The 1996-97 Houston Rockets season was marked by high expectations and significant achievements. Led by the trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and the newly acquired Charles Barkley, the Rockets aimed to make a deep playoff run. Barkley joined the Rockets in a trade from the Phoenix Suns, adding depth and experience to the roster.
During the regular season, the Rockets finished with a record of 57-25, securing the third seed in the Western Conference. Olajuwon continued to be a dominant force, leading the team in scoring and anchoring their defense. The team was known for its veteran presence, with key contributions from Mario Elie, Kevin Willis, and Sam Cassell, among others. Houston’s defense was particularly noteworthy, ranking among the best in the league.
In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round and the Seattle SuperSonics in the conference semifinals. Their playoff run ended in the Western Conference Finals against the Utah Jazz, where they lost in six games. The series was competitive, but the Jazz’s duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton proved too much for Houston to handle.
Overall, the 1996-97 season was successful for the Rockets, as they proved to be one of the top teams in the league. However, the quest for another championship fell short, prompting the team to consider further adjustments for future campaigns.
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Western Conference Finals: 2-4
Houston Rockets 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% |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 78 | 23.2 | 9.2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 31.3 | 16 | 23.1 | 10.9 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
| Charles Barkley | 53 | 19.2 | 13.5 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 28.3 | 16 | 17.9 | 12.0 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 28.9 |
| Clyde Drexler | 62 | 18.0 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 35.5 | 16 | 18.1 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 37.3 |
| Mario Elie | 78 | 11.7 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 42.0 | 16 | 11.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 40.0 |
| Eddie Johnson | 24 | 11.5 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 38.8 | 16 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 29.8 |
| Kevin Willis | 75 | 11.2 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 14.3 | 16 | 6.4 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Matt Maloney | 82 | 9.4 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 40.4 | 16 | 11.2 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 39.8 |
| Sam Mack | 52 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 33.1 | |||||||
| Brent Price | 25 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 32.1 | |||||||
| Emanual Davis | 13 | 5.0 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 44.4 | |||||||
| Othella Harrington | 57 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 7 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Matt Bullard | 71 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 36.6 | 2 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Randy Livingston | 64 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 40.9 | 2 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Tracy Moore | 27 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 25.6 | |||||||
| Sedale Threatt | 21 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 16 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| Elmer Bennett | 4 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Joe Stephens | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Charles Jones | 12 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Houston Rockets in the 1997 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
In the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Minnesota Timberwolves and secured a commanding 3-0 series victory. Led by the formidable trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler, the Rockets demonstrated their playoff experience and depth, overpowering the young Timberwolves squad. This sweep showcased the Rockets' aspirations for another deep playoff run, with their veteran stars playing pivotal roles.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 112-95 | |
| Apr 26, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 96-84 | |
| Apr 29, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 125-120 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round, a matchup that rekindled their intense rivalry from previous seasons. Led by the formidable trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Charles Barkley, the Rockets overcame the Sonics in a hard-fought seven-game series, showcasing their resilience and veteran prowess. This victory propelled them into the Western Conference Finals, underscoring their status as a formidable playoff contender.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-102 | |
| May 07, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-101 | |
| May 09, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-93 | |
| May 11, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-106 | |
| May 13, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-94 | |
| May 15, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-96 | |
| May 17, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-91 |
1997 Conference Championship vs. Utah Jazz
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals, led by their formidable trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and newly acquired Charles Barkley. Despite their star power and experience, the Rockets fell to the Utah Jazz in a hard-fought six-game series, highlighted by John Stockton's iconic buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game 6 that sealed the series for the Jazz. This marked a turning point for the Rockets, as they began to transition from their mid-90s dominance to a rebuilding phase in the subsequent seasons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 101-86 | |
| May 21, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 104-92 | |
| May 23, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 118-100 | |
| May 25, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 95-92 | |
| May 27, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 96-91 | |
| May 29, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 103-100 |
Houston Rockets 1996-97 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1996-97 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 96-85 | |
| Nov 02, 1996 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 110-95 | |
| Nov 04, 1996 | @ Utah Jazz | W 75-72 | |
| Nov 05, 1996 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 102-80 | |
| Nov 07, 1996 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 110-108 | |
| Nov 09, 1996 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 91-85 | |
| Nov 12, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 126-115 | |
| Nov 14, 1996 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 90-88 | |
| Nov 16, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-103 | |
| Nov 19, 1996 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 122-93 | |
| Nov 21, 1996 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 115-105 | |
| Nov 23, 1996 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 120-115 | |
| Nov 24, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 90-85 | |
| Nov 26, 1996 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-101 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | W 120-94 | |
| Nov 30, 1996 | @ Washington Bullets | W 103-99 | |
| Dec 02, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 100-89 | |
| Dec 04, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 94-89 | |
| Dec 07, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 123-108 | |
| Dec 10, 1996 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 96-94 | |
| Dec 12, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 115-96 | |
| Dec 14, 1996 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-100 | |
| Dec 15, 1996 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-89 | |
| Dec 17, 1996 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 93-92 | |
| Dec 19, 1996 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 115-101 | |
| Dec 21, 1996 | vs. Miami Heat | L 86-66 | |
| Dec 23, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 81-76 | |
| Dec 26, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-90 | |
| Dec 28, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 104-95 | |
| Dec 30, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-91 | |
| Jan 02, 1997 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 112-96 | |
| Jan 04, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 95-91 | |
| Jan 07, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-95 | |
| Jan 08, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 81-78 | |
| Jan 10, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-99 | |
| Jan 11, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 110-86 | |
| Jan 14, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | W 106-86 | |
| Jan 16, 1997 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 89-80 | |
| Jan 17, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 88-78 | |
| Jan 19, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 102-86 | |
| Jan 21, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 114-108 | |
| Jan 23, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-104 | |
| Jan 25, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 105-100 | |
| Jan 30, 1997 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 113-109 | |
| Jan 31, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 100-74 | |
| Feb 02, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-90 | |
| Feb 04, 1997 | @ New York Knicks | L 99-95 | |
| Feb 06, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 96-87 | |
| Feb 11, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-97 | |
| Feb 14, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-85 | |
| Feb 15, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-105 | |
| Feb 17, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 127-98 | |
| Feb 20, 1997 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 107-97 | |
| Feb 21, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 76-74 | |
| Feb 23, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 95-85 | |
| Feb 25, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 100-96 | |
| Feb 27, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 106-95 | |
| Mar 01, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 89-80 | |
| Mar 04, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 113-109 | |
| Mar 05, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 90-85 | |
| Mar 07, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-90 | |
| Mar 09, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 88-83 | |
| Mar 11, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 103-79 | |
| Mar 12, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 96-95 | |
| Mar 16, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-80 | |
| Mar 18, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 97-89 | |
| Mar 20, 1997 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 96-90 | |
| Mar 22, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 104-99 | |
| Mar 25, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 112-103 | |
| Mar 27, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-89 | |
| Mar 29, 1997 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 120-105 | |
| Apr 01, 1997 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 116-99 | |
| Apr 02, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-96 | |
| Apr 04, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 108-94 | |
| Apr 06, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 94-85 | |
| Apr 08, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 127-117 | |
| Apr 10, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 102-94 | |
| Apr 11, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 104-83 | |
| Apr 13, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-73 | |
| Apr 15, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-119 | |
| Apr 18, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 112-102 | |
| Apr 20, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 103-99 |