Head coach Chuck Daly Record 41–41 (.500) Television Sunshine Network, WKCF | Arena Orlando Arena Playoff finish DNQ | |
Place Division: 5th (Atlantic)
Conference: 10th (Eastern) | ||
The 1997–98 season was the ninth season of the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Magic hired Chuck Daly as head coach, who won two championships coaching the Detroit Pistons. Offseason acquisitions included Mark Price from the Golden State Warriors, Derek Harper from the Dallas Mavericks and signing free agent Bo Outlaw. However, injuries would be an issue as Anfernee Hardaway only played in just 19 games due to a calf injury, and Darrell Armstrong was out for the rest of the season with a torn right rotator cuff in his shoulder after 48 games. At midseason, Rony Seikaly was traded to the New Jersey Nets as the Magic finished fifth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 41–41, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1992–93 season.
Hardaway was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, which would be his final All-Star appearance. Following the season, Price retired after playing 12 years in the NBA, and Harper signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.