1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Charlotte Hornets 1997 54 28 4 Central 6 Dave Cowens Bob Bass George Shinn Charlotte Coliseum First round(lost to Knicks 0–3) CHH Fox Sports South WJZY WFVT WBT The 1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season was the ninth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. Charlotte Hornets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/ August 6, 2026 For the first time since the 1990–91 season, Larry Johnson was not on the team's opening day roster. Season summary Off-season The Hornets received the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard, and high school basketball star Kobe Bryant, and also selected shooting guard Tony Delk from the University of Kentucky with the 16th overall pick; Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade The New York Times June 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/27/sports/pro-basketball-big-trade-and-some-twists-in-nba-youth-parade.html December 1, 2022 Heisler Mark The Surprises Are Few Los Angeles Times June 27, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-sp-22580-story.html December 1, 2022 1996 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html December 1, 2022 however, the team soon traded Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac, Sports People: Basketball: Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte The New York Times July 2, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/02/sports/sports-people-basketball-divac-agrees-to-a-trade-with-charlotte.html June 20, 2023 Howard-Cooper Scott Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal Los Angeles Times July 12, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-12-sp-23543-story.html July 25, 2022 Lakers Trade Divac for Bryant The Washington Post July 12, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/12/lakers-trade-divac-for-bryant/325d6351-26ac-4e73-b25d-70b381ba411c/ December 1, 2022 acquired Anthony Mason from the New York Knicks, Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Knicks Chase Hornets' Johnson as N.B.A. Resumes Business The New York Times July 12, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/12/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-chase-hornets-johnson-as-nba-resumes-business.html March 20, 2022 Around the NBA The Washington Post July 13, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/13/around-the-nba/70b36d3d-01c9-425a-acb9-898b3bf92784/ June 20, 2023 Associated Press Payton Stays in Seattle; Knicks Get a Backcourt Los Angeles Times July 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-15-sp-24361-story.html July 10, 2022 and signed free agent Tony Smith during the off-season. Associated Press Ex-Laker Smith Joins Hornets Los Angeles Times October 21, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-sp-56289-story.html July 11, 2022 The team also hired former Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens as their new head coach. Hornets Reportedly Set to Hire Cowens United Press International May 23, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/23/Hornets-reportedly-set-to-hire-Cowens/6057832824000/ November 18, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Cowens Is Fired Up to Coach The New York Times May 29, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/29/sports/sports-people-basketball-cowens-is-fired-up-to-coach.html January 1, 2022 Cowens to Coach Hornets The Washington Post May 29, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/29/cowens-to-coach-hornets/07b2d9f0-71ff-4072-825b-103a469ba422/ April 21, 2023 Regular season Under Cowens, and with the addition of Divac and Mason, the Hornets struggled with an 8–9 start to the regular season, but then won 21 of their next 31 games, holding a 29–19 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 July 19, 2022 At mid-season, the team signed free agent, and former All-Star forward Tom Chambers in January, Associated Press Chambers in Comeback The New York Times January 31, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/31/sports/chambers-in-comeback.html September 18, 2022 Associated Press Jordan Hints at Return Next Season Los Angeles Times January 31, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-31-sp-23963-story.html October 3, 2022 Switzer Dennis Chambers' Life of Leisure on Hold After Charlotte Comes A-Calling Deseret News January 31, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/1/31/19292457/chambers-life-of-leisure-on-hold-after-charlotte-comes-a-calling January 8, 2023 then traded Scott Burrell to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Donald Royal, and traded second-year guard Anthony Goldwire, and second-year center George Zidek to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ricky Pierce in February. Brown Clifton Jackson Is Back with Pacers The New York Times February 21, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/21/sports/jackson-is-back-with-pacers.html January 4, 2023 Associated Press Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little Los Angeles Times February 21, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-21-sp-30982-story.html September 17, 2022 Pacers Make Point in Re-Acquiring Jackson The Washington Post February 21, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/02/21/pacers-make-point-in-reacquiring-jackson/0f6abc14-8570-4dae-aa01-8db81c54d166/ June 21, 2023 However, Chambers was released to free agency after 12 games. The Hornets posted a nine-game winning streak in April, and finished in fourth place in the Central Division with a franchise-best 54–28 record, earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, and making it back to the NBA playoffs after a one-year absence. 1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997_games.html June 21, 2021 Glen Rice averaged a career-high of 26.8 points per game, led the Hornets with 207 three-point field goals, and shot .470 in three-point field-goal percentage; he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. In addition, Mason averaged 16.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while sixth man Dell Curry contributed 14.8 points per game and 126 three-point field goals off the bench, and Divac provided the team with 12.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Pierce contributed 12.0 points per game in 27 games after the trade, Matt Geiger averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, but only played just 49 games due to a back injury, Wire Reports Hornets' Geiger Placed on Injured List Again, Because of Back Spasms Greensboro January 2, 1997 https://greensboro.com/hornets-geiger-placed-on-injured-list-again-because-of-back/article_7080f918-8076-509e-9ac3-3f70f2677c19.html November 5, 2022 Associated Press Hornets Shuffle Roster with Geiger Back Los Angeles Times February 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-26-sp-32579-story.html June 29, 2022 Muggsy Bogues provided with 8.0 points, 7.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, Delk contributed 5.4 points per game, and Smith averaged 5.0 points per game. 1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Rice was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Jorgensen Loren No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home Deseret News February 8, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/8/19293914/no-offense-but-malone-would-rather-be-home April 19, 2023 Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ December 28, 2022 Rice scored 26 points, and made 4 out of 7 three-point field-goal attempts off the bench, and was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, as the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference, 132–120. Wise Mike Rice Stages His Own Shootout in East's Victory The New York Times February 10, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/10/sports/rice-stages-his-own-shootout-in-east-s-victory.html July 26, 2017 NBA.com Staff 1997 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 May 16, 2023 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html November 27, 2021 In addition, Rice also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the third consecutive year. NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 19, 2025 Rice finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Mason finished tied in ninth place; Kawakami Tim MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness Los Angeles Times May 19, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html September 24, 2022 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html January 2, 2022 Rice also finished tied in fifth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Curry finished tied in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Associated Press Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor The Spokesman-Review April 24, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/24/knicks-starks-turns-demotion-into-honor/ June 10, 2023 and Cowens finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting, behind Pat Riley of the Miami Heat. Riley Coach of Year; Sloan 3rd Deseret News May 9, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/9/19311801/riley-coach-of-year-sloan-3rd January 2, 2023 The Hornets led the NBA in home-game attendance for the eighth, and final time during their history in Charlotte, with an attendance of 985,722 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the regular season; the team also finished with the best three-point field-goal percentage in NBA history, shooting .428 from beyond the arch. 1996–97 NBA Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html October 22, 2021 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Hornets faced off against the 3rd–seeded New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Sixth Man of the Year, John Starks. The Hornets lost the first two games to the Knicks on the road at Madison Square Garden, before losing Game 3 at home, 104–95 at the Charlotte Coliseum, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Macenka Joe Knicks 104, Hornets 95 The Washington Post April 28, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/chany3.htm May 30, 2022 Wise Mike Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts The New York Times April 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/knicks-sweep-away-hornets-and-season-of-doubts.html July 3, 2021 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hornets-vs-knicks.html February 4, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Pierce re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks during the next season, Transactions The New York Times December 5, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/05/sports/transactions-464007.html October 7, 2022 Associated Press Nelson Replaces Cleamons Los Angeles Times December 5, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-05-sp-61012-story.html November 18, 2022 Wire Reports Mavs Respond to Change The Spokesman-Review December 5, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/dec/05/mavs-respond-to-change/ November 12, 2023 and Smith and Royal were both released to free agency. NBA draft 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School 1 13 Kobe Bryant SG Lower Merion HS 1 16 Tony Delk SG/PG Kentucky 2 44 Malik Rose PF Drexel The Hornets entered the draft with two first-round picks and one second-round pick. The 16th pick was acquired from the Miami Heat via trade in 1995. In the 1996 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick. Before he was chosen by the Hornets, the 17-year-old Bryant had made a lasting impression on then-Lakers general manager Jerry West, who immediately foresaw potential in Bryant's basketball ability during pre-draft workouts. West even went on to state that Bryant's workouts were some of the bests he had seen. Immediately after the draft, Dave Cowens expressed that the Hornets had no use for him. Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant. Wertz Jr. Langston Once Again, the Hornets Didn't Kick Kobe Bryant Out the Door in '96 The Charlotte Observer April 3, 2018 https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article207804254.html July 18, 2021 However, this ultimately proved brilliant, as Bryant went on to win 5 NBA championships with the Lakers, while the Hornets have yet to win one. Roster Charlotte Hornets 1996–97 #048BA6 #000000 #323290 #FFFFFF 7 Rafael Addison F 6 7 215 1964–07–22 Syracuse 1 Muggsy Bogues G 5 3 136 1965–01–09 Wake Forest 30 Dell Curry G 6 4 190 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech 00 Tony Delk G 6 1 189 1974–01–28 Kentucky 12 Vlade Divac C 7 1 243 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia 52 Matt Geiger C 7 0 243 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech 14 Anthony Mason basketball F 6 7 250 1966–12–14 Tennessee State 21 Ricky Pierce G 6 4 205 1959–08–19 Rice 41 Glen Rice F 6 7 215 1967–05–28 Michigan 31 Malik Rose F 6 7 250 1974–11–23 Drexel 5 Donald Royal F 6 8 210 1966–05–22 Notre Dame 34 Tony Smith basketball G 6 3 185 1968–06–14 Marquette Dave Cowens T. R. Dunn Lee Rose https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997.html February 20, 1997 Roster notes Power forward Tom Chambers was waived on April 8, 1997. Regular season Season standings CHH CHH Game log Regular season Charlotte Hornets 1997 #008080 #800080 Total: 54–28 (home: 30–11; road: 24–17) Charlotte Hornets November yes #800080 #008080 5 2 3 4 |- | 1 | November 2, 1996 | Toronto | W 109–98 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 1–0 |- | 2 | November 3, 1996 | @ New York | L 86–113 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 1–1 |- | 3 | November 6, 1996 | L.A. Lakers | W 88–78 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 2–1 |- | 4 | November 8, 1996 | @ Washington | W 102–87 | | | | US Airways Arena | 3–1 |- | 5 | November 9, 1996 | Milwaukee | L 98–100 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 3–2 |- | 6 | November 12, 1996 | @ Miami | L 72–93 | | | | Miami Arena | 3–3 |- | 7 | November 14, 1996 | @ Orlando | L 89–96 | | | | Orlando Arena | 3–4 |- | 8 | November 15, 1996 | Chicago | L 87–110 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 3–5 |- | 9 | November 20, 1996 | New York | W 93–86 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 4–5 |- | 10 | November 21, 1996 | @ Indiana | W 90–87 | | | | Market Square Arena | 5–5 |- | 11 | November 23, 1996 | Detroit | W 93–85 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 6–5 |- | 12 | November 26, 1996 | Seattle | W 97–89 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 7–5 |- | 13 | November 27, 1996 | @ Toronto | L 88–92 | | | | SkyDome | 7–6 |- | 14 | November 30, 1996 | @ Milwaukee | W 94–87 | | | | Bradley Center | 8–6 Charlotte Hornets December #800080 #008080 3 2 5 5 |- | 15 | December 2, 1996 | @ Utah | L 97–107 | | | | Delta Center | 8–7 |- | 16 | December 3, 1996 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 89–96 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 8–8 |- | 17 | December 6, 1996 | @ Portland | L 93–97 | | | | Rose Garden Arena | 8–9 |- | 18 | December 7, 1996 | @ Seattle | W 94–92 | | | | KeyArena | 9–9 |- | 19 | December 9, 1996 | @ Vancouver | W 107–91 | | | | General Motors Place | 10–9 |- | 20 | December 11, 1996 | Denver | W 101–97 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 11–9 |- | 21 | December 13, 1996 | Philadelphia | W 84–75 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 12–9 |- | 22 | December 14, 1996 | @ Chicago | L 82–87 | | | | United Center | 12–10 |- | 23 | December 17, 1996 | @ Philadelphia | W 93–84 | | | | CoreStates Center | 13–10 |- | 24 | December 19, 1996 | Chicago | L 72–93 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 13–11 |- | 25 | December 21, 1996 | Atlanta | W 98–93 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 14–11 |- | 26 | December 22, 1996 | @ Boston | W 102–98 | | | | FleetCenter | 15–11 |- | 27 | December 27, 1996 | Miami | L 86–101 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 15–12 |- | 28 | December 28, 1996 | @ Detroit | L 75–97 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 15–13 |- | 29 | December 30, 1996 | @ Washington | W 101–92 | | | | US Airways Arena | 16–13 Charlotte Hornets January #800080 #008080 5 2 5 4 |- | 30 | January 2, 1997 | Dallas | W 107–97 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 17–13 |- | 31 | January 4, 1997 | Washington | L 93–104 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 17–14 |- | 32 | January 6, 1997 | @ Golden State | W 109–101 | | | | San Jose Arena | 18–14 |- | 33 | January 8, 1997 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 97–101 | | | | Great Western Forum | 18–15 |- | 34 | January 10, 1997 | @ Phoenix | L 90–102 | | | | America West Arena | 18–16 |- | 35 | January 12, 1997 | @ Sacramento | W 97–93 | | | | ARCO Arena | 19–16 |- | 36 | January 13, 1997 | @ Denver | W 102–100 (OT) | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 20–16 |- | 37 | January 15, 1997 | New Jersey | W 116–104 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 21–16 |- | 38 | January 18, 1997 | @ New Jersey | W 102–92 | | | | Continental Airlines Arena | 22–16 |- | 39 | January 20, 1997 | @ Atlanta | L 97–106 | | | | The Omni | 22–17 |- | 40 | January 21, 1997 | Houston | W 114–108 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 23–17 |- | 41 | January 24, 1997 | New York | W 113–104 (OT) | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 24–17 |- | 42 | January 25, 1997 | @ Cleveland | L 73–106 | | | | Gund Arena | 24–18 |- | 43 | January 28, 1997 | @ Indiana | W 98–97 | | | | Market Square Arena | 25–18 |- | 44 | January 29, 1997 | Indiana | L 95–106 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 25–19 |- | 45 | January 31, 1997 | Milwaukee | W 102–95 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 26–19 Charlotte Hornets February #800080 #008080 6 1 4 2 |- | 46 | February 2, 1997 | @ New York | W 99–93 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 27–19 |- | 47 | February 4, 1997 | Minnesota | W 115–101 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 28–19 |- | 48 | February 6, 1997 | Sacramento | W 115–100 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 29–19 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- | 49 | February 11, 1997 | @ Chicago | L 100–103 | | | | United Center | 29–20 |- | 50 | February 12, 1997 | New Jersey | W 113–100 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 30–20 |- | 51 | February 14, 1997 | Detroit | L 103–109 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 30–21 |- | 52 | February 17, 1997 | Orlando | W 124–110 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 31–21 |- | 53 | February 19, 1997 | Phoenix | W 123–115 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 32–21 |- | 54 | February 21, 1997 | L.A. Clippers | W 114–96 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 33–21 |- | 55 | February 22, 1997 | @ Atlanta | W 93–92 | | | | The Omni | 34–21 |- | 56 | February 24, 1997 | @ San Antonio | W 96–84 | | | | Alamodome | 35–21 |- | 57 | February 25, 1997 | @ Dallas | L 84–86 | | | | Reunion Arena | 35–22 |- | 58 | February 27, 1997 | @ Houston | W 106–95 | | | | The Summit | 36–22 Charlotte Hornets March #800080 #008080 6 3 3 1 |- | 59 | March 2, 1997 | @ Minnesota | W 108–96 | | | | Target Center | 37–22 |- | 60 | March 4, 1997 | San Antonio | W 105–98 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 38–22 |- | 61 | March 6, 1997 | Boston | W 122–121 (OT) | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 39–22 |- | 62 | March 9, 1997 | Miami | W 82–76 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 40–22 |- | 63 | March 11, 1997 | Vancouver | W 98–92 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 41–22 |- | 64 | March 14, 1997 | @ Orlando | L 81–86 | | | | Orlando Arena | 41–23 |- | 65 | March 15, 1997 | @ Philadelphia | W 107–99 | | | | CoreStates Center | 42–23 |- | 66 | March 17, 1997 | Utah | L 93–114 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 42–24 |- | 67 | March 19, 1997 | Cleveland | W 90–72 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 43–24 |- | 68 | March 21, 1997 | @ Toronto | W 102–97 | | | | SkyDome | 44–24 |- | 69 | March 22, 1997 | Golden State | W 100–93 (OT) | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 45–24 |- | 70 | March 26, 1997 | Portland | L 87–88 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 45–25 |- | 71 | March 28, 1997 | Indiana | L 115–116 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 45–26 Charlotte Hornets April #800080 #008080 5 1 4 1 |- | 72 | April 2, 1997 | Atlanta | W 95–84 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 46–26 |- | 73 | April 3, 1997 | @ New Jersey | W 93–87 | | | | Continental Airlines Arena | 47–26 |- | 74 | April 5, 1997 | Philadelphia | W 115–113 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 48–26 |- | 75 | April 7, 1997 | @ Cleveland | W 110–105 (OT) | | | | Gund Arena | 49–26 |- | 76 | April 9, 1997 | Boston | W 136–111 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 50–26 |- | 77 | April 11, 1997 | @ Detroit | W 93–85 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 51–26 |- | 78 | April 12, 1997 | Washington | W 99–97 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 52–26 |- | 79 | April 14, 1997 | Cleveland | W 94–82 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 53–26 |- | 80 | April 16, 1997 | @ Boston | W 108–102 | | | | FleetCenter | 54–26 |- | 81 | April 18, 1997 | Toronto | L 100–108 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 54–27 |- | 82 | April 20, 1997 | @ Milwaukee | L 100–120 | | | | Bradley Center | 54–28 CHH 1997 Playoffs Charlotte Hornets #008080 #800080 yes 1997 Charlotte Hornets #800080 #008080 First Round yes yes 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 24, 1997 | @ New York | L 99–109 | Vlade Divac (27) | Anthony Mason (13) | Anthony Mason (5) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 26, 1997 | @ New York | L 93–100 | Glen Rice (39) | Divac, Mason (12) | four players tied (2) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 28, 1997 | New York | L 95–104 | Glen Rice (22) | Anthony Mason (11) | Glen Rice (9) | Charlotte Coliseum24,042 | 0–3 |- CHH yes 1997 Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameVlade DivacC81 80 2,840 725 301 103 180 1,024 35.1 9.0 3.7 1.3 2.2 12.6Glen RiceSF 79 78 3,362 318 160 72 26 2,115 42.6 4.0 2.0 .9 .3 26.8Anthony Mason basketballPF 73 73 3,143 829 414 76 33 1,186 43.1 11.4 5.7 1.0 .5 16.2Tony Smith basketballPG 69 39 1,291 94 150 48 19 346 18.7 1.4 2.2 .7 .3 5.0Dell CurrySG 68 20 2,078 211 118 60 14 1,008 30.6 3.1 1.7 .9 .2 14.8Muggsy BoguesPG 65 65 1,880 141 469 82 2 522 28.9 2.2 7.2 1.3 .0 8.0Tony DelkPG 61 1 867 99 99 36 6 332 14.2 1.6 1.6 .6 .1 5.4Malik RosePF 54 1 525 164 32 28 17 160 9.7 3.0 .6 .5 .3 3.0Matt GeigerC 49 13 1,044 258 38 20 27 437 21.3 5.3 .8 .4 .6 8.9Rafael AddisonSF 41 3 355 45 34 8 3 128 8.7 1.1 .8 .2 .1 3.1George Zidek†C 36 2 288 63 9 4 3 91 8.0 1.8 .3 .1 .1 2.5Anthony Goldwire†PG 33 9 576 38 94 19 1 190 17.5 1.2 2.8 .6 .0 5.8Scott Burrell†SF 28 2 482 79 39 14 11 151 17.2 2.8 1.4 .5 .4 5.4Ricky Pierce†SG 27 17 650 68 49 14 4 324 24.1 2.5 1.8 .5 .1 12.0Donald Royal†SF 25 2 320 58 10 12 2 70 12.8 2.3 .4 .5 .1 2.8Tom Chambers basketballPF 12 5 83 14 4 1 0 19 6.9 1.2 .3 .1 .0 1.6Jamie Feick†C 3 0 10 3 0 0 1 5 3.3 1.0 .0 .0 .3 1.7Eric Leckner†C 1 0 11 1 1 0 0 0 11.0 1.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only. Playoffs Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameGlen RiceSF3 3 137 11 11 4 1 83 45.7 3.7 3.7 1.3 .3 27.7Anthony Mason basketballPF3 3 131 36 9 1 1 39 43.7 12.0 3.0 .3 .3 13.0Vlade DivacC3 3 116 26 10 3 6 54 38.7 8.7 3.3 1.0 2.0 18.0Ricky PierceSG3 2 87 8 4 2 0 23 29.0 2.7 1.3 .7 .0 7.7Tony DelkPG3 1 85 10 6 2 0 31 28.3 3.3 2.0 .7 .0 10.3Dell CurrySG3 1 50 1 5 4 0 14 16.7 .3 1.7 1.3 .0 4.7Matt GeigerC3 0 31 8 2 2 1 6 10.3 2.7 .7 .7 .3 2.0Muggsy BoguesPG 2 2 58 3 5 1 0 32 29.0 1.5 2.5 .5 .0 16.0Malik RosePF 2 0 12 5 1 0 0 4 6.0 2.5 .5 .0 .0 2.0Tony Smith basketballPG 2 0 9 1 2 1 0 1 4.5 .5 1.0 .5 .0 .5Donald RoyalSF 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 4.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 Awards and records Glen Rice, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Bob Bass, NBA Executive of the Year Award Glen Rice, All-NBA Second Team Anthony Mason, All-NBA Third Team Anthony Mason, NBA All-Defensive Second Team Transactions July 11, 1996 Released Michael Adams. Traded Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. Released Robert Parish. July 14, 1996 Traded Larry Johnson to the New York Knicks for Brad Lohaus and Anthony Mason. October 3, 1996 Signed Bob McCann as a free agent. October 19, 1996 Signed Tony Smith as a free agent. October 31, 1996 Waived Brad Lohaus. January 6, 1997 Signed Jamie Feick to the first of two 10-day contracts. January 28, 1997 Signed Eric Leckner to a 10-day contract. January 30, 1997 Signed Tom Chambers to a contract for the rest of the season. February 20, 1997 Traded Scott Burrell to the Golden State Warriors for Donald Royal. Traded Anthony Goldwire and George Zidek to the Denver Nuggets for Ricky Pierce. April 8, 1997 Waived Tom Chambers. Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997_transactions.html July 2, 2021 References Hornets on Database Basketball Hornets on Basketball Reference Category:Charlotte Hornets seasons Char Bob Bob Category:1990s in Charlotte, North Carolina