1997–98 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1998 36 46 Atlantic 6 12 Rick Pitino Rick Pitino Paul Gaston Fleet Center WSBK-TVSportsChannel/Fox Sports New England WEEI Did not qualify BOS The 1997–98 Boston Celtics season was the 52nd season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Celtics received the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected point guard Chauncey Billups from the University of Colorado; the team also selected shooting guard Ron Mercer from the University of Kentucky with the sixth overall pick. The Celtics acquired the sixth pick in the draft from the Dallas Mavericks via trade. 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 July 25, 2021 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 December 1, 2022 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html December 1, 2022 Despite finishing with the league's second worst record at 15–67 the previous season, the Celtics were back in the headlines after hiring University of Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino as their new coach, and team president. Dohrmann George Pitino Is Lured by Celtic Green Los Angeles Times May 7, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-07-sp-56236-story.html September 23, 2022 Greenberg Alan Pitino Celtics' 1st Step Hartford Courant May 7, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-05-07-9705070512-story.html June 27, 2022 With Pitino in Boston, Bird Goes to Pacers The New York Times May 9, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/09/sports/with-pitino-in-boston-bird-goes-to-pacers.html December 30, 2021 During the off-season, the team signed free agents Chris Mills, Celtics Sign Chris Mills and Tyus Edney Associated Press August 22, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/33225e7727207e24b79a43754af0fddc December 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221228043457/https://apnews.com/article/33225e7727207e24b79a43754af0fddc December 28, 2022 dead Bloomberg News Celtics Sign 2 Free Agents The New York Times August 23, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/23/sports/celtics-sign-2-free-agents.html December 27, 2022 Transactions Hartford Courant August 23, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-08-23-9708230310-story.html July 17, 2022 second-year center Travis Knight, Howard-Cooper Scott Knight Agrees to $22-Million Celtic Contract Los Angeles Times July 5, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-05-sp-9946-story.html November 7, 2022 Greenberg Alan To Sign Knight, Celtics Give Up Rights to Fox Hartford Courant July 8, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-07-08-9707080247-story.html July 12, 2022 Andrew DeClercq, Bruce Bowen, Tony Massenburg, Celtics' Signings  Wilmington Morning Star  July 29, 1997  5C  https://books.google.com/books?id=MrxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=1997+Boston+Celtics+signed+forward+tony+massenburg&article_id=5663,5099629&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_4_OsvcGXAxX73ckDHRKFKlYQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=1997%20Boston%20Celtics%20signed%20forward%20tony%20massenburg&f=false October 17, 2026 Greenberg Alan Can Pitino Handle Full Control? Hartford Courant October 26, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-26-9710260315-story.html October 7, 2022 and Tyus Edney. However, later on in October, the Celtics traded Mills to the New York Knicks in exchange for second-year forward Walter McCarty, rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick John Thomas from the University of Minnesota, rookie small forward Dontae' Jones, and Scott Brooks. Roberts Selena Pro Basketball: Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills The New York Times October 23, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/23/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-send-four-players-to-the-celtics-for-mills.html January 22, 2022 Associated Press Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills Los Angeles Times October 23, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-23-sp-45978-story.html October 3, 2022 Greenberg Alan One of Pitino's Slick Moves Hartford Courant October 23, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-23-9710230482-story.html December 27, 2022 The team also traded Massenburg to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for second-year forward Roy Rogers. Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack Associated Press October 28, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/50c38e4cc72f7dafe7848c91e29a9916 October 9, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20220627071035/https://apnews.com/article/50c38e4cc72f7dafe7848c91e29a9916 June 27, 2022 dead Gardner Kris Two Minor Deals Completed on October 28, 1997 The Houston Roundball Review October 28, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/102897twodeals.html October 9, 2026 The Celtics soon released Brooks to free agency as he later on signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in December. Cavs Sign Guard  The Vindicator  December 13, 1997  B10  https://books.google.com/books?id=O-VJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=1997+Cleveland+Cavaliers+signed+guard+scott+brooks&article_id=6560,8004172&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyxI6R262XAxUL4ckDHc-YEYMQ6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=1997%20Cleveland%20Cavaliers%20signed%20guard%20scott%20brooks&f=false October 9, 2026 Regular season In their regular season opener on October 31, 1997, and in their first game under Pitino, the Celtics faced off against All-Star guard Michael Jordan, and the 5-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls at home at the FleetCenter. Despite trailing 32–12 at the end of the first quarter, the Celtics defeated the Bulls by a score of 92–85, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,624 fans in attendance; the victory gave Pitino's career with the Celtics an auspicious beginning. Second-year star Antoine Walker contributed 31 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals, while Jordan led the Bulls with 30 points, but struggled only making 7 out of 23 field-goal attempts. Berkow Ira Pro Basketball: Pitino Begins Era by Beating Bulls The New York Times November 1, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/01/sports/pro-basketball-pitino-begins-era-by-beating-bulls.html July 26, 2017 Berkow Ira On Basketball: Pitino's Young Guns Overrun the Bulls The New York Times November 2, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/02/sports/on-basketball-pitino-s-young-guns-overrun-the-bulls.html December 12, 2022 Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics Box Score, October 31, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199710310BOS.html December 27, 2022 Under Pitino and with the addition of Mercer, Billups, McCarty, Knight and DeClercq, the Celtics struggled losing five of their first six games of the regular season, but then won six of their next seven games. The team held a 16–14 record as of January 3, 1998, but soon fell below .500 in winning percentage losing eight of their next nine games, and later on held a 22–25 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 At mid-season, the team traded Billups, Thomas, Rogers and Dee Brown to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kenny Anderson, Popeye Jones and Žan Tabak; 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 September 23, 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 the Raptors had acquired Anderson from the Portland Trail Blazers in a previous trade. 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 December 5, 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 December 5, 2022 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 Before the trade, Billups averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 51 games, while Brown contributed 6.8 points per game in 41 games. The Celtics posted a six-game losing streak in March, and finished in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a 36–46 record, which was a 21-game improvement over the previous season; however, the team failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs. 1997–98 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1998_games.html June 28, 2021 Walker averaged 22.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while Mercer averaged 15.3 points and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and Anderson provided the team with 11.2 points, 6.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 16 games after the trade. In addition, McCarty provided with 9.6 points and 1.3 steals per game, while Dana Barros contributed 9.8 points and 3.6 assists per game, and led the Celtics with 100 three-point field goals, and Knight averaged 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Bowen provided with 5.6 points and 1.4 steals per game, DeClercq averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and Greg Minor contributed 5.0 points per game. 1997–98 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1998.html June 28, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Walker was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever 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 November 27, 2021 Meanwhile, before the mid-season trade, Mercer and Billups were both selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as members of the Eastern 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 Walker finished in twelfth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and also finished tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Pitino finished tied in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html December 30, 2024 The Celtics finished tenth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 739,422 at the FleetCenter 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, Knight was traded back to his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, after only one season with the Celtics, Knight's Out Hartford Courant January 20, 1999 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1999-01-20-9901200298-story.html November 7, 2022 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 Edney, Tabak and Dontae' Jones were all released to free agency. Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 3 Chauncey Billups PG Colorado 1 6 Ron Mercer SF/SG Kentucky 2 56 Ben Pepper C Newcastle Falcons Roster Boston Celtics 1997–98 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 7 Kenny Anderson basketball G 6 0 168 1970–10–09 Georgia Tech 11 Dana Barros G 5 11 163 1967–04–13 Boston College 12 Bruce Bowen F 6 7 185 1971–06–14 Cal State Fullerton 45 Andrew DeClercq C 6 10 230 1973–02–01 Florida 20 Tyus Edney G 5 10 152 1973–02–14 UCLA 29 Pervis Ellison F 6 9 210 1967–04–03 Louisville 34 Reggie Hanson F 6 8 195 1968–10–06 Kentucky 13 Dontae' Jones F 6 8 220 1975–06–02 Mississippi State 4 Popeye Jones F 6 8 250 1970–06–17 Murray State IN 40 Travis Knight basketball C 7 0 235 1974–09–13 Connecticut 0 Walter McCarty F 6 10 230 1974–02–01 Kentucky 5 Ron Mercer G 6 7 210 1976–05–18 Kentucky 9 Greg Minor G 6 6 210 1971–09–18 Louisville 55 Žan Tabak C 7 0 245 1970–06–15 Croatia 8 Antoine Walker F 6 8 224 1976–08–12 Kentucky Rick Pitino Winston Bennett John Carroll Jim O'Brien (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1998.html April 14, 1998 Roster notes Power forward Popeye Jones was acquired by the Celtics from the Toronto Raptors in a mid-season trade, but was placed on the injured reserve list due to a season-ending left knee injury he sustained with the Raptors, and did not play for the Celtics this season. Raptors Lose Jones for Season  Record-Journal  December 3, 1997  20  https://books.google.com/books?id=bxhJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1997+Toronto+Raptors+popeye+jones+knee+injury&article_id=6096,303722&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGksrh0bqXAxVI3skDHXnnHEMQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=1997%20Toronto%20Raptors%20popeye%20jones%20knee%20injury&f=false October 14, 2026 Standard-Times  Daily Sports Capsule  South Coast Today  February 20, 1998  https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1998/02/21/daily-sports-capsule/50582791007/ September 22, 2026 Regular season Season standings BOS BOS Game log Player statistics Regular season Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kenny Anderson basketball† | 16 || 16 || 24.1 || .435 || .370 || .837 || 2.4 || 6.3 || 1.6 || .0 || 11.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dana Barros | 80 || 15 || 21.1 || .461 || .407 || .847 || 1.9 || 3.6 || 1.0 || .1 || 9.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Chauncey Billups† | 51 || 44 || 25.4 || .390 || .339 || .817 || 2.2 || 4.3 || 1.5 || .0 || 11.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Bruce Bowen | 61 || 9 || 21.4 || .409 || .339 || .623 || 2.9 || 1.3 || 1.4 || .5 || 5.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968† | 41 || 10 || 19.8 || .427 || .381 || .679 || 1.5 || 1.3 || 1.1 || .1 || 6.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Andrew DeClercq | 81 || 49 || 18.8 || .497 || .000 || .601 || 4.8 || .7 || 1.0 || .6 || 5.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tyus Edney | 52 || 7 || 12.0 || .431 || .300 || .793 || 1.1 || 2.7 || 1.0 || .0 || 5.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Pervis Ellison | 33 || 8 || 13.5 || .571 || || .588 || 3.3 || .9 || .6 || .9 || 3.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Reggie Hanson | 8 || 0 || 3.3 || .500 || || || .8 || .1 || .3 || .1 || .8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dontae' Jones | 15 || 0 || 6.1 || .333 || .261 || || .6 || .3 || .1 || .2 || 2.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Travis Knight basketball | 74 || 21 || 20.3 || .441 || .273 || .786 || 4.9 || 1.4 || .7 || 1.1 || 6.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Walter McCarty | 82 || 64 || 28.5 || .404 || .309 || .742 || 4.4 || 2.2 || 1.3 || .5 || 9.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ron Mercer | 80 || 62 || 33.3 || .450 || .107 || .839 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 1.6 || .2 || 15.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Greg Minor | 69 || 16 || 16.3 || .436 || .194 || .686 || 2.2 || 1.3 || .8 || .2 || 5.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Roy Rogers basketball† | 9 || 0 || 4.1 || .375 || || .500 || .6 || .1 || .2 || .4 || .8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Žan Tabak† | 18 || 5 || 12.9 || .473 || || .538 || 3.2 || .7 || .3 || .6 || 3.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Thomas basketball† | 33 || 2 || 11.2 || .513 || || .788 || 2.1 || .4 || .6 || .3 || 3.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Antoine Walker | 82 || 82 || 39.9 || .423 || .312 || .645 || 10.2 || 3.3 || 1.7 || .7 || 22.4 |} † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Celtics only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Ron Mercer, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team References See also 1997–98 NBA season Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics