The 1997-98 Atlanta Hawks finished the NBA regular season with a 50-32 record, securing fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Under the guidance of head coach Lenny Wilkens, the team was known for its strong defense, which ranked third in the league, allowing only 89.1 points per game.
Steve Smith led the team offensively, averaging 20.1 points per game, while Dikembe Mutombo dominated the defensive end, contributing with 11.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, earning him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. Mookie Blaylock was also instrumental, providing 13.8 points and 6.7 assists per game.
The Hawks advanced to the playoffs, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 3-1 in the first round. However, they fell to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, losing the series 4-1. Despite the playoff exit, the season was considered successful, with the team showcasing a balanced and disciplined approach.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 1-3
Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats for 1997-98 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Steve Smith | 73 | 20.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 35.1 | 4 | 24.8 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 50.0 |
| Alan Henderson | 69 | 14.3 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 50.0 | 4 | 12.8 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Christian Laettner | 74 | 13.8 | 6.6 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 22.2 | 4 | 9.8 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 82 | 13.4 | 11.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 12.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Mookie Blaylock | 70 | 13.2 | 4.9 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 26.9 | 4 | 14.8 | 5.0 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 29.6 |
| Tyrone Corbin | 79 | 10.2 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 34.8 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 16.7 |
| Eldridge Recasner | 59 | 9.3 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 41.9 | 4 | 7.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 58.3 |
| Ed Gray | 30 | 7.6 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 39.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chucky Brown | 77 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 25.0 | 4 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Chris Crawford | 40 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Brian Oliver | 5 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Miller | 37 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Drew Barry | 27 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 42.9 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Greg Anderson | 50 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Randy Livingston | 12 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Donald Whiteside | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

Atlanta Hawks in the 1998 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Charlotte Hornets
In the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Charlotte Hornets in the first round. The Hawks, led by Steve Smith and Dikembe Mutombo, showcased their defensive prowess, ultimately winning the series 3-1. Their victory was highlighted by Mutombo's dominant shot-blocking and rebounding, setting the stage for a second-round clash with the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 97-87 | |
| Apr 25, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 92-85 | |
| Apr 28, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 96-64 | |
| May 01, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 91-82 |

Atlanta Hawks 1997-98 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1997-98 season for the Atlanta Hawks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | W 105-99 | |
| Nov 01, 1997 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 90-85 | |
| Nov 04, 1997 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 82-71 | |
| Nov 05, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 93-88 | |
| Nov 07, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 80-78 | |
| Nov 08, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-97 | |
| Nov 11, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 89-87 | |
| Nov 12, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 89-86 | |
| Nov 14, 1997 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 104-103 | |
| Nov 16, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 89-83 | |
| Nov 18, 1997 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 98-89 | |
| Nov 20, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | L 100-79 | |
| Nov 22, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 87-85 | |
| Nov 26, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 109-104 | |
| Nov 29, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 98-80 | |
| Nov 30, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-96 | |
| Dec 02, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 112-79 | |
| Dec 04, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 94-87 | |
| Dec 09, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | L 97-81 | |
| Dec 11, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 94-78 | |
| Dec 12, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 83-74 | |
| Dec 14, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 93-89 | |
| Dec 15, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-90 | |
| Dec 17, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-83 | |
| Dec 19, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 98-96 | |
| Dec 20, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 99-92 | |
| Dec 22, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 101-99 | |
| Dec 26, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 27, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 97-90 | |
| Jan 02, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-106 | |
| Jan 03, 1998 | @ Utah Jazz | L 97-82 | |
| Jan 07, 1998 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 106-86 | |
| Jan 09, 1998 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 82-77 | |
| Jan 11, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | W 107-102 | |
| Jan 13, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | W 91-89 | |
| Jan 14, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 108-82 | |
| Jan 16, 1998 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 102-89 | |
| Jan 17, 1998 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-81 | |
| Jan 20, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-93 | |
| Jan 21, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 90-76 | |
| Jan 23, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 89-85 | |
| Jan 24, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 92-77 | |
| Jan 26, 1998 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 96-91 | |
| Jan 27, 1998 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 113-96 | |
| Jan 29, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 109-99 | |
| Jan 31, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 103-83 | |
| Feb 02, 1998 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-83 | |
| Feb 03, 1998 | @ Orlando Magic | L 91-90 | |
| Feb 05, 1998 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 108-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1998 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 108-100 | |
| Feb 13, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 112-110 | |
| Feb 14, 1998 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 96-92 | |
| Feb 16, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 85-81 | |
| Feb 18, 1998 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 114-104 | |
| Feb 20, 1998 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 115-92 | |
| Feb 25, 1998 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 112-88 | |
| Feb 27, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 90-88 | |
| Mar 01, 1998 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 101-76 | |
| Mar 06, 1998 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 115-94 | |
| Mar 08, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-96 | |
| Mar 11, 1998 | @ Boston Celtics | W 110-105 | |
| Mar 13, 1998 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-86 | |
| Mar 15, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 93-77 | |
| Mar 17, 1998 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 117-105 | |
| Mar 19, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 84-81 | |
| Mar 20, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-108 | |
| Mar 22, 1998 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 105-98 | |
| Mar 24, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 85-73 | |
| Mar 27, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 89-74 | |
| Mar 29, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 118-95 | |
| Mar 31, 1998 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 105-90 | |
| Apr 01, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 105-91 | |
| Apr 03, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 107-87 | |
| Apr 05, 1998 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 97-96 | |
| Apr 07, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | W 92-79 | |
| Apr 09, 1998 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 105-102 | |
| Apr 10, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 99-87 | |
| Apr 12, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | W 91-81 | |
| Apr 14, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 95-94 | |
| Apr 15, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 82-70 | |
| Apr 17, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 121-104 | |
| Apr 19, 1998 | vs. Miami Heat | W 101-89 |
