1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 October 2020 Portland Trail Blazers 1998 46 36 Pacific 4 6 Mike Dunleavy Rose Garden Arena KGWFox Sports Northwest KEX First round(lost to Lakers 1–3) POR The 1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 28th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. Portland Trail Blazers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Trail Blazers had the 18th overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected Australian center Chris Anstey, but soon traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for rookie center, and first-round draft pick Kelvin Cato out of Iowa State University; the team also selected shooting guard Alvin Williams out of Villanova University with the 48th overall pick. Wise Mike After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show The New York Times June 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/26/sports/after-duncan-utah-forward-steals-show.html May 7, 2026 Heisler Mark Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7002-story.html May 7, 2026 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html May 7, 2026 During the off-season, the Trail Blazers signed free agents Brian Grant, Staff and Wire Reports Trail Blazers Sign Grant to 7-Year, $63-Million Deal Los Angeles Times August 24, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-24-sp-25641-story.html July 28, 2021 Associated Press NBA: Blazers Sign Brian Grant; Clifford Robinson Is Out The Seattle Times August 24, 1997 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19970824&slug=2556462 June 21, 2023 Wire Services Blazers Sign Brian Grant The Spokesman-Review August 24, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/aug/24/blazers-sign-brian-grant/ July 17, 2022 and Vincent Askew, Furthermore The Washington Post September 27, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/27/furthermore/8f49b039-0d1e-496d-a02c-08f3c941b3a1/ February 2, 2023 Basketball Briefs Deseret News September 27, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/9/27/19336394/basketball-briefs June 28, 2022 and hired former Milwaukee Bucks General Manager, and head coach Mike Dunleavy as their new coach. Associated Press Dunleavy Named Blazers' Coach The New York Times May 14, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/14/sports/dunleavy-named-blazers-coach.html December 30, 2021 Associated Press Trail Blazers Hire Dunleavy Los Angeles Times May 14, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-14-sp-58743-story.html October 18, 2022 Wire Services Dunleavy Agrees to Take Reins of Temperamental Trail Blazers The Spokesman-Review May 14, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/may/14/dunleavy-agrees-to-take-reins-of-temperamental/ December 15, 2022 Regular season Under Dunleavy and with the addition of Brian Grant, the Trail Blazers got off to a 13–6 start to the regular season, which included a five-game winning streak in early November. The team continued to play above .500 in winning percentage as the season progressed, later on holding a 26–20 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 20, 2022 At mid-season, the Trail Blazers traded Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent and Alvin Williams to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers; Popper Steve Pro Basketball: The Trade Comes, to Stoudamire's Relief The New York Times February 14, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/14/sports/pro-basketball-the-trade-comes-to-stoudamire-s-relief.html July 1, 2022 Associated Press Stoudamire Finally Traded to Portland Los Angeles Times February 14, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-14-sp-19093-story.html June 19, 2021 Raptors Deal Stoudamire for Blazers' Anderson The Washington Post February 14, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/14/raptors-deal-stoudamire-for-blazers-anderson/b84915b0-2f46-4245-8d81-8f96ca8a6395/ December 5, 2022 however, Anderson refused to play for the Raptors, who soon traded him to the Boston Celtics. Wise Mike Basketball: Kenny Anderson Is Traded to Celtics in 7-Player Deal The New York Times February 19, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/19/sports/basketball-kenny-anderson-is-traded-to-celtics-in-7-player-deal.html July 21, 2017 Associated Press Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors Los Angeles Times February 19, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-19-sp-20865-story.html October 6, 2022 In Seven-Player Swap, Raptors Trade Anderson to the Celtics The Washington Post February 19, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/19/in-seven-player-swap-raptors-trade-anderson-to-the-celtics/ff143642-f1f6-4362-823e-6f7f4853e2a4/ December 5, 2022 Before the trade, Anderson averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 45 games; in 41 games, Trent provided with 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and Alvin Williams contributed 6.9 points per game. The Trail Blazers later on signed free agent Gary Grant in March, Blazers Sign Grant, Waive Wingfield Associated Press March 5, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/f912b5d7fffa706e62cc0ea9b5b31e56 January 18, 2022 Sports Briefs Deseret News March 26, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/3/26/19370887/sports-briefs February 2, 2023 while Askew was released to free agency after 30 games. The Trail Blazers finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a 46–36 record, and earned the sixth seed in the Western Conference; 1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1998_games.html June 21, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 16th consecutive year, and also for the 21st time in 22 years. Isaiah Rider averaged 19.7 points per game and led the Trail Blazers with 135 three-point field goals, while Arvydas Sabonis averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, and Rasheed Wallace provided the team with 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Stoudamire contributed 12.4 points, 8.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 22 games after the trade, while Brian Grant provided with 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, but only played 61 games due to a leg injury. Associated Press N.B.A.: Last Night: Chicago Is No Match for the Balanced Heat The New York Times January 8, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/08/sports/nba-last-night-chicago-is-no-match-for-the-balanced-heat.html January 15, 2022 Associated Press One Half Enough for Bulls' Jackson Los Angeles Times January 8, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-08-sp-6125-story.html October 3, 2022 Baum Bob As They Lose Games, Blazers Lose Spirit South Coast Today January 14, 1998 https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1998/01/15/as-they-lose-games-blazers/50583770007/ January 8, 2023 Off the bench, Walt Williams contributed 8.4 points per game in 31 games, while Stacey Augmon contributed 5.7 points per game, Gary Grant averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 assists per game in 22 games, second-year forward Jermaine O'Neal averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and Cato provided with 3.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. 1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, and before the mid-season trade, Cato and Alvin Williams were both selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as members of the Western Conference Rookie team. Associated Press 1998 NBA Rookie Game Roster Times-Union February 6, 1998 4B https://books.google.com/books?id=2aQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=NBA+rookie+game+roster+1998&article_id=5656,907211&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi85_eY9eCPAxVT1fACHWPLIaEQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=NBA%20rookie%20game%20roster%201998&f=false September 19, 2025 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998_rookie.html September 19, 2025 Despite a stellar season, Rider was not selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html February 25, 2026 The Trail Blazers finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 846,559 at the Rose Garden Arena during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html October 10, 2025 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Trail Blazers faced off against the 3rd–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by the All-Star quartet of Shaquille O'Neal, Eddie Jones, second-year star Kobe Bryant, and Nick Van Exel. The result was identical to that of the previous year's playoffs; the Trail Blazers lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, before winning Game 3 at home, 99–94 at the Rose Garden Arena, 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, April 28, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804280POR.html June 6, 2026 and then losing Game 4 to the Lakers at home, 110–99, thus losing the series in four games. It was also the sixth consecutive year that the Trail Blazers lost in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Howard-Cooper Scott On in a Blaze of Glory Los Angeles Times May 1, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-01-sp-45216-story.html July 4, 2021 Lakers 110, Trail Blazers 99 United Press International May 1, 1998 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1998/05/01/Lakers-110-Trail-Blazers-99/3806893995200/ May 30, 2022 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-western-conference-first-round-trail-blazers-vs-lakers.html February 4, 2023 Notable highlights One notable game of the regular season occurred on November 14, 1997, in which the Trail Blazers lost to the Phoenix Suns at home in quadruple-overtime, 140–139 at the Rose Garden Arena. Three players posted double-doubles; Rider finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds, while Grant contributed 34 points and 17 rebounds, and Sabonis added 31 points and 10 rebounds. Associated Press Portland Falls in Fourth O.T. Los Angeles Times November 15, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-15-sp-53986-story.html January 4, 2023 Associated Press Hawks Remain Unbeaten The Spokesman-Review November 15, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/nov/15/hawks-remain-unbeaten/ January 29, 2023 Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, November 14, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199711140POR.html October 22, 2022 The Trail Blazers also set an ignominious record during a road game against the Indiana Pacers at the Market Square Arena on February 27, 1998, which ended with an embarrassing loss by a score of 124–59; it was the first and only time in NBA history in which a team has had their score doubled. Associated Press N.B.A.: Last Night: Pacers Make History in Doubling Portland The New York Times February 28, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/28/sports/nba-last-night-pacers-make-history-in-doubling-portland.html July 26, 2017 Associated Press Indiana Doubles Its Pleasure in Victory Los Angeles Times February 28, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-28-sp-24035-story.html May 25, 2022 Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers Box Score, February 27, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199802270IND.html November 18, 2022 NBA draft 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 18 Chris Anstey C 2 48 Alvin Williams SG Villanova Roster Portland Trail Blazers 1997–98 #000000 #FFFFFF #d1210a #FFFFFF 2 Stacey Augmon G/F 6 8 205 1968–08–01 UNLV 9 Rick Brunson G 6 4 190 1972–06–14 Temple 31 Kelvin Cato C 6 11 255 1974–08–26 Iowa State 12 John Crotty G 6 1 185 1969–07–15 Virginia yes 44 Brian Grant F 6 9 254 1972–03–05 Xavier 23 Gary Grant G 6 3 185 1965–04–21 Michigan basketball 53 Alton Lister C 7 0 240 1958–10–01 Arizona State 5 Jermaine O'Neal F/C 6 11 226 1978–10–13 Eau Claire HS (SC) 34 Isaiah Rider G 6 5 215 1971–03–12 UNLV 4 Carlos Rogers basketball C 6 11 220 1971–02–06 Tennessee State yes 11 Arvydas Sabonis C 7 3 279 1964–12–19 Lithuania 3 Damon Stoudamire G 5 10 171 1973–09–03 Arizona 30 Rasheed Wallace F 6 10 225 1974–09–17 North Carolina 42 Walt Williams basketball F 6 8 219 1970–04–16 Maryland Mike Dunleavy Tony Brown Jim Eyen Elston Turner https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1998.html Roster notes Small forward Vincent Askew was waived on March 24, 1998. Small forward Dontonio Wingfield was waived on March 5, 1998. Regular season Season standings POR POR z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Playoffs Portland Trail Blazers 1998 yes #000000 #BE0032 Portland Trail Blazers First round yes no yes #BE0032 #FFFFFF 1 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 24 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 102–104 | Isaiah Rider (25) | Brian Grant (12) | Damon Stoudamire (10) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 26 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 99–108 | Isaiah Rider (24) | three players tied (7) | Damon Stoudamire (14) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 28 | L.A. Lakers | W 99–94 | Rider, Stoudamire (18) | Brian Grant (12) | Damon Stoudamire (6) | Rose Garden21,558 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 30 | L.A. Lakers | L 99–110 | Damon Stoudamire (24) | Brian Grant (12) | Damon Stoudamire (8) | Rose Garden21,558 | 1–3 |- POR 1998 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRasheed Wallace 77 77 37.6 .533 .205 .662 6.2 2.5 1.0 1.1 14.6Isaiah Rider 74 66 37.6 .423 .321 .828 4.7 3.1 .7 .3 19.7Kelvin Cato 74 8 13.6 .428 .000 .688 3.4 .3 .4 1.3 3.8Arvydas Sabonis 73 73 32.0 .493 .261 .798 10.0 3.0 .9 1.1 16.0Stacey Augmon 71 23 20.4 .414 .143 .603 3.3 1.2 .8 .5 5.7Brian Grant 61 49 31.5 .508 .000 .750 9.1 1.4 .7 .7 12.1Jermaine O'Neal 60 9 13.5 .485 .000 .506 3.4 .3 .3 1.0 4.5Kenny Anderson basketball† 45 40 32.7 .387 .353 .772 3.0 5.4 1.4 .0 12.6Gary Trent† 41 13 24.5 .493 .444 .693 5.7 1.4 .7 .5 11.5Alvin Williams† 41 10 21.1 .458 .292 .734 1.5 2.0 .7 .0 6.9Rick Brunson 38 10 16.4 .348 .361 .677 1.5 2.6 .7 .1 4.3Walt Williams basketball† 31 1 19.2 .378 .344 .908 2.6 1.7 .6 .4 8.4Vincent Askew 30 5 14.8 .352 .000 .718 2.3 1.3 .6 .2 2.2John Crotty 26 2 14.6 .322 .300 .941 1.2 2.4 .4 .0 3.7Damon Stoudamire† 22 22 36.6 .364 .263 .787 3.7 8.2 1.5 .1 12.4Gary Grant basketball 22 2 16.3 .462 .368 .857 2.2 3.8 .8 .1 4.8Alton Lister 7 0 6.3 .375 1.6 .1 .1 .1 .9Carlos Rogers basketball† 3 0 8.3 .500 .000 .7 .7 .3 .0 1.3Dontonio Wingfield 3 0 3.0 .000 .500 1.3 .0 .0 .0 .3Sean Higgins basketball 2 0 6.0 .000 .000 .0 .0 1.0 .0 .0 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGIsaiah Rider 4 4 41.5 .418 .091 .769 5.0 4.3 1.3 .0 19.3Damon Stoudamire 4 4 41.5 .397 .364 1.000 4.3 9.5 1.3 .3 17.8Rasheed Wallace 4 4 39.3 .489 .800 .500 4.8 2.8 .5 .5 14.5Brian Grant 4 4 33.8 .528 .833 10.8 1.5 1.0 .8 13.3Arvydas Sabonis 4 4 26.8 .450 .500 .857 7.8 1.5 1.8 .8 12.3Walt Williams basketball 4 0 25.5 .548 .533 .786 3.5 2.3 .3 .0 13.3Kelvin Cato 4 0 14.5 .529 .000 .727 3.0 .3 .3 1.8 6.5Stacey Augmon 4 0 7.0 .500 .500 .8 .3 .5 .3 1.3Gary Grant basketball 4 0 6.8 .286 .250 1.3 1.8 .3 .3 1.3Alton Lister 2 0 5.5 .333 1.0 .0 .0 .5 1.0Jermaine O'Neal 1 0 3.0 .000 .000 1.0 .0 .0 2.0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Trail Blazers only. Player statistics citation: References Category:Portland Trail Blazers seasons Portland Trail Blazers 1997 Portland Trail Blazers 1997 Port Port Port