The 1996-97 Utah Jazz season was a hallmark of success for the franchise, marking their 23rd season in the NBA. Under the guidance of head coach Jerry Sloan, the Jazz posted an impressive 64-18 regular season record, finishing first in the Midwest Division and securing the best record in the Western Conference. This performance was largely driven by the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton. Malone, known as “The Mailman,” had an MVP-caliber season, averaging 27.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, which earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Stockton continued to excel as the team’s floor general, leading the league in assists per game.
In the playoffs, the Jazz displayed their dominance, sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. They then faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Semifinals, defeating them 4-1. The Conference Finals saw the Jazz overcome the Houston Rockets in a hard-fought six-game series, earning their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals. Despite their strong run, the Jazz fell to the Chicago Bulls in a closely contested six-game series in the Finals. This season is often remembered for its high level of play and the Jazz’s emergence as a formidable contender in the NBA, setting the stage for continued success in the following years.
- Regular Season Record: 64-18
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 2-4
Utah Jazz Roster and Stats for 1996-97 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Karl Malone | 82 | 27.4 | 9.9 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 20 | 26.0 | 11.4 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 50.0 |
| Jeff Hornacek | 82 | 14.5 | 2.9 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 36.9 | 20 | 14.6 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 35.8 |
| John Stockton | 82 | 14.4 | 2.8 | 10.5 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 42.2 | 20 | 16.1 | 3.9 | 9.6 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 38.0 |
| Bryon Russell | 81 | 10.8 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 40.9 | 20 | 12.3 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 35.6 |
| Antoine Carr | 82 | 7.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 20 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Greg Ostertag | 77 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 20 | 4.7 | 6.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Shandon Anderson | 65 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 51.1 | 18 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 41.7 |
| Howard Eisley | 82 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 27.8 | 20 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 47.4 |
| Chris Morris | 73 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 27.4 | 20 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 32.0 |
| Ruben Nembhard | 8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Adam Keefe | 62 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Stephen Howard | 42 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Greg Foster | 79 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 66.6 | 20 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 25.0 |
| Jamie Watson | 13 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Brooks Thompson | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Los Angeles Clippers
In the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Utah Jazz faced the Los Angeles Clippers and swept them decisively in a 3-0 series victory. Led by the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, the Jazz demonstrated their dominance on both ends of the court, setting the tone for a deep playoff run that ultimately took them to the NBA Finals. Their performance against the Clippers showcased their disciplined defense and efficient offense, solidifying their reputation as a formidable Western Conference powerhouse.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 106-86 | |
| Apr 26, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-99 | |
| Apr 28, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 104-92 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Utah Jazz faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, triumphing in a decisive 4-1 series victory. Led by the formidable duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, the Jazz showcased their potent combination of scoring and playmaking. Their performance set the stage for a deep playoff run, ultimately propelling them to their first NBA Finals appearance.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 93-77 | |
| May 06, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 103-101 | |
| May 08, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-84 | |
| May 10, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 110-95 | |
| May 12, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 98-93 |
1997 Conference Championship vs. Houston Rockets
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Utah Jazz reached the Western Conference Finals, showcasing the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton. They faced the Houston Rockets and triumphed in a thrilling six-game series, with Stockton's iconic buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game 6 sealing their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals. This victory was a pivotal moment for the franchise, highlighting their resilience and teamwork.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 101-86 | |
| May 21, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 104-92 | |
| May 23, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 118-100 | |
| May 25, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 95-92 | |
| May 27, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 96-91 | |
| May 29, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-100 |
1997 NBA Finals vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1997 NBA Finals, the Utah Jazz made their first-ever appearance, driven by the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton. Despite their strong performances, the Jazz fell to the Chicago Bulls in a hard-fought six-game series, with Michael Jordan's iconic u0022Flu Gameu0022 in Game 5 highlighting the matchup. The Jazz's blend of Stockton's precise playmaking and Malone's scoring prowess kept the series competitive, showcasing their resilience and skill on basketball's biggest stage.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 01, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 84-82 | |
| Jun 04, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 97-85 | |
| Jun 06, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-93 | |
| Jun 08, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 78-73 | |
| Jun 11, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 90-88 | |
| Jun 13, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 90-86 |
Utah Jazz 1996-97 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1996-97 season for the Utah Jazz.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-91 | |
| Nov 02, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 95-90 | |
| Nov 04, 1996 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 75-72 | |
| Nov 09, 1996 | @ Houston Rockets | L 91-85 | |
| Nov 13, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 105-74 | |
| Nov 15, 1996 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 104-96 | |
| Nov 16, 1996 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 88-87 | |
| Nov 20, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-97 | |
| Nov 21, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 109-104 | |
| Nov 23, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 105-100 | |
| Nov 25, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 108-92 | |
| Nov 27, 1996 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 107-103 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 111-94 | |
| Dec 01, 1996 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-90 | |
| Dec 02, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 107-97 | |
| Dec 04, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 101-75 | |
| Dec 06, 1996 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 106-95 | |
| Dec 07, 1996 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 104-91 | |
| Dec 10, 1996 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 110-86 | |
| Dec 12, 1996 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 95-87 | |
| Dec 14, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 101-68 | |
| Dec 17, 1996 | @ New York Knicks | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 19, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | W 94-87 | |
| Dec 20, 1996 | @ Orlando Magic | W 98-93 | |
| Dec 22, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 100-94 | |
| Dec 23, 1996 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 107-98 | |
| Dec 26, 1996 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-94 | |
| Dec 28, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-84 | |
| Dec 30, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 115-101 | |
| Jan 02, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 83-80 | |
| Jan 04, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 83-80 | |
| Jan 06, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-89 | |
| Jan 08, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-112 | |
| Jan 09, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 110-96 | |
| Jan 11, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 87-77 | |
| Jan 13, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 97-96 | |
| Jan 16, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 95-91 | |
| Jan 17, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-68 | |
| Jan 19, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 102-96 | |
| Jan 20, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-74 | |
| Jan 22, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 111-99 | |
| Jan 25, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | W 105-100 | |
| Jan 28, 1997 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 114-99 | |
| Jan 30, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 102-96 | |
| Feb 01, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 100-97 | |
| Feb 03, 1997 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 111-89 | |
| Feb 05, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-95 | |
| Feb 11, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 120-98 | |
| Feb 13, 1997 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-86 | |
| Feb 15, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 99-84 | |
| Feb 18, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 113-105 | |
| Feb 20, 1997 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-105 | |
| Feb 23, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 89-87 | |
| Feb 25, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-99 | |
| Feb 27, 1997 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 118-114 | |
| Feb 28, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-105 | |
| Mar 02, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 93-86 | |
| Mar 03, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 111-104 | |
| Mar 05, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 96-65 | |
| Mar 07, 1997 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 95-88 | |
| Mar 09, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 115-106 | |
| Mar 11, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 106-99 | |
| Mar 12, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 117-102 | |
| Mar 14, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 105-96 | |
| Mar 15, 1997 | @ Washington Bullets | W 100-93 | |
| Mar 17, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 114-93 | |
| Mar 19, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | W 113-100 | |
| Mar 22, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 107-94 | |
| Mar 23, 1997 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 120-103 | |
| Mar 28, 1997 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-96 | |
| Mar 29, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 115-102 | |
| Apr 02, 1997 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 118-87 | |
| Apr 04, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-79 | |
| Apr 06, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 114-100 | |
| Apr 07, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 116-93 | |
| Apr 09, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 101-89 | |
| Apr 11, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 104-83 | |
| Apr 13, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-98 | |
| Apr 15, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 127-122 | |
| Apr 17, 1997 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 106-93 | |
| Apr 19, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 101-89 | |
| Apr 20, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 113-109 |