Wikipedia

1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season

The 1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season was the tenth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Hornets signed free agents David Wesley,[2][3][4] and Bobby Phills,[5][6][7] and re-signed former Hornets forward J.R. Reid.[8][9] Early into the regular season, the team traded long-time Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues, and second-year guard Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for B. J. Armstrong, who won three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s.[10][11][12]

1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachDave Cowens
General managerBob Bass
OwnerGeorge Shinn
ArenaCharlotte Coliseum
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Central)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
RadioWBT
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

With the addition of Wesley and Phills, the Hornets won nine of their first twelve games of the regular season, and later on held a 29–18 record at the All-Star break.[13] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Vernon Maxwell, who was previously released by the Orlando Magic.[14] Despite injuries to Phills, Vlade Divac and long-time original Hornets guard Dell Curry, the Hornets had another stellar season by posting a 10-game winning streak between February and March, winning 15 of 16 games between February 21 and March 26, 1998. The Hornets finished in third place in the Central Division with a 51–31 record, earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for their fourth NBA playoff appearance.[15]

Glen Rice averaged 22.3 points per game, led the Hornets with 130 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Wesley averaged 13.0 points, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Anthony Mason provided the team with 12.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. In addition, Matt Geiger provided with 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while Phills contributed 10.4 points per game in 62 games, and Divac averaged 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 64 games. Off the bench, Curry contributed 9.4 points per game in only 52 games, while Maxwell contributed 6.8 points per game in 31 games, Reid averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, and Armstrong provided with 3.9 points and 2.3 assists per game.[16]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Rice was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his third and final All-Star appearance.[17][18][19] In addition, Rice participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth consecutive year,[20][21] and also participated in the inaugural NBA 2Ball Competition, along with Andrea Stinson of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting.[22][23] Rice also finished in eleventh place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Mason finished tied in ninth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Geiger finished tied in 13th place in Most Improved Player voting.[24]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Hornets faced off against the 5th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, a team that featured All-Star center, and Defensive Player of the Year, Dikembe Mutombo, All-Star guard Steve Smith, and Mookie Blaylock; Smith was Rice's former teammate on the Miami Heat. The Hornets won the first two games over the Hawks at home at the Charlotte Coliseum, before losing Game 3 on the road by a 32-point margin, 96–64 at the Georgia Dome.[25][26][27] The Hornets won Game 4 over the Hawks on the road, 91–82 to win the series in four games.[28][29][30]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who won the Central Division title, and were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman. The Hornets lost Game 1 to the Bulls on the road, 83–70 at the United Center,[31] but managed to win Game 2 on the road, 78–76 to even the series.[32][33][34] However, the Hornets lost their next two home games at the Charlotte Coliseum, before losing Game 5 to the Bulls at the United Center, 93–84, thus losing the series in five games.[35][36][37] The Bulls would go on to reach the 1998 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Utah Jazz in six games to win their third consecutive NBA championship, and sixth overall in eight years.[38][39][40]

The Hornets finished second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the Bulls, with an attendance of 959,634 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the regular season.[16][41] On November 25, 1997, the team's sellout streak would end at 364 consecutive games (371 including post-season contests); this was the second longest active sell-out streak at the time, behind the Bulls' 465.[42][43] Following the season, Divac and Maxwell both signed as free agents with the Sacramento Kings,[44][45][46] while Curry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after ten seasons with the Hornets,[46][47][48] and Geiger signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[49][50][51]

For the season, the Hornets added side panels and additional pinstripes to their uniforms, which would remain in use until 2002.[52][53] As of 2026, this was the last season in which the franchise won 50 or more games during the regular season.

Offseason

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NBA draft

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The Hornets had no draft picks in 1997.

Roster

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1997–98 Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 10 B. J. Armstrong 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1967–09–09 Iowa
G 15 Corey Beck 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–05–27 Arkansas
G 30 Dell Curry 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech
C 12 Vlade Divac 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia
C 52 Matt Geiger 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech
F 14 Anthony Mason 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–12–14 Tennessee State
G 11 Vernon Maxwell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–09–12 Florida
C 42 Michael McDonald 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1969–02–13 New Orleans
G 13 Bobby Phills 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1969–12–20 Southern
F 7 J.R. Reid 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 247 lb (112 kg) 1968–03–31 North Carolina
F 41 Glen Rice 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–05–28 Michigan
F 5 Donald Royal 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
G 4 David Wesley 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–11–14 Baylor
F 32 Travis Williams 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1969–05–27 South Carolina State
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: March 24, 1998

Regular season

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Season standings

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Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 6220.756–37–425–1621–7
x-Indiana Pacers 5824.707432–926–1519–9
x-Charlotte Hornets 5131.6221132–919–2216–12
x-Atlanta Hawks 5032.6101229–1221–2019–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 4735.5731527–1420–2114–14
Detroit Pistons 3745.4512525–1612–2912–16
Milwaukee Bucks 3646.4392621–2015–269–19
Toronto Raptors 1666.195469–327–342–26
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls6220.756–
2 y-Miami Heat5527.6717
3 x-Indiana Pacers5824.7074
4 x-Charlotte Hornets5131.62211
5 x-Atlanta Hawks5032.61012
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4735.57315
7 x-New York Knicks4339.52419
8 x-New Jersey Nets4339.52419
9 Washington Wizards4240.51220
10 Orlando Magic4141.50021
11 Detroit Pistons3745.45125
12 Boston Celtics3646.43926
13 Milwaukee Bucks3646.43926
14 Philadelphia 76ers3151.37831
15 Toronto Raptors1666.19546

Game log

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Playoffs

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1998 playoff game log
Total: 4–5 (home: 2–2; road: 2–3)
First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 23 Atlanta W 97–87 Glen Rice (34) Divac, Mason (7) David Wesley (12) Charlotte Coliseum
19,176		 1–0
2 April 25 Atlanta W 92–85 Anthony Mason (25) Glen Rice (13) Divac, Wesley (6) Charlotte Coliseum
20,390		 2–0
3 April 28 @ Atlanta L 64–96 Anthony Mason (12) Vlade Divac (7) Divac, Wesley (5) Georgia Dome
19,745		 2–1
4 May 1 @ Atlanta W 91–82 Anthony Mason (29) Anthony Mason (14) David Wesley (10) Georgia Dome
22,074		 3–1
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 3 @ Chicago L 70–83 Glen Rice (25) Vlade Divac (14) David Wesley (9) United Center
23,844		 0–1
2 May 6 @ Chicago W 78–76 Mason, Curry (15) Vlade Divac (19) Mason, Rice (4) United Center
23,844		 1–1
3 May 8 Chicago L 89–103 Glen Rice (31) Vlade Divac (13) David Wesley (8) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799		 1–2
4 May 10 Chicago L 80–94 Vlade Divac (15) Glen Rice (9) Anthony Mason (5) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799		 1–3
5 May 13 @ Chicago L 84–93 Glen Rice (30) Vlade Divac (15) three players tied (5) United Center
23,844		 1–4
1998 schedule

Player statistics

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Regular season

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Glen RiceSF 82823,29535318277221,82640.24.32.2.9.322.3
David WesleyPG 81812,845213529140301,05435.12.66.51.7.413.0
Anthony MasonPF 81803,14882634268181,03938.910.24.2.8.212.8
J. R. ReidPF 7911,10921051351938414.02.7.6.4.24.9
Matt GeigerC 78421,83952178688788523.66.71.0.91.111.3
Vlade DivacC 64411,805518172839466728.28.12.71.31.510.4
Bobby PhillsSG 62611,887216187811864230.43.53.01.3.310.4
B. J. Armstrong†PG 6207726914425024412.51.12.3.4.03.9
Corey BeckPG 5914738909833719112.51.51.7.6.13.2
Dell CurrySG 5219711016931449018.71.91.3.6.19.4
Travis WilliamsSF 39036592201851369.42.4.5.5.13.5
Vernon Maxwell†SG 310467444014321015.11.41.3.5.16.8
Donald Royal†SF 2953053716617410.51.3.6.2.02.6
Tony FarmerC 272169325104676.31.2.2.4.12.5
Tony Delk†PG 30342300811.3.71.0.0.02.7
Muggsy Bogues†PG 2016142068.0.52.01.0.03.0
Jeff Grayer†SG 10110100011.0.01.0.0.0.0
Michael McDonaldC 104100004.01.0.0.0.0.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only.

Playoffs

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Glen RiceSF 9936951135320541.05.71.4.6.322.8
Anthony MasonPF 9936771318013940.87.93.4.9.015.4
Vlade DivacC 99345983171410438.310.93.4.81.611.6
David WesleyPG 992851860709031.72.06.7.8.010.0
Bobby PhillsSG 9926923241025729.92.62.71.1.26.3
Dell CurrySG 901711910735219.02.11.1.8.35.8
B. J. ArmstrongPG 901461018603716.21.12.0.7.04.1
J. R. ReidPF 90114202323012.72.2.2.3.23.3
Corey BeckPG 60261040154.3.2.0.7.02.5
Donald RoyalSF 4028410097.01.0.3.0.02.3
Matt GeigerC 4022510025.51.3.3.0.0.5
Travis WilliamsSF 4018501154.51.3.0.3.31.3

Awards and records

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Transactions

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  • July 1, 1997

Released Rafael Addison.

Signed David Wesley as a free agent.

  • July 16, 1997

Signed J.R. Reid as a free agent.

  • August 19, 1997

Signed Bobby Phills as a free agent.

Released Malik Rose.

Waived Ricky Pierce.

  • September 10, 1997

Signed Tony Farmer as a free agent.

Signed Travis Williams as a free agent.

  • October 2, 1997

Signed Corey Beck as a free agent.

  • November 7, 1997

Traded Muggsy Bogues and Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors for B. J. Armstrong.

  • January 16, 1998

Signed Donald Royal to the first of two 10-day contracts.

  • January 22, 1998

Signed Michael McDonald as a free agent.

  • February 2, 1998

Signed Jeff Grayer to a 10-day contract.

Signed Vernon Maxwell to a 10-day contract.

  • February 4, 1998

Signed Donald Royal to a contract for the rest of the season.

  • February 13, 1998

Signed Vernon Maxwell to a contract for the rest of the season.

  • March 24, 1998

Waived Tony Farmer.

Player Transactions Citation:[54]

References

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  1. ↑ 1997-98 Charlotte Hornets
  2. ↑ "Hornets Get Wesley, a Free Agent". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 2, 1997. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  3. ↑ "The Charlotte Hornets Signed Free Agent Point..." Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. July 2, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ Nowell, Paul (July 2, 1997). "Expendable Wesley to Hornets". South Coast Today. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hornets Sign Phills". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 20, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Hornets Complete Renovation of Backcourt by Signing Phills". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 20, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Hornets Sign Phills". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 20, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ↑ Macenka, Joe (July 16, 1997). "Reid Gets Second Shot in Charlotte; J.R. Reid Is Again a Charlotte Hornet, This Time as a Backup for Anthony Mason". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Reid Back with Hornets". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 17, 1997. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  10. ↑ "PRO BASKETBALL; Bogues Is Traded". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 8, 1997. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Hornets Swap Bogues, Delk for Armstrong". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 8, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ Steele, David (November 8, 1997). "Unhappy Armstrong Shipped to Charlotte". SFGate. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  13. ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  14. ↑ "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Newly Signed Maxwell Delivers When It Counts". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 4, 1998. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  16. 1 2 "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  17. ↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 28, 1998). "Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  18. ↑ "1998 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  19. ↑ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  20. ↑ "NBA Long-Distance Shootout Roster". Record-Journal. January 21, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  21. ↑ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  22. ↑ Withers, Tom (February 8, 1998). "Cooper, Drexler Win 2Ball Contest". The Day. p. G4. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ Bender, Patricia. "1997–98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York". Eskimo.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  24. ↑ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Hot Hawks Handle Hapless Hornets". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 29, 1998. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ "SuperSonics Facing Elimination Again". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1998. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ "1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, April 28, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Mason Leads Charge as Hornets Top Hawks". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1998. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Mason Has 29 Points as Hornets Advance". The Washington Post. May 2, 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  30. ↑ "1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Hornets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "1998 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, May 3, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  32. ↑ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Charlotte Stuns Chicago as Reserves Take Over". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1998. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  33. ↑ Bembry, Jerry (May 7, 1998). "Hornets Steal One From Bulls, 78-76 Controlling Jordan, Charlotte Ties Series". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  34. ↑ "1998 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2: Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, May 6, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  35. ↑ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Bulls Finish Off Charlotte to Advance". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 14, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  36. ↑ "It's Bulls vs. Pacers for Title in East". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 14, 1998. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  37. ↑ "1998 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hornets vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  38. ↑ Araton, Harvey (June 15, 1998). "Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  39. ↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1998). "A Rousing Six-cess". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  40. ↑ "1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  41. ↑ "1997–98 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Charlotte's Sellout Streak Ends at 364 Games". Associated Press. November 25, 1997. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  43. ↑ "The Houston Rockets, Who Will Be Without..." Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 26, 1997. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Kings Sign Center Vlade Divac". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. January 22, 1999. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Around the NBA". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. January 23, 1999. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  46. 1 2 "NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Bucks Add Veteran Curry". United Press International. January 23, 1999. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Bucks' Victory Will Cost Karl Dinner Money". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 1, 1999. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  49. ↑ Adande, J.A. (January 30, 1999). "Geiger Counter Is Off". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  50. ↑ Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  51. ↑ "NBA Atlantic Division Capsules". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  54. ↑ "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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