1997–98 Atlanta Hawks season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Atlanta Hawks 1998 50 32 Central 4 5 Lenny Wilkens Georgia Dome, Alexander Memorial Coliseum WATLFox Sports South WCNN East First Round(lost to Hornets 1–3) ATL The 1997–98 Atlanta Hawks season was the 49th season for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association, and their 30th season in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta Hawks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Hawks had the 22nd overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Ed Gray from the University of California. 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 team signed free agent Chucky Brown, Associated Press Hawks Poised for Championship Run The Albany Herald October 28, 1997 5D https://books.google.com/books?id=jOhEAAAAIBAJ&dq=1997+atlanta+hawks+signed+forward+chucky+brown&pg=PA14&article_id=1146,5667700 November 2, 2024 Carree Chuck Brown Not Your Typical Success Story in NBA Star-News October 31, 1997 6C https://books.google.com/books?id=jOhEAAAAIBAJ&dq=1997+atlanta+hawks+signed+forward+chucky+brown&pg=PA14&article_id=1146,5667700 November 2, 2024 and re-signed Greg Anderson, who previously played for the Hawks during the 1994–95 season. Ex NBA-er Greg Anderson Sentenced Associated Press June 15, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/a73224999349f71908a46aea7f6cfd74 July 16, 2022 Due to the demolition of the Omni Coliseum during the off-season, the Hawks played their home games between the Georgia Dome, home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, and the Alexander Memorial Coliseum, home of the NCAA's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball team. Associated Press Atlanta Barely Notes the Passing of the Omni Arena; Enters Its Final Days During NBA Playoffs The Spokesman-Review April 27, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/27/atlanta-barely-notes-the-passing-of-the-omni/ January 28, 2023 Hill Karen Demolition Experts Place Explosives Around Omni Associated Press July 22, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/db6109eaf311e503e4eef024ac043221 October 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220514003939/https://apnews.com/article/db6109eaf311e503e4eef024ac043221 May 14, 2022 dead News Services Crowd Has a Blast at Omni The Washington Post July 26, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/07/27/crowd-has-a-blast-at-omni/06d2e433-3f46-4c1c-952a-3ec86075e229/ April 8, 2024 The Alexander Memorial Coliseum, which was known as the Alexander Memorial Coliseum at McDonald's Center at the time, was also the Hawks' original home from 1968 to 1972, after the team relocated to Atlanta from St. Louis, Missouri. The Omni Basketball Ballparks http://basketball.ballparks.com/NBA/AtlantaHawks/oldindex.htm May 13, 2022 Regular season The Hawks got off to a fast start by winning their first eleven games of the regular season. Wise Mike N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Hawks Improve to 11-0 The New York Times November 19, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/19/sports/nba-last-night-hawks-improve-to-11-0.html February 18, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: At 11-0, No Vacancy; The Hawks Surge, Despite Few Advantages of Home The New York Times November 20, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/20/sports/pro-basketball-at-11-0-no-vacancy-the-hawks-surge-despite-few-advantages-of-home.html October 12, 2023 However, after a 19–5 start to the season, the team struggled posting a seven-game losing streak between December and January, but then posted a six-game winning streak afterwards, and later on held a 29–20 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 19, 2022 In February, head coach Lenny Wilkens changed the team's starting lineup, replacing Christian Laettner at power forward with sixth man Alan Henderson for the remainder of the season. NBA Roundup  Altus Times  February 26, 1998  4  https://books.google.com/books?id=BnRDAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=1998+Atlanta+Hawks+alan+henderson+christian+laettner&article_id=1490,5066106&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiC1Kn2i6iUAxXO4MkDHa-lGtoQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=1998%20Atlanta%20Hawks%20alan%20henderson%20christian%20laettner&f=false May 7, 2026 Associated Press  New Role as Reserve Suits Laettner Fine  Waycross Journal-Herald  April 23, 1998  P8  https://books.google.com/books?id=0ldaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1997+nba+playoffs+Atlanta+Hawks+a+lot+of+minutes+for+the+starters+not+much+for+the+bench+players&article_id=6955,792011&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvxs6KjbyUAxWf_8kDHV7TEscQ6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false May 15, 2026 The Hawks won eight of their final eleven games of the season, and finished in fourth place in the Central Division with a solid 50–32 record, earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference; 1997–98 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1998_games.html June 21, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Steve Smith averaged 20.1 points and 4.0 assists per game, while Henderson averaged 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year, Glier Ray Hawks' Henderson Is a Bird in Hand The Washington Post April 22, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/04/22/hawks-henderson-is-a-bird-in-hand/d1cda4fa-45a9-40b6-abdf-251dee3b457a/ January 28, 2023 CBS News.com Staff Henderson Voted Most Improved CBS News May 1, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/henderson-voted-most-improved/#app June 19, 2021 NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mip.html November 29, 2022 and Laettner provided the team with 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. In addition, Dikembe Mutombo provided with 13.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year; he was also named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Associated Press Mutombo NBA's Top Defensive Player The Washington Post May 5, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1998/finals/articles/atlanta6.htm July 18, 2021 Associated Press Mutombo Earns Defensive Honor Los Angeles Times May 6, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-06-sp-46971-story.html December 15, 2022 NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/dpoy.html November 29, 2022 Meanwhile, Mookie Blaylock contributed 13.2 points, 6.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game, but struggled shooting .269 in three-point field-goal percentage, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Tyrone Corbin averaged 10.2 points and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, Eldridge Recasner contributed 9.3 points per game, while Gray contributed 7.6 points per game, but only played just 30 games due to a sprained right foot injury, and was suspended indefinitely for missing medical appointments, Hawks' Mookie Blaylock Injured Associated Press January 9, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/e7d8fbdc6c75a8d2313d5f915f5d4972 July 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184638/https://apnews.com/article/e7d8fbdc6c75a8d2313d5f915f5d4972 July 9, 2021 dead Associated Press Blaylock Returns, Leads Hawks Past Bucks CBS News January 21, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blaylock-returns-leads-hawks-past-bucks/ October 13, 2021 and Brown averaged 5.0 points per game. 1997–98 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Mutombo and Smith were both selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was Smith's first and only All-Star appearance. Howard-Cooper Scott Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored Los Angeles Times January 28, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-28-sp-13049-story.html April 20, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1998 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1998 May 16, 2023 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html October 23, 2021 Blaylock finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html January 1, 2022 The Hawks finished 24th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 610,615 at the Georgia Dome, and the Alexander Memorial Coliseum during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html December 12, 2024 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Hawks faced off against the 4th–seeded Charlotte Hornets, who were led by All-Star forward Glen Rice, Anthony Mason and Vlade Divac; Rice was Smith's former teammate on the Miami Heat. The Hawks lost the first two games to the Hornets on the road at the Charlotte Coliseum, but managed to win Game 3 at home by a 32-point margin, 96–64 at the Georgia Dome. Associated Press Hot Hawks Handle Hapless Hornets Deseret News April 29, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/1998/4/29/19377125/hot-hawks-handle-hapless-hornets October 13, 2021 Associated Press SuperSonics Facing Elimination Again Los Angeles Times April 29, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-29-sp-44230-story.html October 5, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, April 28, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804280ATL.html June 4, 2026 However, the Hawks lost Game 4 to the Hornets at home, 91–82, thus losing the series in four games. Associated Press NBA Playoffs: Mason Leads Charge as Hornets Top Hawks The New York Times May 2, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/sports/nba-playoffs-mason-leads-charge-as-hornets-top-hawks.html February 18, 2022 Mason Has 29 Points as Hornets Advance The Washington Post May 2, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/05/02/mason-has-29-points-as-hornets-advance/dadc73f5-7898-4f7d-929e-44462786d368/ May 30, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs-hornets.html February 3, 2023 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on March 27, 1998, in which the Hawks set a then single-game regular season attendance record of 62,046 at the Georgia Dome in a game against All-Star guard Michael Jordan, and the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls. However, the Hawks lost to the Bulls by a score of 89–74. Associated Press At Least Most of Them Got to See Jordan Play Los Angeles Times March 28, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-28-sp-33650-story.html June 29, 2022 Associated Press Jordan Shows Atlanta How It's Done CBS News March 28, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jordan-shows-atlanta-how-its-done/#app December 12, 2022 Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, March 27, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199803270ATL.html June 4, 2026 The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the 1998 NBA Finals for their third consecutive NBA championship, and sixth overall in eight years. Araton Harvey Sports of the Times: At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title The New York Times June 15, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/sports-of-the-times-at-the-end-jordan-lifts-bulls-to-their-sixth-nba-title.html July 18, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott A Rousing Six-cess Los Angeles Times June 15, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-15-sp-60167-story.html July 25, 2022 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-finals-bulls-vs-jazz.html February 3, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Laettner was traded to the Detroit Pistons, Associated Press Injured Laettner Goes to Detroit CBS News January 22, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/injured-laettner-goes-to-detroit/#app December 4, 2022 Associated Press N.B.A. Roundup -- Atlanta: Laettner Is Signed, Then Sent to Detroit The New York Times January 23, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/23/sports/nba-roundup-atlanta-laettner-is-signed-then-sent-to-detroit.html July 17, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Around the NBA Los Angeles Times January 23, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-23-sp-926-story.html June 25, 2023 while Recasner and Brown both signed as free agents with the Charlotte Hornets, Transactions Reading Eagle January 20, 1999 C6 https://books.google.com/books?id=oCIyAAAAIBAJ&dq=1999+charlotte+hornets+eldridge+recasner+chucky+brown&pg=PA82&article_id=3453,3299114 November 2, 2024 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 and Anderson was released to free agency. Offseason Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 22 Ed Gray SG United States California 2 49 Alain Digbeu SG/SF France 2 50 Chris Crawford PF/SF United States Marquette Roster Atlanta Hawks 1997–98 #B50000 #FFFFFF #000000 #FFFFFF 0 Greg Anderson basketball C 6 10 230 1964–06–22 Houston 11 Drew Barry G 6 5 191 1973–02–17 Georgia Institute of Technology 10 Mookie Blaylock G 6 0 180 1967–03–20 Oklahoma 52 Chucky Brown F 6 7 214 1968–02–29 North Carolina State 33 Tyrone Corbin F 6 6 210 1962–12–31 DePaul 4 Chris Crawford basketball, born 1975 F 6 9 235 1975–05–13 Marquette 22 Ed Gray G 6 3 210 1975–09–27 California S yes 44 Alan Henderson F 6 9 235 1972–12–02 Indiana 32 Christian Laettner F/C 6 11 235 1969–08–17 Duke 2 Anthony Miller basketball F 6 9 235 1971–10–22 Michigan State 55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7 2 260 1966–06–25 Georgetown 3 Eldridge Recasner G 6 3 190 1967–12–14 Washington 8 Steve Smith basketball G 6 7 200 1969–03–31 Michigan State Lenny Wilkens Stan Albeck Dick Helm Phil Hubbard Gary Wortman https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1998.html Roster Notes Rookie shooting guard Ed Gray was suspended indefinitely after playing 30 games for missing medical appointments; Gray was on the injured reserve list due to a sprained right foot. Regular season Season standings ATL ATL z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Atlanta Hawks 1998 #C03 #FFFFFF 29 12 21 20 Atlanta Hawks October no yes yes #000000 #B86D29 0 0 1 0 |- || 1 || October 31 || @ Orlando Magic || W 105–99 || Orlando Arena || 1–0 |- Atlanta Hawks November no yes #000000 #B86D29 9 1 4 1 |- || 2 || November 1 || Toronto Raptors || W 90–85 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 2–0 |- || 3 || November 4 || Detroit Pistons || W 82–71 || Georgia Dome || 3–0 |- || 4 || November 5 || @ Philadelphia 76ers || W 93–88|| CoreStates Center || 4–0 |- || 5 || November 7 || Chicago Bulls || W 80–78 || Georgia Dome || 5–0 |- || 6 || November 8 || @ Cleveland Cavaliers || W 99–97 (OT) || Gund Arena || 6–0 |- || 7 || November 11 || Seattle SuperSonics || W 89–87 || Georgia Dome || 7–0 |- || 8 || November 12 || @ Indiana Pacers || W 89–86 || Market Square Arena || 8–0 |- || 9 || November 14 || Sacramento Kings || W 104–103 || Georgia Dome || 9–0 |- || 10 || November 16 || Los Angeles Clippers || W 89–83 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 10–0 |- || 11 || November 18 || Washington Wizards || W 98–89 (OT) || Georgia Dome || 11–0 |- || 12 || November 20 || New York Knicks || L 79–100 || Georgia Dome || 11–1 |- || 13 || November 22 || @ Detroit Pistons || L 85–87 || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 11–2 |- || 14 || November 26 || @ Toronto Raptors || W 109–104 (2OT) || SkyDome || 12–2 |- || 15 || November 29 || Charlotte Hornets || W 98–80 || Georgia Dome || 13–2 |- || 16 || November 30 || San Antonio Spurs || W 108–96 || Georgia Dome || 14–2 |- Atlanta Hawks December no yes #000000 #B86D29 1 3 4 5 |- || 17 || December 2 || @ Dallas Mavericks || W 112–79 || Reunion Arena || 15–2 |- || 18 || December 4 || @ Houston Rockets || L 87–94 || The Summit || 15–3 |- || 19 || December 9 || Miami Heat || L 81–97 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 15–4 |- || 20 || December 11 || @ Phoenix Suns || L 78–94 || America West Arena || 15–5 |- || 21 || December 12 || @ Los Angeles Clippers || W 83–74 || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena || 16–5 |- || 22 || December 14 || @ Sacramento Kings || W 93–89 || ARCO Arena || 17–5 |- || 23 || December 15 || @ Portland Trail Blazers || W 99–90 || Rose Garden || 18–5 |- || 24 || December 17 || Cleveland Cavaliers || W 94–83 || Georgia Dome || 19–5 |- || 25 || December 19 || Los Angeles Lakers || L 96–98 || Georgia Dome || 19–6 |- || 26 || December 20 || @ Miami Heat || L 92–99 || Miami Arena || 19–7 |- || 27 || December 22 || Utah Jazz || L 99–101 || Georgia Dome || 19–8 |- || 28 || December 26 || @ Milwaukee Bucks || L 94–99 (OT) || Bradley Center || 19–9 |- || 29 || December 27 || @ Chicago Bulls || L 90–97 || United Center || 19–10 |- Atlanta Hawks January no yes #000000 #B86D29 5 3 4 5 |- || 30 || January 2 || @ Los Angeles Lakers || L 106–116 || Great Western Forum || 19–11 |- || 31 || January 3 || @ Utah Jazz || L 82–97 || Delta Center || 19–12 |- || 32 || January 7 || @ Golden State Warriors || W 106–86 || Oakland Arena || 20–12 |- || 33 || January 9 || Washington Wizards || W 82–77 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 21–12 |- || 34 || January 11 || @ Washington Wizards || W 107–102 (OT) || MCI Center || 22–12 |- || 35 || January 13 || @ New York Knicks || W 91–89 || Madison Square Garden || 23–12 |- || 36 || January 14 || Dallas Mavericks || W 108–82 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 24–12 |- || 37 || January 16 || Golden State Warriors || W 102–89 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 25–12 |- || 38 || January 17 || @ New Jersey Nets || L 81–97 || Continental Airlines Arena || 25–13 |- || 39 || January 20 || Milwaukee Bucks || W 103–89 || Georgia Dome || 26–13 |- || 40 || January 21 || @ San Antonio Spurs || L 76–90 || Alamodome || 26–14 |- || 41 || January 23 || Boston Celtics || L 85–89 || Georgia Dome || 26–15 |- || 42 || January 24 || Portland Trail Blazers || L 77–92 || Georgia Dome || 26–16 |- || 43 || January 26 || Phoenix Suns || L 91–96 || Georgia Dome || 26–17 |- || 44 || January 27 || @ Minnesota Timberwolves || L 96–113 || Target Center || 26–18 |- || 45 || January 29 || Philadelphia 76ers || W 109–99 (OT) || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 27–18 |- || 46 || January 31 || @ Charlotte Hornets || W 103–83 || Charlotte Coliseum || 28–18 |- Atlanta Hawks February no yes #000000 #B86D29 2 2 3 4 |- || 47 || February 2 || @ Miami Heat || L 83–90 || Miami Arena || 28–19 |- || 48 || February 3 || @ Orlando Magic || L 90–91 || Orlando Arena || 28–20 |- || 49 || February 5 || @ Cleveland Cavaliers || W 108–94 || Gund Arena || 29–20 |- || 50 || February 10 || @ Milwaukee Bucks || W 108–100 || Bradley Center || 30–20 |- || 51 || February 13 || @ Chicago Bulls || L 110–112 || United Center || 30–21 |- || 52 || February 14 || Indiana Pacers || L 92–96 || Georgia Dome || 30–22 |- || 53 || February 16 || Orlando Magic || L 81–85 || Georgia Dome || 30–23 |- || 54 || February 18 || New Jersey Nets || W 114–104 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 31–23 |- || 55 || February 20 || Vancouver Grizzlies || W 115–92 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 32–23 |- || 56 || February 25 || @ Denver Nuggets || W 112–88 || McNichols Arena || 33–23 |- || 57 || February 27 || @ Seattle SuperSonics || L 88–90|| KeyArena at Seattle Center || 33–24 |- Atlanta Hawks March no yes #000000 #B86D29 6 1 3 4 |- || 58 || March 1 || @ Vancouver Grizzlies || W 101–76 || General Motors Place || 34–24 |- || 59 || March 6 || Denver Nuggets || W 115–94 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 35–24 |- || 60 || March 8 || Cleveland Cavaliers || W 101–96 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 36–24 |- || 61 || March 11 || @ Boston Celtics || W 110–105 || FleetCenter || 37–24 |- || 62 || March 13 || @ Philadelphia 76ers || L 86–107|| CoreStates Center || 37–25 |- || 63 || March 15 || Boston Celtics || W 93–77 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 38–25 |- || 64 || March 17 || @ Toronto Raptors || W 117–105 || SkyDome || 39–25 |- || 65 || March 19 || Milwaukee Bucks || W 84–81 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 40–25 |- || 66 || March 20 || @ New York Knicks || L 108–109 || Madison Square Garden || 40–26 |- || 67 || March 22 || @ Detroit Pistons || L 98–105 || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 40–27 |- || 68 || March 24 || Orlando Magic || W 85–73 || Georgia Dome || 41–27 |- || 69 || March 27 || Chicago Bulls || L 74–89 || Georgia Dome || 41–28 |- || 70 || March 29 || Detroit Pistons || W 118–95 || Georgia Dome || 42–28 |- || 71 || March 31 || @ New Jersey Nets || W 90–105 || Continental Airlines Arena || 42–29 |- Atlanta Hawks April no yes #000000 #B86D29 6 2 2 1 |- || 72 || April 1 || Toronto Raptors || W 105–91 || Georgia Dome || 43–29 |- || 73 || April 3 || Houston Rockets || W 107–87 || Georgia Dome || 44–29 |- || 74 || April 5 || Minnesota Timberwolves || L 96–97 || Georgia Dome || 44–30 |- || 75 || April 7 || New York Knicks || W 92–79 || Georgia Dome || 45–30 |- || 76 || April 9 || Indiana Pacers || L 102–105 (OT) || Georgia Dome || 45–31 |- || 77 || April 10 || @ Charlotte Hornets || W 99–87 || Charlotte Coliseum || 46–31 |- || 78 || April 12 || @ Washington Wizards || W 91–81 || MCI Center || 47–31 |- || 79 || April 14 || Philadelphia 76ers || W 95–94 || Georgia Dome || 48–31 |- || 80 || April 15 || @ Indiana Pacers || L 70–82 || Market Square Arena || 48–32 |- || 81 || April 17 || Charlotte Hornets || W 121–104 || Georgia Dome || 49–32 |- || 82 || April 19 || Miami Heat || W 101–89 || Georgia Dome || 50–32 |- ATL 1998 Playoffs Atlanta Hawks 1998 yes #C03 #FFFFFF Atlanta Hawks First round yes no yes #000000 #B86D29 1 1 0 2 |- | 1 | April 23 | @ Charlotte | L 87–97 | Steve Smith (35) | Dikembe Mutombo (15) | Mookie Blaylock (9) | Charlotte Coliseum19,176 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 25 | @ Charlotte | L 85–92 | Henderson, Smith (22) | Henderson, Mutombo (9) | Mookie Blaylock (13) | Charlotte Coliseum20,390 | 0–2 |- | 3 | April 28 | Charlotte | W 96–64 | Mookie Blaylock (16) | Dikembe Mutombo (11) | Mookie Blaylock (7) | Georgia Dome19,745 | 1–2 |- | 4 | May 1 | Charlotte | L 82–91 | Steve Smith (27) | Dikembe Mutombo (16) | Mookie Blaylock (4) | Georgia Dome22,074 | 1–3 |- ATL 1998 yes Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Anderson, Greg Greg Anderson 50 0 8.0 .444 .000 .390 2.4 .3 .4 .2 1.8 Barry, Drew Drew Barry 27 0 9.5 .474 .429 .846 1.3 1.8 .4 .0 2.1 Blaylock, Mookie Mookie Blaylock 70 69 38.6 .392 .269 .709 4.9 6.7 2.6 .3 13.2 Brown, Chucky Chucky Brown 77 8 15.6 .433 .250 .724 2.4 .7 .3 .2 5.0 Corbin, Tyrone Tyrone Corbin 79 79 34.2 .439 .348 .789 4.6 2.2 1.3 .1 10.2 Crawford, Chris Chris Crawford 40 0 6.4 .418 .333 .838 1.0 .2 .3 .2 3.8 Gray, Ed Ed Gray 30 3 15.7 .381 .391 .846 1.5 1.1 .5 .4 7.6 Henderson, Alan Alan Henderson 69 33 29.0 .485 .500 .652 6.4 1.1 .6 .5 14.3 Laettner, Christian Christian Laettner 74 49 30.8 .485 .222 .864 6.6 2.6 1.0 1.0 13.8 Livingston, Randy Randy Livingston 12 0 6.8 .250 . .800 .5 .4 .6 .2 .8 Miller, Anthony Anthony Miller 37 0 6.2 .558 . .538 1.9 .1 .4 .1 2.1 Mutombo, Dikembe Dikembe Mutombo 82 82 35.6 .537 . .670 11.4 1.0 .4 3.4 13.4 Oliver, Brian Brian Oliver 5 0 12.2 .368 . .250 1.8 .4 .2 .0 3.0 Recasner, Eldridge Eldridge Recasner 59 14 24.6 .456 .419 .937 2.4 2.0 .7 .0 9.3 Smith, Steve Steve Smith 73 73 39.1 .444 .351 .855 4.2 4.0 1.0 0.4 20.1 Whiteside, Donald Donald Whiteside 3 0 5.3 .500 . . .3 .3 .0 .0 .7 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Anderson, Greg Greg Anderson 1 0 4.0 . . .000 2.0 . . 1.0 . Barry, Drew Drew Barry 2 0 2.5 .000 .000 . .5 . . . . Blaylock, Mookie Mookie Blaylock 4 4 38.3 .415 .296 .583 5.0 8.3 2.3 .3 14.8 Brown, Chucky Chucky Brown 4 0 12.5 .467 .500 .500 1.5 1.0 . . 4.0 Corbin, Tyrone Tyrone Corbin 4 4 28.3 .280 .167 . 3.8 1.0 1.5 .3 3.8 Crawford, Chris Chris Crawford 1 0 4.0 . . 1.000 2.0 . . 1.0 2.0 Henderson, Alan Alan Henderson 4 4 31.5 .526 .000 .611 5.5 1.0 .8 .3 12.8 Laettner, Christian Christian Laettner 4 0 21.8 .343 .000 .882 4.3 1.0 1.5 .3 9.8 Miller, Anthony Anthony Miller 4 0 8.3 .375 . 1.000 2.3 .3 .5 .3 2.0 Mutombo, Dikembe Dikembe Mutombo 4 4 34.0 .458 . .625 12.8 .3 .3 2.3 8.0 Recasner, Eldridge Eldridge Recasner 4 0 22.3 .400 .583 1.000 1.0 2.0 .5 . 7.3 Smith, Steve Steve Smith 4 4 40.0 .574 .500 .688 2.8 2.3 .5 .8 24.8 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Alan Henderson, NBA Most Improved Player Award Dikembe Mutombo, All-NBA Third Team Dikembe Mutombo, NBA All-Defensive First Team Mookie Blaylock, NBA All-Defensive Second Team Transactions Trades September 29, 1997 Traded Priest Lauderdale to the Denver Nuggets for Efthimios Rentzias and a 2000 second round draft pick. Free agents September 26, 1997 Signed Anthony Miller as a free agent. Signed Donald Whiteside as a free agent. Signed Drew Barry as a free agent. October 2, 1997 Signed Chucky Brown as a free agent. Signed Chris King as a free agent. October 8, 1997 Waived Chris King. October 10, 1997 Signed Greg Anderson as a free agent. October 19, 1997 Waived Drew Barry November 7, 1997 Signed Randy Livingston as a free agent. Waived Donald Whiteside. November 20, 1997 Waived Randy Livingston. December 9, 1997 Signed Randy Livingston as a free agent. January 10, 1998 Waived Randy Livingston. January 20, 1998 Signed Drew Barry to a 10-day contract. February 11, 1998 Signed Drew Barry to a contract for the rest of the season. February 13, 1998 Signed Lloyd Daniels to a 10-day contract. February 15, 1998 Released Lloyd Daniels. February 17, 1998 Signed Brian Oliver to the first of two 10-day contracts. Player transactions citation: 1997–98 Atlanta Hawks Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1998_transactions.html July 2, 2021 See also 1997–98 NBA season References Category:Atlanta Hawks seasons Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks