1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Lakers' 50th season in the National Basketball Association, and 38th in the city of Los Angeles.[1] During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents Rick Fox,[2][3][4] and three-point specialist Jon Barry.[5] Second-year shooting guard, and last season's Slam Dunk champion Kobe Bryant emerged as a star in his second season, playing an increased role as the team's sixth man, averaging 15.4 points per game off the bench, while being selected to start in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game at the age of 19, which was his first ever All-Star appearance;[6][7][8][9] Bryant scored 18 points in 22 minutes, as the Western Conference lost to the Eastern Conference, 135–114.[10][11][12] Joining him on the Western Conference All-Star roster were teammates Shaquille O'Neal, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel.[13][14][15][16][17] Bryant also finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting behind Danny Manning of the Phoenix Suns.[18][19][20]

1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachDel Harris
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record61–21 (.744)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishWestern Conference finals
(lost to Jazz 0–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West
RadioKLAC

The Lakers got off to a fast start to the season winning their first eleven games,[21] before losing O'Neal to a strained stomach muscle that forced him to sit out 20 games.[22][23][24][25] In his absence, the Lakers went 13–7. In January, Van Exel went down with a knee injury missing 18 games,[26][27][28] and was replaced with second-year guard Derek Fisher as the team's starting point guard for the remainder of the season.[29] The Lakers held a 34–11 record at the All-Star break,[30] and won 22 of their final 25 games to tie the Pacific Division title with the Seattle SuperSonics with a 61–21 record.[31] It was the Lakers' best record since the 1989–90 season.

O'Neal averaged 28.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[32][33] In addition, Jones averaged 16.9 points and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Van Exel provided the team with 13.8 points and 6.9 assists per game, and Fox contributed 12.0 points per game. Robert Horry averaged 7.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, while Elden Campbell provided with 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game off the bench, and Fisher contributed 5.8 points and 4.1 assists per game.[34]

In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round for the second consecutive year,[35][36][37][38] then after losing Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-finals to the 2nd–seeded SuperSonics, 106–92 at Seattle,[39][40][41] the Lakers would win the next four games, thus the series.[42][43][44][45] However, in the Western Conference finals, they were swept by the top-seeded Utah Jazz in four straight games.[46][47][48][49] The Jazz would go on to lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals for the second straight year.[50][51][52][53][54]

Following the season, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets after feuding with head coach Del Harris,[55][56][57][58] and Barry signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.[59][60]

Draft picks
Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 52 DeJuan Wheat PG  United States Louisville
2 54 Paul Rogers C  Australia Gonzaga

Roster
1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 20 Barry, Jon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1969–07–25 Georgia Tech
F 23 Bennett, Mario 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1973–08–01 Arizona State
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
C 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 17 Fox, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–07–24 North Carolina
F 5 Horry, Robert 6 ft 10 in (2.08 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
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 24 Seals, Shea Injured 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1975–08–26 Tulsa
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: October 20, 1997

Regular season

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 6121.744–35–626–1519–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 6121.744 –33–828–1316–8
x-Phoenix Suns 5626.683530–1126–1517–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4636.5611526–1520–2114–10
Sacramento Kings 2755.3293421–206–356–18
Golden State Warriors 1963.2324212–297–346–18
Los Angeles Clippers 1765.2074411–306–356–18
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz6220.756–
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics6121.7441
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers6121.7441
4 x-Phoenix Suns5626.6836
5 x-San Antonio Spurs5626.6836
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4636.56116
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves4537.54917
8 x-Houston Rockets4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings2755.32935
10 Dallas Mavericks2062.24442
11 Vancouver Grizzlies1963.23243
11 Golden State Warriors1963.23243
13 Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745
14 Denver Nuggets1171.13451

Record vs. opponents
1997-98 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 –2–14–01–34–02–02–02–22–01–11–32–00–21–33–10–21–22–22–23–10–21–12–01–11–14–00–22–04–0
Boston 1–2–1–21–31–31–11–12–21–11–10–42–01–10–42–21–12–22–22–23–10–21–11–10–21–13–00–22–03–2
Charlotte 0–42–1–1–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–01–13–13–11–12–21–33–12–11–12–01–11–11–14–01–12–02–2
Chicago 3–13–13–1–2–21–12–03–12–02–02–22–01–12–14–01–14–04–03–12–11–11–12–02–01–14–00–22–03–1
Cleveland 0–43–12–22–2–1–12–03–12–01–12–22–01–11–32–22–03–11–22–23–12–01–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–2
Dallas 0–21–10–21–11–1–3–10–21–30–41–11–30–40–20–22–20–21–10–20–20–40–40–40–42–21–10–44–01–1
Denver 0–21–10–20–20–21–3–0–21–30–40–22–20–40–20–21–30–20–20–20–20–42–21–30–40–40–20–41–31–1
Detroit 2–22–21–31–31–32–02–0–2–01–11–32–00–21–22–20–22–22–21–23–11–10–21–11–10–24–00–20–22–2
Golden State 0–21–11–10–20–23–13–10–2–1–30–21–31–30–20–20–40–21–11–10–20–41–32–21–31–30–20–41–30–2
Houston 1–11–10–20–21–14–04–01–13–1–1–14–01–30–21–11–31–11–10–21–11–31–34–02–21–32–00–43–11–1
Indiana 3–14–01–32–22–21–12–03–12–01–1–2–00–23–14–02–02–12–13–14–01–11–12–00–20–24–01–12–04–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–20–20–23–12–20–23–10–40–2–0–40–20–20–41–10–20–21–10–40–43–11–30–41–11–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–11–11–11–14–04–02–03–13–12–04–0–1–12–04–01–11–11–10–22–22–24–04–01–32–03–14–01–1
Miami 3–14–01–31–23–12–02–02–12–02–01–32–01–1–3–11–13–12–23–14–00–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–02–2
Milwaukee 1–32–21–30–42–22–02–02–22–01–10–42–00–21–3–1–10–43–12–12–20–22–02–00–21–13–10–21–11–2
Minnesota 2–01–11–11–10–22–23–12–04–03–10–24–00–41–11–1–2–01–10–22–03–11–33–11–31–31–11–34–00–2
New Jersey 2–12–22–20–41–32–02–02–22–01–11–21–11–11–34–00–2–2–23–13–11–11–12–01–10–23–10–22–01–3
New York 2–22–23–10–42–11–12–02–21–11–11–22–01–12–21–31–12–2–4–02–22–01–11–10–21–13–10–22–01–3
Orlando 2–22–21–31–32–22–02–02–11–12–01–32–01–11–31–22–01–30–4–4–00–22–00–20–21–13–10–22–03–1
Philadelphia 1–31–31–21–21–32–02–01–32–01–10–41–12–00–42–20–21–32–20–4–1–11–11–10–20–22–20–22–03–1
Phoenix 2–02–01–11–10–24–04–01–14–03–11–14–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–1–2–23–13–12–22–01–34–01–1
Portland 1–11–10–21–11–14–02–22–03–13–11–14–02–20–20–23–11–11–10–21–12–2–3–12–20–42–03–12–21–1
Sacramento 0–21–11–10–20–24–03–11–12–20–40–21–30–40–20–21–30–21–12–01–11–31–3–0–41–31–12–22–21–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–10–22–04–04–01–13–12–22–03–10–42–02–03–11–12–02–02–01–32–24–0–2–22–01–34–01–1
Seattle 1–11–11–11–12–02–24–02–03–13–12–04–03–12–01–13–12–01–11–12–02–24–03–12–2–2–02–24–01–1
Toronto 0–40–30–40–41–31–12–00–42–00–20–41–10–20–41–31–11–31–31–32–20–20–21–10–20–2–0–21–10–3
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–14–04–02–04–04–01–13–11–31–12–03–12–02–02–02–03–11–32–23–12–22–0–4–00–2
Vancouver 0–20–20–20–20–20–43–12–03–11–30–23–10–40–21–10–40–20–20–20–20–42–22–20–40–41–10–4–1–1
Washington 0–42–32–21–32–11–11–12–22–01–10–42–01–12–22–12–03–13–11–31–31–11–11–11–11–13–02–01–1—

Game log

Preseason
1997 preseason game log
Total: 6–2 (home: 6–0; road: 0–2)
Preseason: 6–2 (home: 6–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 9 Denver W 135-102 Kobe Bryant (31) Corie Blount (7) Jon Barry (6) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)
10,754		 1-0
2 October 10 @ Phoenix L 91-93 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Shaquille O'Neal (4) American West Arena
19,023		 1-1
3 October 17 L.A. Clippers W 116-85 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Fisher & Van Exel (5) Kiel Center (St. Louis, MO)
17,398		 2-1
4 October 18 Cleveland W 117-107 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Rick Fox (7) Great Western Forum
18,123		 3-1
5 October 21 @ Denver L 92-101 Bryant & Campbell (15) Mario Bennett (11) Kobe Bryant (4) McNichols Sports Arena
7,121		 3-2
6 October 22 Washington W 124-113 (OT) Elden Campbell (33) Elden Campbell (13) Barry & Horry (4) Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
10,771		 4-2
7 October 24 Atlanta W 93-89 Rick Fox (18) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
11,814		 5-2
8 October 25 Seattle W 85-79 Nick Van Exel (15) Corie Blount (9) Derek Fisher (5) Great Western Forum
13,862		 6-2
1997–98 schedule

Regular season
1997–98 game log
Total: 61-21 (home: 33-8; road: 28–13)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 31 Utah W 104-87 Kobe Bryant (23) Robert Horry (13) Horry & Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
16,234		 1-0
November: 12–2 (home: 6–0; road: 6–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
2 November 4 @ Sacramento W 101-98 Eddie Jones (35) Corie Blount (7) Nick Van Exel (6) ARCO Arena
17,317		 2-0
3 November 7 New York W 99-94 Horry & O'Neal (17) Robert Horry (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 3-0
4 November 9 Golden State W 132-97 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Derek Fisher (10) Great Western Forum
14,623		 4-0
5 November 11 @ Dallas W 118-96 Shaquille O'Neal (37) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Robert Horry (9) Reunion Arena
13,722		 5-0
6 November 13 @ San Antonio W 109-100 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Eddie Jones (7) Alamodome
20,557		 6-0
7 November 14 @ Houston W 113-103 (2OT) Nick Van Exel (35) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Compaq Center
16,285		 7-0
8 November 16 Vancouver W 121-95 Eddie Jones (28) Robert Horry (12) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,139		 8-0
9 November 18 @ Utah W 97-92 Bryant & Van Exel (19) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (5) Delta Center
19,911		 9-0
10 November 19 Minnesota W 118-93 Eddie Jones (31) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Derek Fisher (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 10-0
11 November 23 L.A. Clippers W 119-102 Eddie Jones (28) Corie Blount (9) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505		 11-0
12 November 25 @ Miami L 86-103 Nick Van Exel (21) 3 players tied (7) Eddie Jones (6) Miami Arena
15,200		 11-1
13 November 26 @ Boston W 118-103 Elden Campbell (22) Robert Horry (9) Nick Van Exel (9) Fleet Center
18,624		 12-1
14 November 28 @ Philadelphia L 95-105 Bryant & Campbell (19) Robert Horry (9) Nick Van Exel (6) CoreStates Center
20,714		 12-2
15 November 30 Toronto W 105-99 Eddie Jones (32) Blount & Horry (8) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
14,940		 13-2
December: 10–5 (home: 5–2; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
16 December 3 @ Denver W 107-89 Elden Campbell (25) Elden Campbell (12) Kobe Bryant (5) McNichols Sports Arena
14,503		 14-2
17 December 5 San Antonio W 98-88 Nick Van Exel (25) Corie Blount (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 15-2
18 December 7 Cleveland L 84-94 Kobe Bryant (21) Robert Horry (10) Nick Van Exel (4) Great Western Forum
16,945		 15-3
19 December 8 @ Portland L 99-105 Nick Van Exel (24) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (12) Rose Garden
20,721		 15-4
20 December 10 @ Golden State L 92-93 Kobe Bryant (20) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (8) The Arena in Oakland
13,414		 15-5
21 December 12 Houston W 119-102 Rick Fox (30) Robert Horry (8) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505		 16-5
22 December 14 Dallas W 119-89 Kobe Bryant (30) Elden Campbell (8) Fisher & Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
15,893		 17-5
23 December 16 @ Minnesota W 109-96 Eddie Jones (32) 4 players tied (6) Nick Van Exel (14) Target Center
16,874		 18-5
24 December 17 @ Chicago L 83-104 Kobe Bryant (33) Robert Horry (6) Nick Van Exel (5) United Center
24,119		 18-6
25 December 19 @ Atlanta W 98-96 Kobe Bryant (19) Robert Horry (8) Nick Van Exel (7) Georgia Dome
25,288		 19-6
26 December 20 @ Charlotte W 109-100 Nick Van Exel (24) Corie Blount (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042		 20-6
27 December 22 @ Houston W 94-83 Kobe Bryant (19) Elden Campbell (14) Nick Van Exel (10) Compaq Center
16,285		 21-6
28 December 26 L.A. Clippers W 118-114 (OT) Nick Van Exel (30) Elden Campbell (11) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,505		 22-6
29 December 28 Boston L 102-108 Rick Fox (27) 3 players tied (9) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
17,505		 22-7
30 December 30 Sacramento W 93-80 Elden Campbell (23) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
16,283		 23-7
January: 9–4 (home: 6–3; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
31 January 2 Atlanta W 116-106 Eddie Jones (23) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (13) Great Western Forum
17,505		 24-7
32 January 4 Philadelphia L 107-113 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 24-8
33 January 6 @ Vancouver W 100-87 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (7) General Motors Place
15,837		 25-8
34 January 7 Milwaukee W 114-102 Shaquille O'Neal (38) Horry & O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (18) Great Western Forum
15,483		 26-8
35 January 9 @ L.A. Clippers W 125-115 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Elden Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (5) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,067		 27-8
36 January 11 Charlotte L 93-98 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Eddie Jones (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 27-9
37 January 14 Denver W 132-114 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Derek Fisher (13) Great Western Forum
15,067		 28-9
38 January 17 Miami W 108-99 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (4) Great Western Forum
17,505		 29-9
39 January 19 Orlando W 92-89 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Robert Horry (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 30-9
40 January 21 @ Phoenix W 119-109 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (6) American West Arena
19,023		 31-9
41 January 24 @ Seattle L 95-101 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (8) KeyArena
17,072		 31-10
42 January 28 New Jersey L 95-106 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
15,643		 31-11
43 January 30 Minnesota W 121-114 Rick Fox (30) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Derek Fisher (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 32-11
February: 7–5 (home: 4–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
44 February 1 Chicago W 112-87 Rick Fox (25) Corie Blount (13) Blount & Fisher (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 33-11
45 February 4 Portland W 122-115 Eddie Jones (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
15,389		 34-11
All-Star Break
46 February 10 @ Portland L 105-117 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Barry & Fox (6) Rose Garden
21,538		 34-12
47 February 11 Golden State W 105-99 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (14) Great Western Forum
14,674		 35-12
48 February 13 Seattle L 108-113 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (44) Robert Horry (14) Eddie Jones (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 35-13
49 February 15 Houston L 88-90 3 players tied (18) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 35-14
50 February 18 @ Phoenix L 103-110 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Derek Fisher (5) American West Arena
19,023		 35-15
51 February 19 Denver W 131-92 Rick Fox (22) Mario Bennett (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Great Western Forum
15,159		 36-15
52 February 22 @ Orlando L 94-96 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Fisher & Fox (5) Orlando Arena
17,238		 36-16
53 February 24 @ Milwaukee W 98-81 Shaquille O'Neal (21) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Derek Fisher (6) Bradley Center
18,717		 37-16
54 February 25 @ Indiana W 96-89 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Horry & O'Neal (9) Derek Fisher (6) Market Square Arena
16,726		 38-16
55 February 27 @ Minnesota W 104-91 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Robert Horry (8) Derek Fisher (8) Target Center
20,197		 39-16
March: 13–4 (home: 8–0; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
56 March 1 @ New York L 89-101 Shaquille O'Neal (19) Robert Horry (12) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 39-17
57 March 2 @ Washington L 86-96 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Derek Fisher (10) MCI Center
20,674		 39-18
58 March 4 Indiana W 104-95 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Derek Fisher (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 40-18
59 March 6 San Antonio W 91-84 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Elden Campbell (7) Fisher & Fox (5) Great Western Forum
17,505		 41-18
60 March 8 Detroit W 96-89 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Derek Fisher (11) Great Western Forum
17,505		 42-18
61 March 11 Portland W 121-107 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Elden Campbell (11) Derek Fisher (10) Great Western Forum
16,758		 43-18
62 March 12 @ L.A. Clippers W 108-85 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Robert Horry (14) Rick Fox (5) Arrowhead Pond
18,521		 44-18
63 March 15 @ Vancouver W 119-110 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Robert Horry (13) 3 players tied (6) General Motors Place
18,983		 45-18
64 March 16 @ Seattle L 89-101 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Fox & Jones (4) KeyArena
17,072		 45-19
65 March 18 Phoenix W 99-93 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (22) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 46-19
66 March 20 Seattle W 93-80 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Rick Fox (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 47-19
67 March 22 @ Sacramento W 96-93 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Robert Horry (14) Nick Van Exel (5) ARCO Arena
17,317		 48-19
68 March 23 @ Denver W 107-86 Eddie Jones (27) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (6) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171		 49-19
69 March 25 Sacramento W 114-91 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
16,634		 50-19
70 March 28 @ Utah L 91-106 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Robert Horry (7) Nick Van Exel (6) Delta Center
19,911		 50-20
71 March 29 Washington W 116-89 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Derek Fisher (9) Great Western Forum
17,505		 51-20
72 March 31 @ Toronto W 114-105 Rick Fox (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Derek Fisher (7) Maple Leaf Gardens
16,086		 52-20
April: 9–1 (home: 3–1; road: 6–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
73 April 2 @ New Jersey W 117-106 Shaquille O'Neal (50) Robert Horry (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		 53-20
74 April 3 @ Cleveland W 105-93 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (6) Gund Arena
20,562		 54-20
75 April 5 @ Detroit W 105-103 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (35) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (4) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 55-20
76 April 8 Vancouver W 113-102 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Corie Blount (15) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 56-20
77 April 10 Phoenix L 105-114 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Mario Bennett (14) Fox & Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 56-21
78 April 11 @ Golden State W 96-84 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Rick Fox (6) The Arena in Oakland
19,821		 57-21
79 April 13 @ San Antonio W 99-75 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Derek Fisher (6) Alamodome
26,783		 58-21
80 April 14 @ Dallas W 111-95 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Robert Horry (13) Derek Fisher (9) Reunion Arena
18,107		 59-21
81 April 17 Dallas W 124-95 Shaquille O'Neal (43) Robert Horry (10) Derek Fisher (10) Great Western Forum
17,505		 60-21
82 April 19 Utah W 102-98 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 61-21
1997–98 schedule

Playoffs
1998 playoff game log
Total: 7–6 (home: 4–2; road: 3–4)
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 24 Portland W 104–102 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Jones & O'Neal (7) Robert Horry (5) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–0
2 April 26 Portland W 108–99 Rick Fox (24) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Derek Fisher (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 2–0
3 April 28 @ Portland L 94–99 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Robert Horry (7) Rose Garden
21,558		 2–1
4 April 30 @ Portland W 110–99 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (7) Rose Garden
21,558		 3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (home: 2–0; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 4 @ Seattle L 92–106 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Rick Fox (10) KeyArena
17,072		 0–1
2 May 6 @ Seattle W 92–68 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Horry & O'Neal (10) Derek Fisher (7) KeyArena
17,072		 1–1
3 May 8 Seattle W 119–103 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Derek Fisher (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 2–1
4 May 10 Seattle W 112–100 Shaquille O'Neal (39) Shaquille O'Neal (8) O'Neal & Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 3–1
5 May 12 @ Seattle W 110–95 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Robert Horry (11) Derek Fisher (6) KeyArena
17,072		 4–1
Conference finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 16 @ Utah L 77–112 Shaquille O'Neal (19) Corie Blount (9) Nick Van Exel (3) Delta Center
19,911		 0–1
2 May 18 @ Utah L 95–99 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Corie Blount (10) Rick Fox (7) Delta Center
19,911		 0–2
3 May 22 Utah L 98–109 Shaquille O'Neal (39) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505		 0–3
4 May 24 Utah L 92–96 Shaquille O'Neal (38) Robert Horry (8) Eddie Jones (6) Great Western Forum
17,505		 0–4
1998 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

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

Regular season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jon Barry 4917.6.365.295.9310.81.00.50.12.5
Mario Bennett 4547.9.593.500.3642.80.40.40.23.9
Corie Blount 70314.7.572.000.5004.30.50.40.43.6
Kobe Bryant 79126.0.428.341.7943.12.50.90.515.4
Elden Campbell 812822.0.463.500.6935.61.00.41.310.1
Derek Fisher 823621.5.434.383.7572.44.10.90.15.8
Rick Fox 828233.0.471.325.7434.43.41.20.612.0
Robert Horry 727130.4.476.204.6927.52.31.61.37.4
Eddie Jones 808036.4.484.389.7653.83.12.00.716.9
Shaquille O'Neal 605736.3.584..52711.42.40.72.428.3
Sean Rooks 41110.4.455..5952.90.60.00.63.4
Shea Seals 402.3.125.000.5001.0.0.3.1.0
Nick Van Exel 644632.1.419.389.7912.56.91.00.113.8

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jon Barry
Mario Bennett
Corie Blount
Kobe Bryant
Elden Campbell
Derek Fisher
Rick Fox
Robert Horry
Eddie Jones
Shaquille O'Neal
Sean Rooks
Nick Van Exel

Awards and records

Awards

All-Star

Weekly and monthly
  • Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Week for games played from November 9 through November 15.
  • Eddie Jones was named NBA Player of the Month for November.
  • Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Month for January.
  • Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Week for games played from March 15 to March 21.
  • Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Player of the Month for April.
  • Del Harris was named NBA Coach of the Month for April.

Transactions

References
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