1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Los Angeles Lakers' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th in the city of Los Angeles.[1] This season was mostly remembered for the Lakers signing free agent All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal to a seven-year, $120 million deal,[2][3][4][5][6] and acquiring high school basketball star Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets,[7][8][9][10][11] who selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft during the off-season.[12][13][14][15][16] The team also signed former Lakers guard Byron Scott from the "Showtime" era,[17][18][19] signed free agents Jerome Kersey,[20][21] and Sean Rooks,[22] and acquired rookie center Travis Knight from the Chicago Bulls.[23] In January, they traded Cedric Ceballos back to his former team, the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Robert Horry, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets.[24][25][26][27] The Lakers had the eighth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[28]

1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachDel Harris
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Jazz 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West
RadioKLAC

The Lakers played strong basketball as they had the best record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break with a 35–13 record,[29] but soon slipped out of first place finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 56–26 record.[30] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points per game, 12.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, but only played 51 games due to a knee injury.[31][32][33][34] He was also named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Eddie Jones averaged 17.2 points and 2.4 steals per game, while Nick Van Exel provided the team with 15.3 points and 8.5 assists per game, Elden Campbell contributed 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Kersey provided with 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.[35] O'Neal and Jones were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, but O'Neal did not play due to injury.[36][37][38][39][40][41] Off the bench, Bryant contributed 7.6 points per game, and Knight averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game; Bryant and Knight were both named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.[42][43][44]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in four games.[45][46][47][48] However, in the Western Conference Semi-finals, they lost in five games to regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.[49][50][51][52] The Jazz would reach the NBA Finals for the first time, but would lose to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.[53][54][55][56][57] Following the season, Scott went overseas and signed with the Greek Basket League giants Panathinaikos for the 1997–98 season,[58][59][60] while Kersey signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics,[61][62] and Knight signed with the Boston Celtics.[63]

One notable highlight of the season was the Lakers holding the Dallas Mavericks to just two points in the third quarter, in an 87–80 home win on April 6, 1997. It was the fewest points scored in a quarter of a game in NBA history.[64][65][66][67]

Draft picks
Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Derek Fisher Guard  United States Arkansas–Little Rock

Before he was chosen as the 13th overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, 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. He went on to state that Bryant's workouts against former Lakers players and then assistant coaches Michael Cooper, and Larry Drew were the best he had ever seen. Immediately after the draft, Bryant expressed that he did not wish to play for the Hornets and wanted to play for the Lakers instead.[68] Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant.[69]

Roster
1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 43 Blount, Corie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–01–04 Cincinnati
G 8 Bryant, Kobe 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978–08–23 Lower Merion HS
F 41 Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson
G 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974–08–09 Little Rock
F 5 Horry, Robert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
G 6 Jones, Eddie 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–10–20 Temple
F 12 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
C 40 Knight, Travis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–09–13 Connecticut
F 7 Krystkowiak, Larry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–09–23 Montana
F 24 McCloud, George Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1967–05–27 Florida State
C 34 O'Neal, Shaquille (C) 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
C 45 Rooks, Sean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1969–09–09 Arizona
G 4 Scott, Byron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
G 9 Van Exel, Nick 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1971–11–27 Cincinnati
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 24, 1997

Regular season

Kobe's rookie season

During his first season, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. Initially, he played limited minutes, but as the season continued, he began to see some more playing time. He earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan-favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. He averaged 7.6 points and 15.5 minutes per game in 71 games, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[70]

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 5725.695–31–1026–1516–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 5626.683131–1025–1618–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4933.598829–1220–2115–9
x-Phoenix Suns 4042.4881725–1615–2613–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers 3646.4392121–2015–2610–14
Sacramento Kings 3448.4152322–1912–298–16
Golden State Warriors 3052.3662718–2312–294–20
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Utah Jazz6418.780–
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics5725.6957
3 x-Houston Rockets5725.6957
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers5626.6838
5 x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.59815
6 x-Minnesota Timberwolves4042.48824
7 x-Phoenix Suns4042.48824
8 x-Los Angeles Clippers3646.43928
9 Sacramento Kings3448.41530
10 Golden State Warriors3052.36634
11 Dallas Mavericks2458.29340
12 Denver Nuggets2161.25643
13 San Antonio Spurs2062.24444
14 Vancouver Grizzlies1468.17150

Record vs. opponents
1996-97 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta –3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston 1–3–0–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte 3–14–0–0–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago 3–14–04–0–3–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland 1–32–11–31–3–2–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas 0–21–11–10–20–2–3–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver 1–11–10–20–21–11–3–0–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit 3–14–02–21–32–22–02–0–2–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State 0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–2–0–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston 1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–0–1–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana 1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–1–2–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers 0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–2–2–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–2–1–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami 2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–1–4–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee 0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–4–0–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota 0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–0–2–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey 1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–2–2–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York 3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–2–3–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando 1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–3–2–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia 0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–2–1–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix 1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–1–1–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland 0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–1–2–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento 0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–2–3–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio 0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–3–0–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle 1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–0–2–01–34–02–0
Toronto 0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–2–1–11–12–2
Utah 1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–1–4–02–0
Vancouver 0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–4–1–1
Washington 1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1—

Game log

Pre-season
1996 preseason game log
Total: 5–3
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 10 Denver W 111-101 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,225		 1-0
2 October 12 Denver W 105-96 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Derek Fisher (4) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,225		 2-0
3 October 16 Dallas W 90-80 Shaquille O'Neal (12) Corie Blount (9) 3 players tied (3) Selland Arena (Fresno, CA)
10,274		 3-0
4 October 18 Philadelphia W 113-92 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Jones & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
14,149		 4-0
5 October 19 Phoenix W 100-87 Nick Van Exel (19) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
15,054		 5-0
6 October 22 Houston L 114-116 Cedric Ceballos (26) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (9) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)
13,481		 5-1
7 October 23 Phoenix L 100-109 Byron Scott (25) Cedric Ceballos (9) Cedric Ceballos (4) McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
14,162		 5-2
8 October 25 Seattle L 94-99 Byron Scott (16) BSU Pavilion (Boise, ID) 5-3
1997 schedule

Regular season
1996–97 game log
Total: 56-26 (home: 31-10; road: 25–16)
November: 11–6 (home: 5–2; road: 6–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 November 1 Phoenix W 96-82 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1-0
2 November 3 Minnesota W 91-85 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
15,407		 2-0
3 November 5 @ New York W 98-92 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 3-0
4 November 6 @ Charlotte L 78-88 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (7) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042		 3-1
5 November 8 @ Toronto L 92-93 Jones & O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Campbell & Van Exel (4) SkyDome
27,357		 3-2
6 November 10 Atlanta W 92-85 Jones & O'Neal (19) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
16,097		 4-2
7 November 12 @ Houston W 126-115 (2OT) Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (14) The Summit
16,285		 5-2
8 November 13 @ San Antonio L 83-95 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Alamodome
26,002		 5-3
9 November 15 L.A. Clippers W 107-100 Eddie Jones (32) Elden Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (15) Great Western Forum
16,207		 6-3
10 November 17 @ Phoenix W 102-88 Eddie Jones (18) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (9) American West Arena
19,023		 7-3
11 November 19 @ Golden State W 112-109 Nick Van Exel (27) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (12) San Jose Arena
18,742		 8-3
12 November 20 Utah L 97-113 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
16,122		 8-4
13 November 22 San Antonio W 96-86 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (21) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 9-4
14 November 24 Houston L 85-90 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,505		 9-5
15 November 26 @ Philadelphia W 100-88 Jones & O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (20) Jones & Van Exel (6) CoreStates Center
20,652		 10-5
16 November 27 @ Boston L 94-110 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Fleet Center
18,624		 10-6
17 November 29 @ Detroit W 84-76 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 11-6
December: 11–3 (home: 8–0; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
18 December 1 Denver W 104-96 O'Neal & Van Exel (24) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Great Western Forum
15,684		 12-6
19 December 3 Seattle W 110-106 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Eddie Jones (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 13-6
20 December 4 @ Utah L 75-101 Shaquille O'Neal (21) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Derek Fisher (3) Delta Center
19,911		 13-7
21 December 6 Orlando W 92-81 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505		 14-7
22 December 8 Minnesota W 110-86 Nick Van Exel (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
15,212		 15-7
23 December 10 @ Sacramento W 92-90 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Derek Fisher (6) ARCO Arena
17,317		 16-7
24 December 11 Indiana W 79-76 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,139		 17-7
25 December 13 Portland W 120-119 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (15) Great Western Forum
16,315		 18-7
26 December 17 @ Chicago L 123-129 (OT) Nick Van Exel (36) Elden Campbell (14) Nick Van Exel (6) United Center
23,919		 18-8
27 December 18 @ Milwaukee W 111-105 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (11) Bradley Center
16,829		 19-8
28 December 21 @ Minnesota L 88-103 Nick Van Exel (22) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Nick Van Exel (9) Target Center
18,127		 19-9
29 December 25 @ Phoenix W 108-87 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (12) American West Arena
19,023		 20-9
30 December 27 Boston W 109-102 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Campbell & O'Neal (11) Jones & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505		 21-9
31 December 29 Philadelphia W 115-102 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Travis Knight (10) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505		 22-9
January: 11–3 (home: 6–2; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
32 January 2 @ Sacramento W 90-83 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (6) ARCO Arena
17,317		 23-9
33 January 3 Sacramento W 100-93 Elden Campbell (22) Elden Campbell (15) Derek Fisher (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 24-9
34 January 5 @ Vancouver W 95-82 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (23) General Motors Place
19,193		 25-9
35 January 6 @ Portland L 84-88 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (9) Rose Garden
21,538		 25-10
36 January 8 Charlotte W 101-97 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
16,980		 26-10
37 January 10 Miami W 94-85 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505		 27-10
38 January 14 Vancouver W 91-81 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Knight & O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
15,606		 28-10
39 January 16 Portland L 98-102 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,432		 28-11
40 January 18 Detroit L 97-100 (2OT) Kobe Bryant (21) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 28-12
41 January 20 Dallas W 109-99 Nick Van Exel (24) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,959		 29-12
42 January 24 Golden State W 114-97 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Travis Knight (15) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,505		 30-12
43 January 26 @ Seattle W 104-103 Nick Van Exel (25) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (6) KeyArena
17,072		 31-12
44 January 28 @ Dallas W 102-83 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Reunion Arena
18,042		 32-12
45 January 29 @ San Antonio W 99-92 Eddie Jones (23) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (12) Alamodome
25,570		 33-12
February: 6–6 (home: 3–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
46 February 2 Washington W 129-99 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Elden Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 34-12
47 February 4 @ L.A. Clippers L 86-108 Campbell & Van Exel (20) Travis Knight (7) Campbell & Van Exel (4) Arrowhead Pond
18,462		 34-13
48 February 5 Chicago W 106-90 Elden Campbell (34) Elden Campbell (14) Nick Van Exel (13) Great Western Forum
17,505		 35-13
All-Star Break
49 February 12 @ Minnesota W 100-84 Elden Campbell (21) Robert Horry (10) Robert Horry (8) Target Center
18,243		 36-13
50 February 13 @ Denver W 132-117 Nick Van Exel (30) Kersey & Rooks (6) Nick Van Exel (9) McNichols Sports Arena
16,713		 37-13
51 February 16 Seattle L 91-102 Eddie Jones (26) Elden Campbell (17) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505		 37-14
52 February 19 Cleveland L 84-103 Elden Campbell (23) Travis Knight (9) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
16,402		 37-15
53 February 21 Vancouver W 99-91 Campbell & Jones (23) Elden Campbell (12) Jones & Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,031		 38-15
54 February 23 New York L 121-127 (2OT) Elden Campbell (40) Travis Knight (13) Nick Van Exel (16) Great Western Forum
17,505		 38-16
55 February 25 @ Houston L 96-100 Elden Campbell (19) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (11) The Summit
16,285		 38-17
56 February 27 @ Washington W 122-107 Elden Campbell (38) Eddie Jones (8) Nick Van Exel (12) US Airways Arena
18,756		 39-17
57 February 28 @ Atlanta L 75-86 Eddie Jones (17) Elden Campbell (7) Eddie Jones (5) Omni Coliseum
16,378		 39-18
March: 9–5 (home: 4–2; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
58 March 2 @ Indiana L 85-101 Eddie Jones (28) Corie Blount (10) Nick Van Exel (9) Market Square Arena
16,711		 39-19
59 March 4 @ Dallas W 102-92 Nick Van Exel (37) Elden Campbell (10) 4 players tied (2) Reunion Arena
15,809		 40-19
60 March 7 Houston L 90-111 Campbell & Jones (17) Elden Campbell (7) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 40-20
61 March 9 New Jersey W 115-105 Eddie Jones (34) Eddie Jones (13) Fisher & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,103		 41-20
62 March 12 Golden State W 109-101 Elden Campbell (26) Corie Blount (15) Nick Van Exel (14) Great Western Forum
17,009		 42-20
63 March 14 L.A. Clippers L 95-97 Eddie Jones (22) Corie Blount (15) Nick Van Exel (13) Great Western Forum
17,505		 42-21
64 March 16 Toronto W 98-90 (OT) Eddie Jones (27) Jerome Kersey (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,839		 43-21
65 March 17 @ Denver W 113-94 Nick Van Exel (30) Blount & Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (9) McNichols Sports Arena
13,817		 44-21
66 March 20 @ Cleveland W 89-76 Eddie Jones (25) Corie Blount (12) Nick Van Exel (7) Gund Arena
18,818		 45-21
67 March 21 @ Miami L 97-98 Elden Campbell (24) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (11) Miami Arena
15,200		 45-22
68 March 23 @ Orlando L 84-110 Elden Campbell (16) Blount & Kersey (8) Nick Van Exel (6) Orlando Arena
17,248		 45-23
69 March 24 @ New Jersey W 109-84 Nick Van Exel (23) Travis Knight (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		 46-23
70 March 26 Milwaukee W 106-84 Elden Campbell (31) Corie Blount (14) 3 players tied (4) Great Western Forum
17,505		 47-23
71 March 27 @ Vancouver W 102-98 (OT) Elden Campbell (25) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (8) General Motors Place
18,722		 48-23
April: 8–3 (home: 5–1; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
72 April 1 @ Seattle W 99-97 Nick Van Exel (30) Blount & Kersey (11) Nick Van Exel (6) KeyArena
17,072		 49-23
73 April 2 Denver W 110-85 Eddie Jones (27) Corie Blount (13) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,141		 50-23
74 April 4 San Antonio L 83-94 Sean Rooks (20) Corie Blount (13) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505		 50-24
75 April 6 Dallas W 87-80 Derek Fisher (21) Sean Rooks (11) 3 players tied (5) Great Western Forum
17,364		 51-24
76 April 8 @ Golden State W 109-85 Kobe Bryant (24) Knight & Rooks (7) Derek Fisher (6) San Jose Arena
17,973		 52-24
77 April 9 @ Utah L 89-101 Eddie Jones (16) Elden Campbell (11) Derek Fisher (4) Delta Center
19,911		 52-25
78 April 11 Phoenix W 114-98 O'Neal & Van Exel (24) Horry & O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 53-25
79 April 13 Utah W 100-98 Shaquille O'Neal (39) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 54-25
80 April 17 Sacramento W 108-99 Shaquille O'Neal (42) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 55-25
81 April 18 @ L.A. Clippers W 123-95 Elden Campbell (21) Travis Knight (9) Nick Van Exel (10) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,094		 56-25
82 April 20 @ Portland L 96-100 Elden Campbell (29) Elden Campbell (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Rose Garden
21,538		 56-26
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs
1997 playoff game log
Total: 4–5 (home: 3–1; road: 1–4)
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 25 Portland W 95–77 Shaquille O'Neal (46) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–0
2 April 27 Portland W 107–93 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Eddie Jones (7) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 2–0
3 April 30 @ Portland L 90–98 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (12) O'Neal & Van Exel (4) Rose Garden
21,538		 2–1
4 May 2 @ Portland W 95–91 Campbell & O'Neal (27) 4 players tied (8) Jones & Van Exel (5) Rose Garden
21,538		 3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 4 @ Utah L 77–93 Nick Van Exel (23) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (4) Delta Center
19,911		 0–1
2 May 6 @ Utah L 101–103 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (12) Delta Center
19,911		 0–2
3 May 8 Utah W 104–84 Kobe Bryant (19) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–2
4 May 10 Utah L 95–110 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–3
5 May 12 @ Utah L 93–98 (OT) Nick Van Exel (26) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Delta Center
19,911		 1–4
1997 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shaquille O'Neal515138.1.557.000.48412.53.10.92.926.2
Eddie Jones808037.5.438.391.8194.13.42.40.617.2
Nick Van Exel797937.2.402.378.8252.98.50.90.115.3
Cedric Ceballos8834.9.410.238.8676.61.90.60.810.8
Elden Campbell777732.7.469.250.7118.01.60.61.514.9
Robert Horry221430.7.455.329.7005.42.51.71.39.2
Jerome Kersey704425.2.432.262.6025.21.31.70.76.8
Byron Scott79818.2.430.388.8411.51.30.60.26.7
Corie Blount581817.4.514.333.6754.80.60.40.44.2
Travis Knight711416.3.509-.6204.50.50.40.84.8
Kobe Bryant71615.5.417.375.8191.91.30.70.37.6
George McCloud23212.4.354.429.6671.60.70.40.04.1
Derek Fisher80311.5.397.301.6581.21.50.50.13.9
Sean Rooks69310.7.470.000.7002.40.60.20.63.8

Playoffs

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Corie Blount
Kobe Bryant
Elden Campbell
Derek Fisher
Robert Horry
Eddie Jones
Jerome Kersey
Travis Knight
Shaquille O'Neal
Sean Rooks
Byron Scott
Nick Van Exel

Awards and records

Transactions

References
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