Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:1996–97 Utah Jazz season

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NBA season
| team = Utah Jazz
| end_year = 1997
| ConferenceWin =yes
| DivisionWin = yes
| wins = 64
| losses = 18
| division = Midwest
| division_place = 1
| conf_place = 1
| coach = [[Jerry Sloan]]
| gm = Tim Howells
| owner = [[Larry H. Miller]]
| arena = [[Delta Center]]
| playoffs = [[1997 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]<br><small>(lost to [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Bulls]] 2–4)</small>
| bbr_team = UTA
| television =
* [[KJZZ-TV]]
* [[AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain|Fox Sports Utah]]
| radio = [[KNIT (AM)|KFNZ]]
}}

The '''[[1996–97 NBA season]]''' was the Jazz's 23rd season in the [[National Basketball Association]], and 18th season in [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html|title = 1996-97 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats}}</ref> Prior to the start of the season, the Jazz changed their primary logo that more closely reflects the state of Utah, featuring purple mountains and light blue in the script,<ref>{{cite news | title = Utah Jazz Logo | work = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net| date = | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/8316e7nrg5xuouqqo21bjgem9/Utah_Jazz/1997/Primary_Logo | access-date = July 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Falk|first=Aaron|title=The Note: The history of the Utah Jazz's Purple Mountains|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/note-history-utah-jazzs-purple-mountains|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=UtahJazz.com|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=History of the Jazz Name and Logo|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/features/1011_historyofthenamelogo.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=UtahJazz.com|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> plus adding new uniforms.<ref>{{cite news | title = Utah Jazz Uniform | work = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | date = | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/bf4fw9xbflo9zqf9oiepoui9h/Utah_Jazz/1997/Home_Uniform | access-date = July 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Utah Jazz Uniform | work = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net | date = | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/yi3vrny729ajnq7yvl3dz0jah/Utah_Jazz/1997/Road_Uniform | access-date = July 7, 2021}}</ref> The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they went on a 15-game winning streak between November and December after a 2–2 start to the season.<ref>{{cite news | last =  | first =  | title = Jazz 110, Pacers 86 | work = United Press International | date = December 11, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/12/11/Jazz-110-Pacers-86/3540850280400/ | access-date = November 9, 2022}}</ref> With a 33–14 record at midseason,<ref>{{cite news | title = NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 | access-date = July 19, 2022}}</ref> the Jazz then posted a 31–4 record after the All-Star break, where they posted another 15-game winning streak between March and April,<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Shaq Beats Buzzer for 100-98 Win Over Jazz | work = Deseret News | date = April 14, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/4/14/19306540/shaq-beats-buzzer-for-100-98-win-over-jazz | access-date = October 22, 2022}}</ref> winning 19 of their final 20 games, and finishing first place in the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64–18.<ref name="results">{{cite web|title=1996–97 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997_games.html|access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> They made their fourteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news | title = Utah Jazz | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/ | access-date = January 21, 2022}}</ref> The team also had the second best home record in the league with a 38–3 record at the [[Delta Center]].

[[Karl Malone]] averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game as he took home [[Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] honors, finishing in first place ahead of [[Michael Jordan]] in Most Valuable Player voting,<ref>{{cite news | last = Facer | first = Dirk | title = It's MVP Malone | work = Deseret News | date = May 1, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/1/19309775/it-s-mvp-malone | access-date = October 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Malone Beats Out Jordan for M.V.P | work = The New York Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/19/sports/malone-beats-out-jordan-for-mvp.html | access-date = July 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mvp.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}</ref> while being named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, [[John Stockton]] averaged 14.4 points, led the league with 10.5 assists, and contributed 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Both Malone and Stockton were selected for the [[1997 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite news | last =  | first =  | title = Does Stockton Deserve to Be on All-Star Team? | work = Deseret News | date = January 30, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/1/30/19292249/does-stockton-deserve-to-be-on-all-star-team?_amp=true | access-date = November 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home | work = Deseret News | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/8/19293914/no-offense-but-malone-would-rather-be-home | access-date = April 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Fry | first = Darrell | title = On to the Next Stage | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ | access-date = December 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 | access-date = May 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}}</ref> [[Jeff Hornacek]] provided the team with 14.5 points and 1.5 steals per game, while [[Bryon Russell]] showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 10.8 points and 1.4 steals per game, second-year center [[Greg Ostertag]] averaged 7.3 points and rebounds per game each, and led the team with 2.0 blocks per game, and [[Antoine Carr]] contributed 7.4 points per game off the bench.<ref name="roster">{{cite web|title=1996–97 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html|access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> Head coach [[Jerry Sloan]] finished in third place in [[NBA Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]] voting.<ref>{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Trail Blazers Fire Too-Slow Carlesimo | work = Chicago Tribune | date = May 9, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-09-9705090084-story.html | access-date = January 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =  | first =  | title = Riley Coach of Year; Sloan 3rd | work = Deseret News | date = May 9, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/9/19311801/riley-coach-of-year-sloan-3rd | access-date = January 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Bird Will Cut Coaching Teeth at Highest Level | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = May 9, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/may/09/bird-will-cut-coaching-teeth-at-highest-level/ | access-date = May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1996-97 Regular Season Award Winners | work = Eskimo North | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref>

In the [[1997 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], the Jazz got off to a flying start in the Western Conference First Round sweeping the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|Los Angeles Clippers]] in three straight games.<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Jazz Gets a Sweep of Its Own | work = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/jazz-gets-a-sweep-of-its-own.html | access-date = May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Plaschke | first = Bill | title = It's Over, But at Least There Is Hope Now | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 29, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-29-sp-53548-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =  | first =  | title = Jazz 104, Clippers 92 | work = United Press International | date = April 29, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/04/29/Jazz-104-Clippers-92/7061862286400/ | access-date = November 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Clippers vs. Jazz | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-first-round-clippers-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref> In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they continued to roll easily knocking the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] four games to one.<ref>{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Malone and Stockton Star in Same Old Story | work = The New York Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/sports/malone-and-stockton-star-in-same-old-story.html | access-date = May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Lakers Get Aired Out | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58320-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Mims | first = Bob | title = Jazz 98, Lakers 93 | work = The Washington Post | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/utalal5.htm | access-date = November 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers vs. Jazz | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-semifinals-lakers-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref> In the Western Conference finals, they took a 2–0 series lead over the [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]], who were led by [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], [[Charles Barkley]] and [[Clyde Drexler]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Jazz 104, Rockets 92 | work = Associated Press | date = May 21, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/2c8e91cbe65093a01945fcf9c037ab01 | access-date = February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Jazz No-Names Introduce Themselves to Rockets | work = The New York Times | date = May 22, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/22/sports/jazz-no-names-introduce-themselves-to-rockets.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Rockets Bruised, Battered by Jazz | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 22, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-22-sp-61399-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}}</ref> However, the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece, as Rockets forward [[Eddie Johnson (basketball, born 1959)|Eddie Johnson]] hit a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer to win Game 4, 95–92.<ref>{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Rockets 95, Jazz 92 | work = Associated Press | date = May 25, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/0aaa18550f057b0d67f83d2cd4d26e45 | access-date = February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = A Bolt of 0.2-Second Lightning in Houston | work = The New York Times | date = May 26, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/26/sports/a-bolt-of-0.2-second-lightning-in-houston.html | access-date = May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Rockets Are No Longer a Longshot | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 26, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-26-sp-62713-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}}</ref> After the Jazz took Game 5 at home, 96–91,<ref>{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Resurgent Malone Puts Jazz Ahead | work = The New York Times | date = May 28, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/28/sports/resurgent-malone-puts-jazz-ahead.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = It's All in the Delivery | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 28, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-28-sp-63146-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = Jazz 96, Rockets 91 | work = Chicago Tribune | date = May 28, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-28-9705280200-story.html | access-date = February 24, 2023}}</ref> Game 6 would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime, until Stockton nailed a three-point buzzer beater that launched the Jazz to the [[1997 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Rockets on the road, 103–100.<ref>{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Stockton Sends Jazz to Finals at Last Second | work = The New York Times | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/30/sports/stockton-sends-jazz-to-finals-at-last-second.html | access-date = July 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Jazz Toots Its Own Horn, Now Gets to Face the Music | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-30-sp-63941-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = Clyde Ticked at Pick, Says He Was 'Hugged' | work = Deseret News | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/30/19314914/clyde-ticked-at-pick-says-he-was-hugged | access-date = October 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference Finals: Rockets vs. Jazz | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-finals-rockets-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref> In their first trip to the finals, the Jazz lost in six games to Jordan, [[Scottie Pippen]] and the defending champion [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's | work = The New York Times | date = June 14, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/14/sports/a-fistful-of-rings-bulls-grab-fifth-title-of-90-s.html | access-date = January 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Bulls Get Fifth Element | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 14, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-14-sp-3291-story.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Johnson | first = K.C. | title = Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There | work = Chicago Tribune | date = June 16, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-16-9706160169-story,amp.html | access-date = June 24, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Benson | first = Lee | title = Chicago Heartbreaker | work = Deseret News | date = June 14, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/6/14/19317754/chicago-heartbreaker | access-date = December 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-finals-jazz-vs-bulls.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref>

One notable highlight of the season was the Jazz trailing 70–36 at halftime to the [[1996–97 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] at home on November 27, 1996, but came back from a 34-point deficit, outscoring the Nuggets 71–33 in the second half to win the game, 107–103.<ref>{{cite news | last = Evans | first = Richard | title = Dead? Buried? No Way, Say Jazz | work = Deseret News | date = November 28, 1996 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1996/11/28/19279542/dead-buried-no-way-say-jazz | access-date = February 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =  | first =  | title = Jazz 107, Nuggets 103 | work = Associated Press | date = November 28, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/9b8eaaddf9ee902ffd9433d342f02150 | access-date = June 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Jazz Zips Back in Record Style | work = The New York Times | date = November 29, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/29/sports/jazz-zips-back-in-record-style.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz Box Score, November 27, 1996 | work = Basketball-Reference | date =  | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199611270UTA.html | access-date = November 18, 2022}}</ref> The Jazz's new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2004.

==Draft picks==
{{main article|1996 NBA draft}}

{| class="wikitable sortable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="10%"| Round
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="10%"| Pick
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="20%"| Player
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="15%"| Position
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="15%"| Nationality
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="20%"| College
|- style="text-align: center"
| 1 || 25 || [[Martin Müürsepp]] || PF/SF || {{EST}} ||
|- style="text-align: center"
| 2 || 54 || [[Shandon Anderson]] || SF/SG || {{flagu|United States}} || Georgia
|}

==Roster==
{{NBA roster header|team=Utah Jazz|season=1996–97
| bg1 = #4D1A7F | color1 = #5DADEC
| bg2 = #008290 | color2 = #FFFFFF}}
<!-- list of players -->
{{player2 | num = 40 | first = Shandon | last = Anderson | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 208 | DOB = 1973–12–31 | college = University of Georgia}}
{{player2 | num = 55 | first = Antoine | last = Carr | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1961–07–23 | college = Wichita State}}
{{player2 | num = 10 | first = Howard | last = Eisley | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 177 | DOB = 1972–12–04 | college = Boston College}}
{{player2 | num = 44 | first = Greg | last = Foster | dab = basketball | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 240 | DOB = 1968–10–03 | college =  University of Texas at El Paso}}
{{player2 | num = 14 | first = Jeff | last = Hornacek | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 1963–05–03 | college = Iowa State}}
{{player2 | num = 43 | first = Stephen | last = Howard | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 230 | DOB = 1970–05–15 | college =  DePaul University}}
{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Adam| last = Keefe | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 230 | DOB = 1970–02–22 | college = Stanford}}
{{player2 | num = 32 | first = Karl | last = Malone | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 250 | DOB = 1963–07–24 | college = Louisiana Tech | note = C}}
{{player2 | num = 34 | first = Chris | last = Morris | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1966–01–20 | college = Auburn}}
{{player2 | num = 00 | first = Greg | last = Ostertag | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 2 | lbs = 280 | DOB = 1973–03–06 | college = Kansas}}
{{player2 | num = 3 |  first = Bryon | last = Russell | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1970–12–31 | college = Long Beach State}}
{{player2 | num = 12 | first = John | last = Stockton | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 1962–03–26 | college = Gonzaga | note = C}}
<!-- end list of players -->
{{NBA roster footer
| head_coach =
* [[Jerry Sloan]]
| asst_coach =
* [[Gordon Chiesa]]
* David Fredman
* [[Phil Johnson (basketball, born 1941)|Phil Johnson]]
* [[Kenny Natt]]
| roster_url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html
| accessdate = March 5, 1997
}}

===Roster Notes===
* Small forward [[Jamie Watson (basketball)|Jamie Watson]] was waived on March 5.

==Regular season==

===Season standings===
{{1996–97 NBA Midwest standings|team=UTA}}
{{1996–97 NBA West standings|team=UTA}}
:'''z''' – clinched division title
:'''y''' – clinched division title
:'''x''' – clinched playoff spot

<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html 1996–97 NBA season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Record vs. opponents===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=30|1996-97 NBA Records
|-
!width=100|Team
!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|ATL
!style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|BOS
!style="background:#008080;color:#800080;width=35"|CHA
!style="background:#FF0000;color:#000000;width=35"|CHI
!style="background:#000000;color:#5787DC;width=35"|CLE
!style="background:#00008B;color:#008000;width=35"|DAL
!style="background:#141A44;color:#BC2224;width=35"|DEN
!style="background:#0C7674;color:#BB222C;width=35"|DET
!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFD700;width=35"|GSW
!style="background:#002366;color:#FF0000;width=35"|HOU
!style="background:#000080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|IND
!style="background:#F9160D;color:#1A2E8B;width=35"|LAC
!style="background:#800080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|LAL
!style="background:#000000;color:#8B0000;width=35"|MIA
!style="background:#00471B;color:#5C378A;width=35"|MIL
!style="background:#044D80;color:#000000;width=35"|MIN
!style="background:#DC143C;color:#0000CD;width=35"|NJN
!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|NYK
!style="background:#0000FF;color:#000000;width=35"|ORL
!style="background:#FF0000;color:#0000FF;width=35"|PHI
!style="background:#800080;color:#FF4500;width=35"|PHX
!style="background:#000000;color:#FF0000;width=35"|POR
!style="background:#6846A8;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|SAC
!style="background:#000000;color:#C0C0C0;width=35"|SAS
!style="background:#005831;color:#992634;width=35"|SEA
!style="background:#7436BF;color:#BE0F34;width=35"|TOR
!style="background:#644A9C;color:#149BC7;width=35"|UTA
!style="background:#0CB2AC;color:#000000;width=35"|VAN
!style="background:#DC143C;color:#0000CD;width=35"|WAS
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
|| — || 3–1 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–2 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 1–3 || 3–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
|| 1–3 || — || 0–4 || 0–4 || 1–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–4
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]]
|| 3–1 || 4–0 || — || 0–4 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–2 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 1–2 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 3–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
|| 3–1 || 4–0 || 4–0 || — || 3–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 3–0 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
|| 1–3 || 2–1 || 1–3 || 1–3 || — || 2–0 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 3–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas]]
|| 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || — || 3–1 || 0–2 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 3–1 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Denver Nuggets season|Denver]]
|| 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–3 || — || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 1–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
|| 3–1 || 4–0 || 2–2 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 2–0 || — || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 1–2 || 2–2 || 2–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 4–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State]]
|| 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 0–2 || — || 0–4 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 0–4 || 2–0 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
|| 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 4–0 || — || 1–1 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 2–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]]
|| 1–3 || 2–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 1–1 || — || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 3–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
|| 0–2 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 1–3 || 0–2 || — || 2–2 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 2–0 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
|| 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 2–2 || — || 1–1 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 2–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Miami Heat season|Miami]]
|| 2–1 || 4–0 || 2–1 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || — || 4–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 3–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
|| 0–4 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–4 || — || 0–2 || 2–1 || 1–2 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
|| 0–2 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 4–0 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 2–0 || — || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 4–0 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 1–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]
|| 1–3 || 4–0 || 0–4 || 1–3 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–2 || 0–2 || — || 2–2 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–3 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 New York Knicks season|New York]]
|| 3–1 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–1 || 1–1 || 2–2 || — || 3–1 || 3–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 3–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 4–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]
|| 1–3 || 4–0 || 2–1 || 0–3 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 1–3 || — || 2–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
|| 0–4 || 3–1 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 0–3 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–2 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–3 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 2–3 || 2–2 || — || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
|| 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–1 || — || 1–3 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 1–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
|| 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 3–1 || — || 2–2 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
|| 0–2 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 2–2 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–4 || 2–2 || — || 3–1 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 4–0 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio]]
|| 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 0–4 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 0–4 || 1–3 || — || 0–4 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 0–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle]]
|| 1–1 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 1–3 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–2 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 4–0 || — || 2–0 || 1–3 || 4–0 || 2–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]
|| 0–4 || 1–3 || 2–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 1–1 || 3–0 || 0–3 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 0–2 || — || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2–2
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utah
|| 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 4–0 || 1–1 || 4–0 || 2–2 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 3–1 || 2–2 || 4–0 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 1–1 || — || 4–0 || 2–0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies season|Vancouver]]
|| 0–2 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 1–3 || 0–2 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 0–4 || 0–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 0–4 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 0–4 || 1–1 || 0–4 || — || 1–1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[1996–97 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]
|| 1–2 || 4–0 || 1–3 || 1–2 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 1–1 || 0–4 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 3–1 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 1–3 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 3–1 || 0–4 || 3–1 || 3–1 || 1–1 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 2–0 || 0–2 || 2–2 || 0–2 || 1–1 || —
|}

===Game log===
{{Game log start|style=background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC;|title=1996-97 game log}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=November: 11–2 (home: 8–1; road: 3–1)| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 1 || November 1 || Seattle || '''W''' 99–91 || [[Karl Malone]] (27) || [[Karl Malone]] (13) || [[John Stockton|Stockton]] & [[Jeff Hornacek|Hornacek]] (8) || Delta Center<br>19,911 || 1–0
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 2 || November 2 || @ L.A. Clippers || '''W''' 95–90 || [[Karl Malone]] (21) || [[Karl Malone]] (12) || [[John Stockton]] (7) || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena<br>13,041 || 2–0
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 3 || November 4 || Houston || L 72–75 || [[Karl Malone]] (16) || [[Karl Malone]] (14) || [[Jeff Hornacek]] (5) || Delta Center<br>19,911 || 2–1
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 4 || November 9 || @ Houston || L 85–91 || [[Karl Malone]] (32) || [[Karl Malone]] (11) || [[John Stockton]] (6) || The Summit<br>16,285 || 2–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 5 || November 13 || Sacramento || '''W''' 105–74 || [[Karl Malone]] (22) || [[Greg Ostertag]] (13) || [[John Stockton]] (10) || Delta Center<br>19,283 || 3–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 6 || November 15 || Vancouver || '''W''' 104–96 || [[Karl Malone]] (21) || [[Greg Ostertag]] (20) || [[John Stockton]] (18) || Delta Center<br>19,046 || 4–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 7 || November 16 || @ Dallas || '''W''' 88–87 || [[John Stockton]] (23) || [[Bryon Russell]] (13) || [[John Stockton]] (8) || Reunion Arena<br>15,947 || 5–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 8 || November 20 || @ L.A. Lakers || '''W''' 113–97 || [[Karl Malone]] (37) || [[Greg Ostertag]] (9) || [[John Stockton]] (13) || Great Western Fourm<br>16,122 || 6–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 9 || November 21 || Golden State || '''W''' 109–104 (OT) || || || || Delta Center<br>18,889 || 7–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 10 || November 23 || Chicago || '''W'''105–100 || || || || Delta Center<br>19,911 || 8–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 11 || November 25 || New Jersey || '''W''' 108–92 || || || || Delta Center<br>19,132 || 9–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 12 || November 27 || Denver || '''W''' 107–103 || || || || Delta Center<br>19,324 || 10–2
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 13 || November 29 || L.A. Clippers || '''W''' 111–94 || || || || Delta Center<br>19,381 || 11–2
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=December: 11-5 (home: 7-1; road: 4-4)| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 14 || Dec 1 || at Seattle SuperSonics || 96-90 W || || || || KeyArena at Seattle Center/17,072 || 12-2
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 15 || Dec 2 || vs Charlotte Hornets || 107-97 W || || || || Delta Center/19,410 || 13-2
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 16 || Dec 4 || vs Los Angeles Lakers || 101-75 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 14-2
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 17 || Dec 6 || vs Minnesota Timberwolves || 106-95 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 15-2
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 18 || Dec 7 || at Denver Nuggets || 104-91 W || || || || McNichols Sports Arena/12,837 || 16-2
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 19 || Dec 10 || vs Indiana Pacers || 110-86 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 17-2
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 20 || Dec 12 || vs Phoenix Suns || 87-95 L || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 17-3
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 21 || Dec 14 || vs Orlando Magic || 101-68 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 18-3
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 22 || Dec 17 || at New York Knicks || 94-99 L || || || || Madison Square Garden/19,763 || 18-4
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 23 || Dec 19 || at Miami Heat || 94-87 W OT || || || || Miami Arena/14,919 || 19-4
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 24 || Dec 20 || at Orlando Magic || 98-93 W || || || || Orlando Arena/17,248 || 20-4
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 25 || Dec 22 || at Cleveland Cavaliers || 94-100 L || || || || Gund Arena/17,205 || 20-5
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 26 || Dec 23 || at Minnesota Timberwolves || 98-107 L || || || || Target Center/14,434 || 20-6
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 27 || Dec 26 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 99-94 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 21-6
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 28 || Dec 28 || vs Philadelphia 76ers || 110-84 W || || || || Delta Center/19,911 || 22-6
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 29 || Dec 30 || at Los Angeles Clippers || 101-115 L || || || || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena || 22-7
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=January: 9-6 (home: 5-0; road: 4-6)| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 30 || Jan 2 || at San Antonio Spurs || 80-83 L || || || || Alamodome/15,220 || 22-8
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 31 || Jan 4 || vs Miami Heat || 83-80 W || || || || Delta Center || 23-8
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 32 || Jan 6 || at Chicago Bulls || 89-102 L || || || || United Center || 23-9
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 33 || Jan 8 || at Milwaukee Bucks || 112-119 L OT || || || || Bradley Center || 23-10
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 34 || Jan 9 || at Toronto Raptors || 96-110 L || || || || SkyDome || 23-11
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 35 || Jan 11 || at Detroit Pistons || 77-87 L || || || || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 23-12
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 36 || Jan 13 || at Philadelphia 76ers || 97-96 W OT || || || || CoreStates Center || 24-12
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 37 || Jan 16 || vs Phoenix Suns || 95-91 W || || || || Delta Center || 25-12
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 38 || Jan 17 || at Vancouver Grizzlies || 106-68 W || || || || General Motors Place || 26-12
|-
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 39 || Jan 19 || at Portland Trail Blazers || 96-102 L || || || || Rose Garden Arena || 26-13
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 40 || Jan 20 || vs Cleveland Cavaliers || 94-74 W || || || || Delta Center || 27-13
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 41 || Jan 22 || at Phoenix Suns || 111-99 W || || || || America West Arena || 28-13
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 42 || Jan 25 || at Houston Rockets || 105-100 W OT || || || || The Summit || 29-13
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 43 || Jan 28 || vs Denver Nuggets || 114-99 W || || || || Delta Center || 30-13
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 44 || Jan 30 || vs Atlanta Hawks || 102-96 W || || || || Delta Center || 31-13
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=February: 9-3 (home: 7-1; road: 2-2)| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
|- style="background:#fbb;"
| 45 || Feb 1 || at Dallas Mavericks || 97-100 L || || || || Reunion Arena || 31-14
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 46 || Feb 3 || vs Washington Bullets || 111-89 W || || || || Delta Center || 32-14
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 47 || Feb 5 || at Seattle SuperSonics || 99-95 W || || || || KeyArena at Seattle Center || 33-14
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 48 || Feb 11 || at Sacramento Kings || 120-98 W || || || || ARCO Arena || 34-14
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 49 || Feb 13 || vs Portland Trail Blazers || 110-86 W || || || || Delta Center || 35-14
|-
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 50 || Feb 15 || vs Dallas Mavericks || 99-84 W || || || || Delta Center || 36-14
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=March| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#008290; color:#FFFFFF|title=April| Game| Date| Opponent| Score| High points| High rebounds| High assists| Location/Attendance| Record}}
{{Game log section end}}
|-
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997_games.html 1996-97 Schedule]
{{Game log end}}

==Playoffs==

{{NBA game log start|Utah Jazz|end_year=1997|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#4D1A7F|color=#5DADEC}}
{{NBA game log section|Utah Jazz|First Round|first=yes|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#008290|color=#FFFFFF
| home_wins = 2
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| April 24
| [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704240UTA.html W 106–86]
| [[Karl Malone]] (27)
| [[Karl Malone]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (17)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| April 26
| [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704260UTA.html W 105–99]
| [[Karl Malone]] (39)
| [[Karl Malone]] (11)
| [[John Stockton|Stockton]], [[Jeff Hornacek|Hornacek]] (4)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| April 28
| @ [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704280LAC.html W 104–92]
| [[Karl Malone]] (26)
| [[Karl Malone]] (13)
| [[John Stockton]] (13)
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena]]<br>11,747
| 3–0
|-
{{NBA game log section|Utah Jazz|Conference semifinals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#008290|color=#FFFFFF
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 1
}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| May 4
| [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705040UTA.html W 93–77]
| [[Karl Malone]] (23)
| [[Karl Malone]] (13)
| [[Jeff Hornacek]] (7)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| May 6
| [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705060UTA.html W 103–101]
| [[Karl Malone]] (31)
| [[Karl Malone]] (11)
| [[Jeff Hornacek|Hornacek]], [[John Stockton|Stockton]] (7)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 3
| May 8
| @ [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705080LAL.html L 84–104]
| [[Jeff Hornacek]] (26)
| [[Karl Malone]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (8)
| [[Great Western Forum]]<br>17,505
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| May 10
| @ [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705100LAL.html W 110–95]
| [[Bryon Russell]] (29)
| [[Bryon Russell]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (11)
| [[Great Western Forum]]<br>17,505
| 3–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 5
| May 12
| [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705120UTA.html W 98–93 (OT)]
| [[Karl Malone]] (32)
| [[Karl Malone]] (20)
| [[John Stockton]] (10)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 4–1
|-
{{NBA game log section|Utah Jazz|Conference finals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#008290|color=#FFFFFF
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 2
}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| May 19
| [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705190UTA.html W 101–86]
| [[Karl Malone]] (21)
| [[Karl Malone]] (13)
| [[John Stockton]] (13)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| May 21
| [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705210UTA.html W 104–92]
| [[John Stockton]] (26)
| [[Karl Malone]] (15)
| [[John Stockton]] (12)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 3
| May 23
| @ [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705230HOU.html L 100–118]
| [[Karl Malone]] (21)
| [[Greg Ostertag]] (9)
| [[John Stockton]] (10)
| [[The Summit (Houston)|The Summit]]<br>16,285
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 4
| May 25
| @ [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705250HOU.html L 92–95]
| [[Karl Malone|Malone]], [[John Stockton|Stockton]] (22)
| [[Karl Malone]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (8)
| [[The Summit (Houston)|The Summit]]<br>16,285
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 5
| May 27
| [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705270UTA.html W 96–91]
| [[Karl Malone]] (29)
| [[Karl Malone]] (14)
| [[John Stockton]] (6)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 3–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| May 29
| @ [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705290HOU.html W 103–100]
| [[John Stockton]] (25)
| [[Greg Ostertag]] (14)
| [[John Stockton]] (13)
| [[The Summit (Houston)|The Summit]]<br>16,285
| 4–2
|-
{{NBA game log section|Utah Jazz|NBA Finals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#008290|color=#FFFFFF
| home_wins = 2
| home_losses = 1
| road_wins = 0
| road_losses = 3
}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| June 1
| @ [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706010CHI.html L 82–84]
| [[Karl Malone]] (23)
| [[Karl Malone]] (15)
| [[John Stockton]] (12)
| [[United Center]]<br>24,544
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| June 4
| @ [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706040CHI.html L 85–97]
| [[Karl Malone]] (20)
| [[Karl Malone]] (13)
| [[John Stockton]] (7)
| [[United Center]]<br>24,544
| 0–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| June 6
| [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706060UTA.html W 104–93]
| [[Karl Malone]] (37)
| [[Karl Malone]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (12)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 1–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| June 8
| [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706080UTA.html W 78–73]
| [[Karl Malone]] (23)
| [[Karl Malone]] (10)
| [[John Stockton]] (12)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| June 11
| [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706110UTA.html L 88–90]
| [[Karl Malone]] (19)
| [[Greg Ostertag]] (15)
| [[Karl Malone]] (6)
| [[Delta Center]]<br>19,911
| 2–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 6
| June 13
| @ [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago]]
| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199706110UTA.html L 86–90]
| [[Karl Malone]] (21)
| [[Greg Ostertag]] (8)
| [[John Stockton]] (5)
| [[United Center]]<br>24,544
| 2–4
|-
{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=UTA|end_year=1997|playoffs=yes}}

===NBA Finals===
In the Finals, the Jazz faced the [[Chicago Bulls]] losing the first two games on the road. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the [[Delta Center]] continued their home court advantage by taking Game 3, and Game 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead in Game 5, the Jazz were beaten by a heroic performance by [[Michael Jordan]] playing with the flu like ailment 90–88.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Weary Jordan Wills His Team Just One Away | work = The New York Times | date = June 12, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/12/sports/weary-jordan-wills-his-team-just-one-away.html | accessdate = May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Jordan Makes Jazz Air Sick | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 12, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-12-sp-2600-story.html | access-date = November 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J.A. | title = Ill Star Lifts Bulls in Game 5 | work = The Washington Post | date = June 12, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/jordan/articles/mjsick97.htm | access-date = May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Queasy Does It | work = Chicago Tribune | date = June 12, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-12-9706120226-story,amp.html | access-date = January 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Rock | first = Brad | title = Jordan Mere Mortal? Don't You Believe It! | work = Deseret News | date = June 12, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/6/12/19317319/jordan-mere-mortal-don-t-you-believe-it | access-date = December 27, 2022}}</ref> Back in Chicago for Game 6, the Jazz battled the Bulls tightly before falling by four points as the Bulls won their fifth title in seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/utah/jazz.html |title=Utah Jazz (1979-Present) |publisher=Sportsecyclopedia.com |date= |accessdate=2015-12-17}}</ref>

==Player statistics==
{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

'''NOTE:''' Please write players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

===Season===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="10%" | Player
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | GP
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | GS
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | MPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | FG%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | 3FG%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | FT%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | RPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | APG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | SPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | BPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | PPG
|-
| {{sort|Anderson, Shandon|[[Shandon Anderson]]}}
| 65 || 0 || 16.4 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Carr, Antoine|[[Antoine Carr]]}}
| 82 || 0 || 17.8 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Eisley, Howard|[[Howard Eisley]]}}
| 82 || 0 || 13.2 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Foster, Greg|[[Greg Foster (basketball)|Greg Foster]]}}
| 79 || 12 || 11.6 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Hornacek, Jeff|[[Jeff Hornacek]]}}
| 82 || 82 || 31.6 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Howard, Stephen|[[Stephen Howard (basketball)|Stephen Howard]]}}
| 42 || 0 || 8.3 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Keefe, Adam|[[Adam Keefe (basketball)|Adam Keefe]]}}
| 62 || 0 || 14.8 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Malone, Karl|[[Karl Malone]]}}
| 82 || 82 || 36.6 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Morris, Chris|[[Chris Morris (basketball)|Chris Morris]]}}
| 73 || 1 || 13.4 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Nembhard, Ruben|[[Ruben Nembhard]]}}
| 8 || 0 || 11.8 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Ostertag, Greg|[[Greg Ostertag]]}}
| 77 || 70 || 23.6 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Russell, Bryon|[[Bryon Russell]]}}
| 81 || 81 || 31.2 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Stockton, John|[[John Stockton]]}}
| 82 || 82 || 35.3 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Thompson, Brooks|[[Brooks Thompson]]}}
| 2 || 0 || 4.0 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Watson, Jamie|[[Jamie Watson (basketball)|Jamie Watson]]}}
| 13 || 0 || 9.9 || || || || || || || ||
|}

===Playoffs===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="10%" | Player
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | GP
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | GS
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | MPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | FG%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | 3FG%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | FT%
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | RPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | APG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | SPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | BPG
! style="background:#4D1A7F; color:#5DADEC" width="6%" | PPG
|-
| {{sort|Anderson, Shandon|[[Shandon Anderson]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Carr, Antoine|[[Antoine Carr]]}}
| || || 14.0 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Eisley, Howard|[[Howard Eisley]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Foster, Greg|[[Greg Foster (basketball)|Greg Foster]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Hornacek, Jeff|[[Jeff Hornacek]]}}
| || || 35.2 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Howard, Stephen|[[Stephen Howard (basketball)|Stephen Howard]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Keefe, Adam|[[Adam Keefe (basketball)|Adam Keefe]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Malone, Karl|[[Karl Malone]]}}
| || || 40.8 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Morris, Chris|[[Chris Morris (basketball)|Chris Morris]]}}
| || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Ostertag, Greg|[[Greg Ostertag]]}}
| || || 20.3 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Russell, Bryon|[[Bryon Russell]]}}
| || || 37.9 || || || || || || || ||
|-
| {{sort|Stockton, John|[[John Stockton]]}}
| || || 37.0 || || || || || || || ||
|}

==Awards and records==

===Awards===
* [[Karl Malone]], [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]]
* [[Karl Malone]], [[All-NBA First Team]]
* [[John Stockton]], [[All-NBA Third Team]]
* [[Karl Malone]], [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]]
* [[John Stockton]], [[NBA All-Defensive Second Team]]

===Records===

==Transactions==

===Trades===

===Free agents===
{{col-begin}}{{col-break|width=52%}}

====Additions====

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"
| style="width:140px"|'''Player''' || style="width:70px"|'''Signed''' || style="width:210px"|'''Former team'''
|- style="height:40px"
| || style="font-size: 80%"| ||
|}
{{col-break}}

====Subtractions====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"
| style="width:140px"|'''Player''' || style="width:70px"|'''Left''' || style="width:210px"|'''New team'''
|- style="height:40px"
| || style="font-size: 80%"| ||
|}
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{1996–97 NBA season by team}}
{{Utah Jazz}}
{{Utah Jazz seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Utah Jazz Season}}
[[Category:Utah Jazz seasons]]
[[Category:Western Conference (NBA) championship seasons]]
[[Category:1996 in sports in Utah|Utah]]
[[Category:1997 in sports in Utah|Utah]]
[[Category:1996–97 NBA season by team|Utah]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]