49. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  50. ^ Johnson, K.C. (June 16, 1997). "Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  51. ^ Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  52. ^ "1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  53. ^ "Atlanta Barely Notes the Passing of the Omni Arena; Enters Its Final Days During NBA Playoffs". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 27, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  54. ^ Hill, Karen (July 22, 1997). "Demolition Experts Place Explosives Around Omni". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  55. ^ "Crowd Has a Blast at Omni". The Washington Post. News Services. July 26, 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  56. ^ "The Atlanta Constitution - 27 July 1997, Sun - Page 82 - (Atlanta, Georgia)". Newspapers.com. July 27, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  57. ^ Newberry, Paul (May 11, 1997). "Bulls 89, Hawks 80". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  58. ^ Roberts, Selena (May 12, 1997). "Bulls' Laugher Suddenly Turns Serious". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  59. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4: Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, May 11, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  60. ^ "The Omni". Basketball Ballparks. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  61. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (August 27, 1997). "Fox Hunt Finally Over for Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  62. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. September 23, 1997. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  63. ^ "Pacers Trade Williams for Askew". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  64. ^ The Hawks traded #45 and #47 picks to the SuperSonics for #28 pick on June 25, 1996.
    "Hawks Regain First-Round Draft Pick in Sonics Trade". Associated Press. June 25, 1996. p. D1.
  65. ^ "1996–97 NBA Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  66. ^ 1996–97 NBA season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
  67. ^ "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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