1997–98 Washington Wizards season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Washington Wizards 1998 42 40 Atlantic 4 9 Bernie Bickerstaff US Airways Arena (5 games) MCI Center (36 games) WBDCHome Team Sports WTEM Did not qualify WAS Washington Bullets The 1997–98 Washington Wizards season was the 37th season for the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association, and their 25th season in Washington, D.C. Washington Wizards Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ August 10, 2026 There was a new beginning for basketball in Washington, D.C. as the team changed its name to the "Wizards", fearing "Bullets" endorsed gun violence. Justice Richard Bullets Seek New Name The Washington Post November 10, 1995 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/11/10/bullets-seek-new-name/b9f53a8a-ed49-4e1d-8672-b1b8e88e405c/ October 7, 2022 Justice Richard For Bullets, "Wizards" Casts Magic Spell The Washington Post February 23, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/bullets/articles/launch/95wiz.htm June 24, 2021 Adande J.A. They're the Wizards of Ahhhhs The Washington Post May 16, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/16/theyre-the-wizards-of-ahhhhs/8ce6043f-a94b-4097-8154-ac9b9630e1a5/ July 10, 2022 Season summary Off-season The Wizards revealed their new primary logo, replacing their traditional red and blue colors with slated blue, bronze and black to their color scheme of white. The team's primary logo featured a bearded wizard in slated blue with a black letter "W" on its chest, and a bronze star on its slated blue hat, spinning a bronze basketball with its left hand, and pointing towards a bronze star with its right hand; the wizard is leaping in front of a bronze crescent moon with black basketball seams, and above the team name "Wizards" in slated blue letters. Washington Wizards Primary Logo Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/852/Washington_Wizards/1998/Primary_Logo July 8, 2021 The team also revealed new white home uniforms with slated blue side panels on the left side of their jerseys and shorts, and new slated blue road uniforms with black side panels; both uniforms featured a slated blue, bronze and black trim, with bronze and black outlines next to the side panels, and also featured the team's primary logo on the right leg of their shorts. Bowles Scott Wizards Take a Fashion Shot in the Dark The Washington Post July 13, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1997/07/13/wizards-take-a-fashion-shot-in-the-dark/4b9a992c-ad48-41d5-b9bf-729aadf0f204/ October 6, 2022 Washington Wizards Home Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/x2nccvm3h66bdpj124dgxkdcf/Washington_Wizards/1998/Home_Uniform July 8, 2021 Washington Wizards Road Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/gbr0isdq52u496ocsaefhwfo5/Washington_Wizards/1998/Road_Uniform July 8, 2021 The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2007, where they switched to a lighter shade of bronze in their logo. During the off-season, the team signed free agent Terry Davis to join their frontcourt, Bucher Ric Davis's Play Gives Wizards a Charge The Washington Post November 6, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/06/daviss-play-gives-wizards-a-charge/ac72d676-bfcf-4f04-a9c4-83e1f7c199ef/ November 7, 2022 Bucher Ric A Lack of Middle Management The Washington Post December 22, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/22/a-lack-of-middle-management/6561b6e7-5b33-4240-b7fe-9f646e0fff0b/ June 29, 2022 as the team's starting center, Gheorghe Mureșan missed the entire regular season due to a stretched right ankle tendon, and a right foot injury; Bucher Ric Wizards' Muresan Has Injured Ankle The Washington Post October 2, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-26-sp-47050-story.html December 12, 2022 Friend Tom N.B.A. Preview '97-'98: For Crystal, a Giant of a Man The New York Times October 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/sports/nba-preview-97-98-for-crystal-a-giant-of-a-man.html May 24, 2022 Asher Mark Muresan Is a Foot Short The Washington Post February 26, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/26/muresan-is-a-foot-short/3c51d324-f810-4366-a0ff-f4041f640399/ October 12, 2021 the team also re-signed former Bullets guard Ledell Eackles for the third time after a one-year absence from the NBA. Bucher Ric Wizards' Farewell Is Not Fond The Washington Post November 30, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/30/wizards-farewell-is-not-fond/a445b306-afba-44a5-aa35-0181be5df945/ October 22, 2022 Regular season In their NBA regular season debut as the "Wizards", the team lost to the Detroit Pistons on the road, 92–79 at The Palace of Auburn Hills on October 31, 1997. Bucher Ric In 1st Test, Wizards Flunk the Boards, 92-79 The Washington Post November 1, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/01/in-1st-test-wizards-flunk-the-boards-92-79/400a2d48-87b2-4331-a018-7406ea771ff7/ April 2, 2023 Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons Box Score, October 31, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199710310DET.html April 2, 2023 The Wizards got off to a slow 5–11 start to the season, which included a six-game losing streak in November. The team lost their first five home games at US Airways Arena, only winning games on the road such as defeating the Utah Jazz, 90–86 at the Delta Center on November 3, Jorgensen Loren Jazz Rookie Learns Lesson Deseret News November 4, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/11/4/19343656/jazz-rookie-learns-lesson July 11, 2022 Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz Box Score, November 3, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199711030UTA.html January 4, 2023 and the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, 90–83 at the United Center on November 12. Associated Press N.B.A.: Last Night: Chicago Continues to Struggle The New York Times November 13, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/13/sports/nba-last-night-chicago-continues-to-struggle.html April 2, 2023 Bucher Ric Wizards Topple the Beat-a-Bulls, 90-83 The Washington Post November 13, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/11/13/wizards-topple-the-beat-a-bulls-90-83/9e9c16b9-eae6-4981-82e7-2b476ed5c1fc/ July 11, 2022 Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls Box Score, November 12, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199711120CHI.html January 4, 2023 The Wizards played their final home game at US Airways Arena on November 29, losing to the Bulls by a score of 88–83; Associated Press N.B.A.: Last Night: Wizards' Farewell Party Is Ruined by the Bulls The New York Times November 30, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/30/sports/nba-last-night-wizards-farewell-party-is-ruined-by-the-bulls.html December 15, 2022 Bembry Jerry Wizards Leave Landover on Downer, Fall to Bulls; Jordan, Chicago Close Arena with 88-83 Win The Baltimore Sun November 30, 1997 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/11/30/wizards-leave-landover-on-downer-fall-to-bulls-jordan-chicago-close-arena-with-88-83-win/ April 2, 2023 Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards Box Score, November 29, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199711290WAS.html June 8, 2026 the team then moved from their old arena that was known as the "Capital Centre", into their new arena known as the MCI Center in December. Castaneda Ruben Wizards Play Final Game on Old Court The Washington Post November 30, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/mciarticles/launch/finale.htm June 24, 2021 In their first game at the MCI Center, the Wizards won their first home game of the season, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics by a score of 95–78 on December 2. Bucher Ric For Wizards, a Grand Opening, Indeed The Washington Post December 3, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/03/for-wizards-a-grand-opening-indeed/251dfc9e-2e6a-466c-89a9-44fa70c760b7/ January 2, 2023 Bembry Jerry Opening Brings Out Best in Wizards; 95-78 Victory Over Sonics Christens MCI Center The Baltimore Sun December 3, 1997 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/12/03/opening-brings-out-best-in-wizards-95-78-victory-over-sonics-christens-mci-center-2/ April 2, 2023 Seattle SuperSonics at Washington Wizards Box Score, December 2, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199712020WAS.html June 8, 2026 The team posted a six-game winning streak in December, and later on held a 25–24 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 July 19, 2022 The Wizards won their final four games of the season, and finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, but failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs, finishing just one game behind the 8th–seeded New Jersey Nets. 1997–98 Washington Wizards Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/1998_games.html June 22, 2021 Chris Webber averaged 21.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, while Juwan Howard averaged 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, and Rod Strickland provided the team with 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. In addition, sixth man Tracy Murray provided scoring off the bench, averaging 15.1 points per game and leading the Wizards with 158 three-point field goals, while Calbert Cheaney provided with 12.8 points per game, and Eackles contributed 5.2 points per game, but only played just 42 games. Meanwhile, Chris Whitney contributed 5.1 points and 2.4 assists per game, but only shot .355 in field-goal percentage, Davis averaged 4.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Ben Wallace provided with 3.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. 1997–98 Washington Wizards Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/1998.html June 22, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Murray participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout. NBA Long-Distance Shootout Roster Record-Journal January 21, 1998 20 https://books.google.com/books?id=julIAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1998+NBA+Long+Distance+Shootout+rosters&article_id=3470,3450627&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXpf_28eWPAxV8vokEHdaoNdU4ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=1998%20NBA%20Long%20Distance%20Shootout%20rosters&f=false September 19, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 19, 2025 Despite stellar seasons, neither Webber or Strickland were selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. Popularity, Not Merit, Again Wins More Votes  The Baltimore Sun  February 1, 1998 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/02/01/popularity-not-merit-again-wins-more-votes/ April 29, 2026 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html February 25, 2026 Strickland finished tied in 18th place in Most Valuable Player voting, and also finished tied in 13th place in Most Improved Player voting, while Murray finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html December 30, 2024 The Wizards finished sixth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 801,240 at the MCI Center during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Webber was traded to the Sacramento Kings after four seasons in Washington, Associated Press N.B.A.: Webber Traded to Sacramento The New York Times May 15, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/15/sports/nba-webber-traded-to-sacramento.html July 28, 2017 Associated Press Webber Dealt to Kings for Richmond, Thorpe Los Angeles Times May 15, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-15-sp-50112-story.html June 30, 2022 Bucher Ric Webber Traded to Sacramento The Washington Post May 15, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/05/15/webber-traded-to-sacramento/55b294a5-ed9a-41db-8dc0-0623453790ed/ July 10, 2022 while Harvey Grant signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers, Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 Heisler Mark Eastern Conference Los Angeles Times February 4, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-04-sp-4945-story.html December 12, 2022 and Mureșan and Eackles were both released to free agency. Wyche Steve For Muresan, Hornets No, Wizards Maybe The Washington Post January 28, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/28/for-muresan-hornets-no-wizards-maybe/b0c38cc3-321d-4ffb-830d-0b678742669f/ October 22, 2022 Offseason Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 2 45 God Shammgod PG United States Providence College 2 48 Predrag Drobnjak C The Wizards entered the draft with two second-round selections, including the 48th pick acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in 1994. The team forfeited their first-round draft pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard in 1996; Washington would have had the 17th overall pick. Brown Clifton Howard: 2 Deals, 2 Teams, $200 Million The New York Times August 6, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/06/sports/howard-2-deals-2-teams-200-million.html May 12, 2022 Roster Washington Wizards 1997–98 #004874 white #BA8545 #000000 40 Calbert Cheaney G 6 7 209 1971–07–17 Indiana 52 Terry Davis basketball F 6 9 225 1967–06–17 Virginia Union 21 Ledell Eackles G 6 5 220 1966–11–24 New Orleans 44 Harvey Grant F 6 8 195 1965–07–04 Oklahoma 31 Darvin Ham F 6 7 220 1973–07–23 Texas Tech 5 Juwan Howard F 6 9 240 1973–02–07 Michigan 23 Tim Legler G 6 4 200 1966–12–26 La Salle yes 77 Gheorghe Mureșan C 7 7 303 1971–02–14 Romania yes IN 35 Tracy Murray F 6 7 225 1971–07–25 UCLA 2 God Shammgod G 6 0 169 1976–04–29 Providence 1 Rod Strickland G 6 3 175 1966–07–11 DePaul yes 30 Ben Wallace basketball F/C 6 9 240 1974–09–10 Virginia Union 4 Chris Webber C 6 9 245 1973–03–01 Michigan 12 Chris Whitney G 6 0 168 1971–10–05 Clemson 43 Lorenzo Williams basketball, born 1969 F 6 9 200 1969–07–15 Stetson yes Bernie Bickerstaff Jim Brovelli Mike Brown (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/1998.html Roster Notes Center Gheorghe Mureșan was on the injured reserve list due to a stretched right ankle tendon and foot injury, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings WAS WAS z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Player statistics Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGCalbert Cheaney 82 82 34.6 .457 .283 .647 4.0 2.1 1.2 .4 12.8Terry Davis basketball 74 66 23.0 .496 .000 .580 6.5 .4 .6 .3 4.4Ledell Eackles 42 0 13.0 .429 .348 .881 1.8 .4 .4 .0 5.2Harvey Grant 65 8 13.8 .383 .167 .633 2.6 .6 .4 .2 2.6Darvin Ham 71 3 8.9 .529 .473 1.8 .2 .3 .4 2.0Juwan Howard 64 64 40.0 .467 .000 .721 7.0 3.3 1.3 .4 18.5Tim Legler 8 0 9.5 .158 .000 .750 .5 .4 .1 .0 1.1Lawrence Moten 8 0 3.4 .231 .000 .750 .1 .4 .0 .0 1.1Tracy Murray 82 12 27.2 .446 .392 .871 3.4 1.0 .8 .3 15.1Jimmy Oliver basketball 1 0 10.0 .500 .500 2.0 1.0 .0 .0 5.0God Shammgod 20 0 7.3 .328 .000 .767 .4 1.8 .4 .1 3.1Rod Strickland 76 76 39.7 .434 .250 .726 5.3 10.5 1.7 .3 17.8Ben Wallace basketball 67 16 16.8 .518 .357 4.8 .3 .9 1.1 3.1Chris Webber 71 71 39.6 .482 .317 .589 9.5 3.8 1.6 1.7 21.9Chris Whitney 82 6 13.1 .355 .308 .915 1.4 2.4 .4 .1 5.1Lorenzo Williams basketball, born 1969 14 6 7.9 .765 .000 1.9 .2 .1 .2 1.9 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Rod Strickland, All-NBA Second Team References See also 1997–98 NBA season Category:Washington Wizards seasons Wash Wiz Wiz