Record 51–31 (.622) | ||
Playoff finish Conference Semifinals(Eliminated 1–4) | ||
The 1997–98 NBA season was the Hornets' tenth season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Hornets signed free agents David Wesley and Bobby Phills, while re-signing former Hornets forward J.R. Reid. Early into the season, they traded Muggsy Bogues to the Golden State Warriors for B.J. Armstrong. The Hornets had another stellar season posting a ten-game winning streak between February and March, as they finished the season third in the Central Division with a 51–31 record, and qualified for their fourth Playoff appearance. Glen Rice led them with 22.3 points per game, and made his third and final All-Star appearance in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. In the playoffs, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks 3–1 in the first round, but were eliminated 4–1 by the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Semifinals, despite winning Game 2 at the United Center 78–76.
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The Hornets finished second the NBA in attendance for the season. 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 Chicago Bulls' 465. Following the season, Vlade Divac signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings, Matt Geiger signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, and long-time original Hornet Dell Curry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA Draft
The Hornets had no draft picks in 1997.
Awards and records
Transactions
Released Rafael Addison.
Signed David Wesley as a free agent.
Signed J.R. Reid as a free agent.
Signed Bobby Phills as a free agent.
Released Malik Rose.
Waived Ricky Pierce.
Signed Tony Farmer as a free agent.
Signed Travis Williams as a free agent.
Signed Corey Beck as a free agent.
Traded Muggsy Bogues and Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors for B.J. Armstrong.
Signed Donald Royal to the first of two 10-day contracts.
Signed Michael McDonald as a free agent.
Signed Jeff Grayer to a 10-day contract.
Signed Vernon Maxwell to a 10-day contract.
Signed Donald Royal to a contract for the rest of the season.
Signed Vernon Maxwell to a contract for the rest of the season.
Waived Tony Farmer.