The 1997-98 Phoenix Suns season was a notable campaign in the franchise’s history, marking their 30th season in the NBA. Under the guidance of head coach Danny Ainge, the team finished the regular season with a record of 56-26. This impressive performance earned them a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference and second in the Pacific Division, showcasing a significant improvement from previous seasons.
The Suns were bolstered by the standout play of Jason Kidd, who was in his second full season with the team. Kidd’s leadership and playmaking abilities were instrumental in the team’s success. Alongside him, the Suns had key contributions from players like Clifford Robinson, who provided veteran experience and scoring, and Rex Chapman, known for his perimeter shooting. The team’s balanced approach on both ends of the floor made them a formidable opponent.
In the playoffs, the Suns faced the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Despite a strong regular season, Phoenix was eliminated in a closely contested five-game series, losing 3-2. The series highlighted the competitive nature of the Western Conference during this era, with many teams featuring high-caliber talent. Although their playoff run was cut short, the 1997-98 season was a step forward for the franchise, setting the stage for future success. Overall, the season is remembered for its competitive spirit and the solid foundation it laid for the team’s future endeavors.
- Regular Season Record: 56-26
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-3
Phoenix Suns 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% |
| Rex Chapman | 68 | 15.9 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 38.6 | 2 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Antonio McDyess | 81 | 15.1 | 7.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 4 | 17.8 | 13.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Clifford Robinson | 80 | 14.2 | 5.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 32.1 | 4 | 6.3 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Danny Manning | 70 | 13.5 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jason Kidd | 82 | 11.6 | 6.2 | 9.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 31.3 | 4 | 14.3 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Johnson | 50 | 9.5 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 15.4 | 4 | 13.8 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 25.0 |
| Cedric Ceballos | 35 | 9.5 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 30.0 | |||||||
| Steve Nash | 76 | 9.1 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 41.5 | 4 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| George McCloud | 63 | 7.2 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 34.1 | 4 | 14.3 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 57.1 |
| Dennis Scott | 29 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 44.9 | 4 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 37.5 |
| Mark Bryant | 70 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 10.0 | 5.8 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Hot Rod Williams | 71 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Horacio Llamas | 8 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Marko Milič | 33 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brooks Thompson | 13 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 31.2 | |||||||
Phoenix Suns in the 1998 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Phoenix Suns faced the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling first-round series. Despite being the lower seed, the Suns managed to push the series to a decisive Game 5, showcasing their resilience and tenacity. Ultimately, Phoenix fell short, losing 3-2, but their competitive spirit against a formidable Spurs team highlighted their determination and potential.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 102-96 | |
| Apr 25, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-101 | |
| Apr 27, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 100-88 | |
| Apr 29, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 99-80 |
Phoenix Suns 1997-98 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1997-98 season for the Phoenix Suns.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-100 | |
| Nov 04, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-84 | |
| Nov 06, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | L 105-75 | |
| Nov 08, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-105 | |
| Nov 12, 1997 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 14, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 140-139 | |
| Nov 16, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 96-94 | |
| Nov 18, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 108-90 | |
| Nov 20, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 89-85 | |
| Nov 26, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-99 | |
| Nov 28, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | W 112-108 | |
| Nov 29, 1997 | @ New York Knicks | L 102-80 | |
| Dec 02, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 90-86 | |
| Dec 03, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 108-103 | |
| Dec 05, 1997 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 110-91 | |
| Dec 07, 1997 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 99-97 | |
| Dec 09, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 107-85 | |
| Dec 11, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 94-78 | |
| Dec 13, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 112-101 | |
| Dec 15, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 111-104 | |
| Dec 16, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 103-90 | |
| Dec 18, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 89-75 | |
| Dec 20, 1997 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 102-81 | |
| Dec 22, 1997 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 91-76 | |
| Dec 26, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 118-100 | |
| Dec 28, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1997 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 100-90 | |
| Jan 02, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 92-85 | |
| Jan 04, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | L 109-99 | |
| Jan 06, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 81-80 | |
| Jan 07, 1998 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 92-77 | |
| Jan 09, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 100-79 | |
| Jan 12, 1998 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 96-90 | |
| Jan 13, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-84 | |
| Jan 16, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 111-86 | |
| Jan 18, 1998 | vs. Miami Heat | W 96-87 | |
| Jan 20, 1998 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 87-69 | |
| Jan 21, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-109 | |
| Jan 23, 1998 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 93-77 | |
| Jan 26, 1998 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 96-91 | |
| Jan 27, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 120-113 | |
| Jan 30, 1998 | @ Miami Heat | W 74-71 | |
| Jan 31, 1998 | @ Orlando Magic | W 96-94 | |
| Feb 02, 1998 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-97 | |
| Feb 03, 1998 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 110-105 | |
| Feb 05, 1998 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 88-86 | |
| Feb 12, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-110 | |
| Feb 14, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 94-81 | |
| Feb 17, 1998 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 95-77 | |
| Feb 18, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 110-103 | |
| Feb 20, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 115-99 | |
| Feb 22, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 97-79 | |
| Feb 24, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 85-84 | |
| Feb 26, 1998 | @ Utah Jazz | L 108-97 | |
| Feb 27, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 104-99 | |
| Mar 01, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 89-87 | |
| Mar 03, 1998 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 98-93 | |
| Mar 05, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 102-93 | |
| Mar 07, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 108-89 | |
| Mar 09, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 134-105 | |
| Mar 10, 1998 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 100-76 | |
| Mar 13, 1998 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 101-77 | |
| Mar 15, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 100-90 | |
| Mar 17, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 107-80 | |
| Mar 18, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 99-93 | |
| Mar 21, 1998 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-102 | |
| Mar 22, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 93-83 | |
| Mar 24, 1998 | @ Utah Jazz | L 92-73 | |
| Mar 25, 1998 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 99-97 | |
| Mar 27, 1998 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 89-85 | |
| Mar 29, 1998 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-98 | |
| Mar 31, 1998 | @ Houston Rockets | W 97-86 | |
| Apr 04, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 90-83 | |
| Apr 06, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-92 | |
| Apr 07, 1998 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 103-97 | |
| Apr 10, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-105 | |
| Apr 12, 1998 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 129-106 | |
| Apr 13, 1998 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 105-97 | |
| Apr 15, 1998 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 96-89 | |
| Apr 17, 1998 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 102-99 | |
| Apr 19, 1998 | @ Houston Rockets | W 123-93 |