Full NBA season
1996-97
Explore the indexed regular season, conference races, divisions, and every playoff matchup from the 1996-97 NBA season.
1261indexed games
15playoff series
Postseason map
Playoff bracket
Follow every series from the opening round toward the NBA Finals.
Swipe through the bracket
1 / 4
First round
Western3 G8Los Angeles Clippers1Utah JazzWestern4 G5Portland Trail Blazers4Los Angeles LakersWestern5 G6Phoenix Suns3Seattle SuperSonicsWestern3 G7Minnesota Timberwolves2Houston RocketsEastern3 G8Washington Wizards1Chicago BullsEastern5 G5Detroit Pistons4Atlanta HawksEastern3 G6Charlotte Hornets3New York KnicksEastern5 G7Orlando Magic2Miami Heat
Conference semifinals
Conference finals
NBA Finals
Season honors
Awards and leaders
Open an award winner’s season or sort the verified leaders by any column.
NBA MVPKarl MalonePlayer season →NBA Finals MVPMichael JordanPlayer season →NBA Defensive Player of the YearDikembe MutomboPlayer season →
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Midseason showcase
All-Star teams
The named rosters load independently; every player opens the corresponding season page.
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Alonzo MourningCharles BarkleyChris GatlingChris WebberChristian LaettnerClyde DrexlerDetlef SchrempfDikembe MutomboEddie JonesGary PaytonGlen RiceGrant HillHakeem Olajuwon BJoe DumarsJohn StocktonKarl MaloneKevin GarnettLatrell SprewellMichael JordanMitch RichmondPatrick EwingPenny HardawayScottie PippenShaquille O'NealShawn KempTerrell BrandonTim HardawayTom GugliottaVin Baker
Regular season
Conference standings
Western Conference
Conference standings| Seed | Team | W | L | Pct | PF/G | PA/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | 103.1 | 94.3 |
| 2 | Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 100.6 | 96.1 |
| 3 | Seattle SuperSonics | 57 | 25 | .695 | 100.9 | 93.2 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | 56 | 26 | .683 | 100.0 | 95.7 |
| 5 | Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 99.0 | 94.8 |
| 7 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 96.1 | 97.6 |
| 6 | Phoenix Suns | 40 | 42 | .488 | 102.8 | 102.2 |
| 8 | Los Angeles Clippers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 97.2 | 99.5 |
| — | Sacramento Kings | 34 | 48 | .415 | 96.4 | 99.8 |
| — | Golden State Warriors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 99.6 | 104.4 |
| — | Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 90.6 | 97.0 |
| — | Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 97.7 | 104.2 |
| — | San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 90.5 | 98.3 |
| — | Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 89.2 | 99.4 |
Eastern Conference
Conference standings| Seed | Team | W | L | Pct | PF/G | PA/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | 103.1 | 92.3 |
| 2 | Miami Heat | 61 | 21 | .744 | 94.8 | 89.3 |
| 3 | New York Knicks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 95.4 | 92.2 |
| 4 | Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 94.8 | 89.4 |
| 5 | Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 94.2 | 88.9 |
| 6 | Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 98.9 | 97.0 |
| 7 | Orlando Magic | 45 | 37 | .549 | 94.1 | 94.5 |
| 8 | Washington Wizards | 44 | 38 | .537 | 99.4 | 97.7 |
| — | Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 87.6 | 85.5 |
| — | Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 95.4 | 94.4 |
| — | Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 95.3 | 97.2 |
| — | Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 95.5 | 98.6 |
| — | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 97.2 | 101.8 |
| — | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 60 | .268 | 100.2 | 106.7 |
| — | Boston Celtics | 15 | 67 | .183 | 100.6 | 107.9 |
Around the league
Division standings
Central
Chicago Bulls69–13
Detroit Pistons54–28
Cleveland Cavaliers42–40
Indiana Pacers39–43
Milwaukee Bucks33–49