1997–98 Houston Rockets season

March 2026 August 2023 Houston Rockets 1998 41 41 Midwest 4 8 Rudy Tomjanovich Carroll Dawson Leslie Alexander The Summit First round(lost to Jazz 2–3) KHTVFox Sports Southwest KTRH HOU The 1997–98 Houston Rockets season was the 31st season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 27th season in Houston, Texas. Houston Rockets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Rockets had the 24th overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Rodrick Rhodes from the University of Southern 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 March 4, 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 March 4, 2026 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html March 4, 2026 Regular season The Rockets got off to a slow 3–5 start to the regular season, but then posted a nine-game winning streak afterwards, winning 12 of their first 17 games of the season. However, Hakeem Olajuwon suffered a left knee injury in November and only played just 47 games. Olajuwon May Need Surgery on Bad Knee Deseret News November 24, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/11/24/19347406/olajuwon-may-need-surgery-on-bad-knee February 2, 2023 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: O'Neal, Olajuwon Lengthen Injury List The New York Times November 25, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/25/sports/pro-basketball-o-neal-olajuwon-lengthen-injury-list.html October 5, 2022 Associated Press Olajuwon Has Knee Surgery Los Angeles Times November 25, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-25-sp-57570-story.html July 17, 2017 Without Olajuwon for most of the first half of the season, and with aging players on the team, the Rockets struggled and fell below .500 in winning percentage, holding a 22–24 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 20, 2022 In February, head coach Rudy Tomjanovich changed the team's starting lineup, replacing Charles Barkley at power forward with Kevin Willis, as Barkley played a sixth man role off the bench for the remainder of the season; Willis had previously started at center in Olajuwon's absence. Associated Press Rockets Use Super Sub to Drub Sonics; Barkley Comes Off Bench to Grab 21 Rebounds, Score 12 in 97-83 Win The Spokesman-Review February 11, 1998 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/feb/11/rockets-use-super-sub-to-drub-sonics-barkley/ July 4, 2021 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Starks's Offense Meshes with a Stifling Defense The New York Times February 23, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/23/sports/pro-basketball-starks-s-offense-meshes-with-a-stifling-defense.html February 2, 2023 Associated Press Rockets Leap Over Kings, 97-85 CBS News April 11, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rockets-leap-over-kings-97-85/ February 2, 2023 Olajuwon eventually returned as the Rockets finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a mediocre 41–41 record, and earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference; 1997–98 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1998_games.html June 21, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Clyde Drexler averaged 18.4 points, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and contributed 106 three-point field goals, while Willis averaged 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Olajuwon provided the team with 16.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. In addition, Barkley provided with 15.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, while second-year guard, and three-point specialist Matt Maloney contributed 8.6 points per game, and led the Rockets with 126 three-point field goals, and Mario Elie and Eddie Johnson both averaged 8.4 points per game each. Meanwhile, three-point specialist Matt Bullard provided with 7.0 points per game, second-year forward Othella Harrington averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, Rhodes contributed 5.8 points per game, and Brent Price provided with 5.6 points and 2.7 assists per game. 1997–98 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Drexler won the inaugural NBA 2Ball Competition, along with Cynthia Cooper of the WNBA's Houston Comets. Popper Steve N.B.A. All-Star Weekend: Kids Slam and Ham, But a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball The New York Times February 8, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/08/sports/nba-all-star-weekend-kids-slam-ham-but-grown-up-shoots-for-dough-houston-pair.html January 16, 2022 Malone, Reiss Finish 2nd in 2Ball Deseret News February 8, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/2/8/19362175/malone-reiss-finish-2nd-in-2ball?_amp=true December 5, 2022 Bender Patricia 1997–98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York Eskimo.com https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/all-star98.txt September 19, 2025 Meanwhile, Rhodes was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member 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 Neither Drexler, Olajuwon or Barkley were 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 Rockets finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 670,117 at The Summit during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, and the fourth time in five years, the Rockets faced off against the top–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Hornacek. In a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals, and with the series tied at 1–1, the Rockets won Game 3 over the Jazz at home, 89–85 at The Summit to take a 2–1 series lead. Associated Press NBA Playoffs: Utah Loses and Nears Elimination The New York Times April 30, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/30/sports/nba-playoffs-utah-loses-and-nears-elimination.html January 18, 2022 Jorgensen Loren Dream Turns Into Jazz's Nightmare Deseret News April 30, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/4/30/19377312/dream-turn-into-jazz-s-nightmare February 24, 2023 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets Box Score, April 29, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804290HOU.html June 6, 2026 However, Barkley suffered a torn triceps muscle injury in Game 4, in which the Rockets lost to the Jazz at home, 93–71. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs -- Houston: Injury Ends Barkley's Season The New York Times May 3, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/03/sports/nba-playoffs-houston-injury-ends-barkley-s-season.html July 23, 2017 Facer Dirk Barkley's Out With Muscle Tear Deseret News May 3, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/5/3/19377748/barkley-s-out-with-muscle-tear January 4, 2023 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 1, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199805010HOU.html June 6, 2026 Without Barkley, the Rockets lost Game 5 to the Jazz on the road, 84–70 at the Delta Center, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Drape Tom THE N.B.A. Playoffs: Youthful Sprint Wears Out Houston The New York Times May 4, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/04/sports/the-nba-playoffs-youthful-sprint-wears-out-houston.html March 2, 2017 Heisler Mark Resurgent Ostertag Helps Jazz Play On Los Angeles Times May 4, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-04-sp-46304-story.html May 30, 2022 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-western-conference-first-round-rockets-vs-jazz.html February 4, 2023 It was the first time that the Rockets lost in the opening round of the NBA playoffs since the 1990–91 season. The Jazz would go on to lose in six games to the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals for the second straight year. 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 May 30, 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 4, 2023 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on December 6, 1997, in which the Rockets traveled to Mexico City, Mexico to play against the Dallas Mavericks at the Palacio de los Deportes (Sports Palace). Despite the Mavericks being the home team, the fans cheered for the Rockets. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks by a score of 108–106, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,635 fans in attendance; Barkley led the team with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. It was the first ever NBA regular season game played in Mexico. Associated Press N.B.A.: Yesterday: Rockets Win as N.B.A. Makes Debut in Mexico The New York Times December 7, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/07/sports/nba-yesterday-rockets-win-as-nba-makes-debut-in-mexico.html May 16, 2022 Associated Press 20,635 See Rockets Win in Mexico Los Angeles Times December 7, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-07-sp-61703-story.html November 18, 2022 Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, December 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199712060DAL.html March 4, 2026 Aftermath This was also the final season for Drexler, who received a standing ovation after the Rockets' Game 5 loss to the Jazz at the Delta Center; he then retired to take over the head coaching job at the University of Houston, where he had played college basketball along with Olajuwon, ending his 15-year career in the NBA. Rhoden William C. Sports of the Times: 30-Something Nears an End in the N.B.A. The New York Times May 9, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/09/sports/sports-of-the-times-30-something-nears-an-end-in-the-nba.html January 4, 2023 White Lonnie Shifting Into Overglide Los Angeles Times November 29, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-29-sp-48912-story.html May 24, 2022 Also following the season, Willis was traded to the Toronto Raptors, Associated Press Rockets' Willis Dealt to Toronto CBS News June 9, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rockets-willis-dealt-to-toronto/#app September 24, 2022 Associated Press N.B.A.: Houston: Rockets Trade Willis to Raptors The New York Times June 10, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/10/sports/nba-houston-rockets-trade-willis-to-raptors.html July 31, 2021 Shapiro Mark Raptors Get Willis for Rogers, 2 Draft Picks Chicago Tribune June 10, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-06-10-9806100088-story.html December 5, 2022 while Elie signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, Associated Press NBA Dealings: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign Kitsap Sun January 23, 1999 https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/01-23/0066_nba_dealings__mcdyess__divac_and_.html June 25, 2023 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 Associated Press Elie Provides Spurs with a Much-Needed Edge Los Angeles Times May 31, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-31-sp-42866-story.html November 16, 2022 and reserve defensive center Charles Jones, the oldest player in the league during the season, retired at age 41. Offseason Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 24 Rodrick Rhodes SG United States USC 2 29 Serge Zwikker C Netherlands North Carolina Roster Houston Rockets 1997–98 #1D2951 #FFFFFF #B50000 #FFFFFF 4 Charles Barkley F 6 6 252 1963–02–20 Auburn 50 Matt Bullard F 6 10 215 1967–06–05 Iowa 15 Emanual Davis G 6 4 195 1968–08–27 Delaware State 22 Clyde Drexler G 6 7 210 1962–06–22 Houston 17 Mario Elie G/F 6 5 210 1963–11–26 American International 32 Othella Harrington F/C 6 9 235 1974–01–31 Georgetown 8 Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 F 6 7 215 1959–05–01 Illinois 27 Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 F/C 6 9 215 1957–04–03 Albany State 12 Matt Maloney G 6 3 192 1971–12–06 Penn 34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7 0 255 1963–01–21 Houston 20 Brent Price G 6 1 165 1968–12–09 Oklahoma 1 Rodrick Rhodes G/F 6 6 225 1973–09–24 Southern California 41 Joe Stephens basketball F 6 7 210 1973–01–28 University of Arkansas at Little Rock 42 Kevin Willis F/C 7 0 220 1962–09–06 Michigan State Rudy Tomjanovich Bill Berry Jim Boylen Larry Smith https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1998.html Roster Notes Rookie center Serge Zwikker was placed on the inactive list, and never played for the Rockets. Regular season Season standings HOU HOU z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Houston Rockets 1998 yes #1D2951 #FFFFFF Houston Rockets First Round yes yes no #C03 #FFFFFF 1 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 23 | @ Utah | W 103–90 | Clyde Drexler (22) | Kevin Willis (14) | Clyde Drexler (6) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 25 | @ Utah | L 90–105 | Hakeem Olajuwon (16) | Kevin Willis (12) | Matt Maloney (6) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 29 | Utah | W 89–85 | Hakeem Olajuwon (28) | Hakeem Olajuwon (12) | Drexler, Maloney (5) | The Summit16,285 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 1 | Utah | L 71–93 | Hakeem Olajuwon (27) | Hakeem Olajuwon (15) | Clyde Drexler (5) | The Summit16,285 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 3 | @ Utah | L 70–84 | Kevin Willis (16) | Kevin Willis (11) | three players tied (3) | Delta Center19,911 | 2–3 |- HOU 1998 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGCharles Barkley 68 41 33.0 .485 .214 .746 11.7 3.2 1.0 .4 15.2Matt Bullard 67 24 17.8 .450 .416 .741 2.2 .9 .5 .4 7.0Emanual Davis 45 0 13.3 .444 .375 .838 1.0 1.3 .4 .1 4.1Clyde Drexler 70 70 35.3 .427 .317 .801 4.9 5.5 1.8 .6 18.4Mario Elie 73 59 27.2 .452 .291 .833 2.1 3.0 1.1 .1 8.4Othella Harrington 58 3 15.6 .485 .000 .754 3.6 .4 .2 .5 6.0Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 75 1 19.9 .417 .333 .831 2.0 1.2 .4 .0 8.4Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 24 0 5.3 .700 .500 1.0 .2 .0 .3 .6Matt Maloney 78 78 28.4 .408 .364 .833 1.8 2.8 .8 .1 8.6Hakeem Olajuwon 47 45 34.7 .483 .000 .755 9.8 3.0 1.8 2.0 16.4Brent Price 72 2 18.5 .413 .390 .786 1.5 2.7 .7 .1 5.6Rodrick Rhodes 58 13 18.4 .367 .250 .617 1.2 1.9 1.1 .2 5.8Joe Stephens basketball 7 0 5.3 .357 .300 .667 .9 .1 .3 .0 3.9Kevin Willis 81 74 31.2 .510 .143 .793 8.4 1.0 .7 .5 16.1 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGCharles Barkley 4 0 21.8 .522 .000 .571 5.3 1.0 1.3 .0 9.0Matt Bullard 5 4 14.0 .333 .300 1.000 1.6 1.0 .2 .0 3.4Clyde Drexler 5 5 36.4 .309 .192 .757 5.4 4.6 1.6 .6 15.0Mario Elie 5 1 26.6 .444 .333 .667 2.6 1.2 .4 .0 6.6Othella Harrington 3 0 7.7 .500 .000 .800 2.3 .0 .0 .3 5.3Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 5 0 17.8 .333 .300 .875 1.6 .2 .0 .0 5.6Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 4 0 2.8 1.000 .8 .3 .0 .0 .5Matt Maloney 5 5 33.0 .333 .250 .889 1.6 3.6 .4 .4 6.6Hakeem Olajuwon 5 5 38.0 .394 .000 .727 10.8 2.4 1.0 3.2 20.4Brent Price 5 0 15.0 .400 .385 .667 1.8 1.2 .8 .0 3.8Rodrick Rhodes 3 0 2.3 .667 .500 .3 .0 .3 .0 2.0Kevin Willis 5 5 33.6 .400 .000 .750 10.6 1.0 1.6 .6 11.2 Player statistics citation: Awards and records January 2011 Transactions January 2011 References See also 1997–98 NBA season Category:Houston Rockets seasons Houston Category:1997 in sports in Texas Category:1998 in sports in Texas Category:1997 in Houston Category:1998 in Houston