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 University guard Jon Barry.

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, 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 second 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 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, 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 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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, but only played just 30 games due to a mysterious illness known as "acute viral pancreatitis". Blaylock also finished in third place in Defensive Player 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

Main article: 1996 NBA draft

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

Roster

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

Lenny Wilkens

Assistant coach(es)

Legend

(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
(S) Suspended
Injured

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

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division v t e	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 Conference v t e
#	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)

Game	Date	Team	Score	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	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	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	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	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	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

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

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

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

Awards and records

Awards

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.

Additions

Player	Signed	Former team
Dikembe Mutombo		Denver Nuggets

Subtractions

Player	Left	New team

Player Transactions Citation:

References

1996-97 Atlanta Hawks
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"TBS Holders Approve Time Warner Deal". United Press International. October 10, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
Mulligan, Thomas S. (October 11, 1996). "Turner-Time Warner Merger Approved by Shareholders". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
"Shot-Blocking Star Mutombo Goes to Hawks". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. July 15, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
"Hawks Sign Mutombo; Deal Augmon, Long". United Press International. July 15, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
"Hawks Get Big with Mutombo". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 16, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
Asher, Mark (July 16, 1996). "Mutombo Heading to Hawks". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
"Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long". Tampa Bay Times. July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
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"Iverson Set to Sign Three-Year Contract with Philadelphia". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 13, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
Winderman, Ira (October 26, 1996). "Corbin Starting for Hawks". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
"Sports Briefs". Deseret News. August 14, 1996. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
^ Johnson, K.C. (May 6, 1997). "Team of Cohesive Elements Pours from Hawks' Beaker". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
"Hawks Win Their 10th Straight". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 21, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
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"Bulls Halt the Hawks' Home Streak at 20". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
Armour, Terry (February 15, 1997). "Bulls 89, Hawks 88". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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"Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
Saladino, Tom (April 25, 1997). "Mutombo Tops on Defense". South Coast Today. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
"Mutombo Is the Difference for Hawks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
"NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
"1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
"1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
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"Alan Henderson's Condition Improves". Associated Press. November 21, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
Shapiro, Mark (November 22, 1996). "Heartbeat Back to Normal, Olajuwon Released from Hospital". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
Glier, Ray (April 22, 1998). "Hawks' Henderson Is a Bird in Hand". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
"1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
Atkins, Harry (April 29, 1997). "Pistons Soar Past Hawks, 99-91". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
"Hunter, Pistons Defeat Atlanta". The Oklahoman. April 30, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
"Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
"Hawks 84, Pistons 79". The Washington Post. Associated Press. May 4, 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
"Hawks Earn Date with Bulls". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
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Roberts, Selena (May 14, 1997). "Bulls, Led by Rodman, Keep Going". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
Nadel, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Bulls Send Hawks Flying, 107-92". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
Isaacson, Melissa (May 14, 1997). "Plenty of Reasons for Bulls' Playoff Success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
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Nadel, Mike (May 8, 1997). "Hawks 103, Bulls 95". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
Berkow, Ira (May 9, 1997). "Chicago's Late Heroics Fail to Arrive in Game 2". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
Bagnato, Andrew (May 9, 1997). "When Push Comes to Shove". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
Atlanta Hawks (1968-Present)
Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
Johnson, K.C. (June 16, 1997). "Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
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"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.
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.
"Crowd Has a Blast at Omni". The Washington Post. News Services. July 26, 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
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The Hawks traded #45 and #47 picks to the SuperSonics for #28 pick on June 25, 1996.
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1996–97 NBA season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
"1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.

1996–97 NBA season by team

Eastern

Atlantic	Boston Miami New Jersey New York Orlando Philadelphia Washington
Central	Atlanta Charlotte Chicago Cleveland Detroit Indiana Milwaukee Toronto

Western

Midwest	Dallas Denver Houston Minnesota San Antonio Utah Vancouver
Pacific	Golden State L.A. Clippers L.A. Lakers Phoenix Portland Sacramento Seattle