1996–97 Utah Jazz season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Jazz's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 18th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to the start of the season, the Jazz changed their primary logo that more closely reflects the state of Utah, featuring purple mountains and light blue in the script,  plus adding new uniforms. The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they went on a 15-game winning streak between November and December after a 2–2 start to the season. With a 33–14 record at midseason, the Jazz then posted a 31–4 record after the All-Star break, where they posted another 15-game winning streak between March and April, winning 19 of their final 20 games, and finishing first place in the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64–18. They made their fourteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The team also had the second best home record in the league with a 38–3 record at the Delta Center.

Karl Malone averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game as he took home MVP honors, finishing in first place ahead of Michael Jordan in Most Valuable Player voting,    while being named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, John Stockton averaged 14.4 points, led the league with 10.5 assists, and contributed 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Both Malone and Stockton were selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Jeff Hornacek provided the team with 14.5 points and 1.5 steals per game, while Bryon Russell showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 10.8 points and 1.4 steals per game, second-year center Greg Ostertag averaged 7.3 points and rebounds per game each, and led the team with 2.0 blocks per game, and Antoine Carr contributed 7.4 points per game off the bench. Head coach Jerry Sloan finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.

In the playoffs, the Jazz got off to a flying start in the Western Conference First Round sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in three straight games. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they continued to roll easily knocking the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. In the Western Conference Finals, they took a 2–0 series lead over the Houston Rockets, who were led by Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. However, the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece, as Rockets forward Eddie Johnson hit a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer to win Game 4, 95–92. After the Jazz took Game 5 at home, 96–91,  Game 6 would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime, until Stockton nailed a three-point buzzer beater that launched the Jazz to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Rockets on the road, 103–100. In their first trip to the finals, the Jazz lost in six games to Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the defending champion Chicago Bulls.

One notable highlight of the season was the Jazz trailing 70–36 at halftime to the Denver Nuggets at home on November 27, 1996, but came back from a 34-point deficit, outscoring the Nuggets 71–33 in the second half to win the game, 107–103. The Jazz's new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2004.

Roster Notes

 * Small forward Jamie Watson was waived on March 5.

Season standings

 * z – clinched division title
 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Seattle
 * W 99–91
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (13)
 * Hornacek, Stockton (8)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 95–90
 * Malone (21)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (7)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 13,041
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Houston
 * L 72–75
 * Malone (16)
 * Malone (14)
 * Hornacek (5)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Houston
 * L 85–91
 * Malone (32)
 * Malone (11)
 * Stockton (6)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * Sacramento
 * W 105–74
 * Malone (22)
 * Ostertag (13)
 * Stockton (10)
 * Delta Center 19,283
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * Vancouver
 * W 104–96
 * Malone (21)
 * Ostertag (20)
 * Stockton (18)
 * Delta Center 19,046
 * 4–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * @ Dallas
 * W 88–87
 * Stockton (23)
 * Russell (13)
 * Stockton (8)
 * Reunion Arena 15,947
 * 5–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * 7:30p.m. MST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 113–97
 * Malone (37)
 * Ostertag (9)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Great Western Forum 16,122
 * 6–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * Golden State
 * W 109–104 (OT)
 * Delta Center 18,889
 * 7–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Chicago
 * W 105–100
 * Malone (36)
 * Malone (15)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 8–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * New Jersey
 * W 108–92
 * Delta Center 19,132
 * 9–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * Denver
 * W 107–103
 * Delta Center 19,324
 * 10–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 111–94
 * Delta Center 19,381
 * 11–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * Denver
 * W 107–103
 * Delta Center 19,324
 * 10–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 111–94
 * Delta Center 19,381
 * 11–2
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 111–94
 * Delta Center 19,381
 * 11–2
 * Delta Center 19,381
 * 11–2
 * Delta Center 19,381
 * 11–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * 6:00p.m. MST
 * @ Seattle
 * W 96–90
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 12–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * Charlotte
 * W 107–97
 * Delta Center 19,410
 * 13–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * 6:00p.m. MST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 101–75
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 14–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * Minnesota
 * W 106–95
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 15–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * @ Denver
 * W 104–91
 * McNichols Sports Arena 12,837
 * 16–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * Indiana
 * W 110–86
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 17–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * Phoenix
 * L 87–95
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 17–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * Orlando
 * W 101–68
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 18–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ New York
 * L 94–99
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 18–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Miami
 * W 94–87 (OT)
 * Malone (35)
 * Malone (16)
 * Stockton (10)
 * Miami Arena 14,919
 * 19–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 24
 * @ Orlando
 * W 98–93
 * Orlando Arena 17,248
 * 20–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 94–100
 * Gund Arena 17,205
 * 20–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * @ Minnesota
 * L 98–107
 * Target Center 14,434
 * 20–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * Portland
 * W 99–94
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 21–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * Philadelphia
 * W 110–84
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 22–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 101–115
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7
 * @ Orlando
 * W 98–93
 * Orlando Arena 17,248
 * 20–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 94–100
 * Gund Arena 17,205
 * 20–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * @ Minnesota
 * L 98–107
 * Target Center 14,434
 * 20–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * Portland
 * W 99–94
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 21–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * Philadelphia
 * W 110–84
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 22–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 101–115
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 21–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * Philadelphia
 * W 110–84
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 22–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 101–115
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7
 * 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 101–115
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 22–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 80–83
 * Alamodome 15,220
 * 22–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Miami
 * W 83–80
 * Malone (28)
 * Malone (12)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 23–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 89–102
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (11)
 * Stockton (11)
 * United Center 23,882
 * 23–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 112–119 (OT)
 * Bradley Center
 * 23–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * @ Toronto
 * L 96–110
 * SkyDome
 * 23–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * @ Detroit
 * L 77–87
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * 23–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 97–96 (OT)
 * CoreStates Center
 * 24–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * Phoenix
 * W 95–91
 * Delta Center
 * 25–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * @ Vancouver
 * W 106–68
 * General Motors Place
 * 26–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * @ Portland
 * L 96–102
 * Rose Garden
 * 26–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * Cleveland
 * W 94–74
 * Delta Center
 * 27–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 111–99
 * America West Arena
 * 28–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Houston
 * W 105–100 (OT)
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (11)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 29–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * Denver
 * W 114–99
 * Delta Center
 * 30–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Atlanta
 * W 102–96
 * Delta Center
 * 31–13
 * Cleveland
 * W 94–74
 * Delta Center
 * 27–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 111–99
 * America West Arena
 * 28–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * 6:30p.m. MST
 * @ Houston
 * W 105–100 (OT)
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (17)
 * Stockton (11)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 29–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * Denver
 * W 114–99
 * Delta Center
 * 30–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Atlanta
 * W 102–96
 * Delta Center
 * 31–13
 * Delta Center
 * 30–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * Atlanta
 * W 102–96
 * Delta Center
 * 31–13
 * Delta Center
 * 31–13
 * Delta Center
 * 31–13
 * 31–13


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * @ Dallas
 * L 97–100
 * Reunion Arena
 * 31–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * Washington
 * W 111–89
 * Delta Center
 * 32–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47
 * 6:00p.m. MST
 * @ Seattle
 * W 99–95
 * KeyArena
 * 33–14
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 120–98
 * ARCO Arena
 * 34–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * Portland
 * W 110–86
 * Delta Center
 * 35–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * Dallas
 * W 99–84
 * Delta Center
 * 36–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * San Antonio
 * W 113–105
 * Delta Center
 * 37–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Boston
 * W 122–105
 * Delta Center
 * 38–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * 1:30p.m. MST
 * Seattle
 * L 87–89 (OT)
 * Delta Center
 * 38–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * New York
 * W 110–99
 * Delta Center
 * 39–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * Toronto
 * W 118–114
 * Delta Center
 * 40–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * @ Portland
 * L 105–115
 * Rose Garden
 * 40–16
 * Delta Center
 * 38–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * 1:30p.m. MST
 * Seattle
 * L 87–89 (OT)
 * Delta Center
 * 38–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * 7:00p.m. MST
 * New York
 * W 110–99
 * Delta Center
 * 39–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * Toronto
 * W 118–114
 * Delta Center
 * 40–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * @ Portland
 * L 105–115
 * Rose Garden
 * 40–16
 * Toronto
 * W 118–114
 * Delta Center
 * 40–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * @ Portland
 * L 105–115
 * Rose Garden
 * 40–16
 * @ Portland
 * L 105–115
 * Rose Garden
 * 40–16
 * Rose Garden
 * 40–16
 * 40–16


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * @ Vancouver
 * W 93–86
 * General Motors Place
 * 41–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * @ Golden State
 * W 111–104
 * San Jose Arena
 * 42–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * Dallas
 * W 96–65
 * Delta Center
 * 43–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * Detroit
 * W 95–88
 * Delta Center
 * 44–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 115–106
 * Target Center
 * 45–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * 5:30p.m. MST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 99–106
 * The Omni
 * 45–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 117–102
 * Continental Airlines Arena
 * 46–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * @ Indiana
 * W 105–96
 * Market Square Arena
 * 47–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * @ Washington
 * W 100–93
 * US Airways Arena
 * 48–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * @ Charlotte
 * W 114–93
 * Charlotte Coliseum
 * 49–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * @ Boston
 * W 113–100
 * Fleet Center
 * 50–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 107–94
 * Delta Center
 * 51–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * @ Denver
 * W 120–103
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 52–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * Milwaukee
 * W 101–96
 * Delta Center
 * 53–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 115–102
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17
 * 66
 * @ Charlotte
 * W 114–93
 * Charlotte Coliseum
 * 49–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * @ Boston
 * W 113–100
 * Fleet Center
 * 50–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 107–94
 * Delta Center
 * 51–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * @ Denver
 * W 120–103
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 52–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * Milwaukee
 * W 101–96
 * Delta Center
 * 53–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 115–102
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 52–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * Milwaukee
 * W 101–96
 * Delta Center
 * 53–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 115–102
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 115–102
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17
 * Alamodome
 * 54–17


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * Sacramento
 * W 118–87
 * Delta Center
 * 55–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * Vancouver
 * W 106–79
 * Delta Center
 * 56–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * @ Golden State
 * W 114–100
 * San Jose Arena
 * 57–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * San Antonio
 * W 116–93
 * Delta Center
 * 58–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * 6:00p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 101–89
 * Delta Center
 * 59–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * Houston
 * W 104–83
 * Malone (28)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (8)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 60–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 98–100
 * Great Western Forum
 * 60–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 127–122
 * America West Arena
 * 61–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * Golden State
 * W 106–93
 * Delta Center
 * 62–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * Minnesota
 * W 101–89
 * Delta Center
 * 63–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 113–109
 * ARCO Arena
 * 64–18
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 127–122
 * America West Arena
 * 61–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * Golden State
 * W 106–93
 * Delta Center
 * 62–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * Minnesota
 * W 101–89
 * Delta Center
 * 63–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 113–109
 * ARCO Arena
 * 64–18
 * W 101–89
 * Delta Center
 * 63–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 113–109
 * ARCO Arena
 * 64–18
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 113–109
 * ARCO Arena
 * 64–18
 * ARCO Arena
 * 64–18
 * 64–18

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 106–86
 * Malone (27)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (17)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 105–99
 * Malone (39)
 * Malone (11)
 * Hornacek, Stockton (4)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 104–92
 * Malone (26)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,747
 * 3–0
 * Stockton (13)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,747
 * 3–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * 3:30p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 93–77
 * Malone (23)
 * Malone (13)
 * Hornacek (7)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * 8:30p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 103–101
 * Malone (31)
 * Malone (11)
 * Hornacek, Stockton (7)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 8:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 84–104
 * Hornacek (26)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (8)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 110–95
 * Russell (29)
 * Russell (10)
 * Stockton (11)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * 8:30p.m. MDT
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 98–93 (OT)
 * Malone (32)
 * Malone (20)
 * Stockton (10)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 4–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * 6:30p.m. MDT
 * Houston
 * W 101–86
 * Malone (21)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (13)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * 6:30p.m. MDT
 * Houston
 * W 104–92
 * Stockton (26)
 * Malone (15)
 * Stockton (12)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * 6:30p.m. MDT
 * @ Houston
 * L 100–118
 * Malone (21)
 * Ostertag (9)
 * Stockton (10)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * 1:30p.m. MDT
 * @ Houston
 * L 92–95
 * Malone, Stockton (22)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (8)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * Houston
 * W 96–91
 * Malone (29)
 * Malone (14)
 * Stockton (6)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * @ Houston
 * W 103–100
 * Stockton (25)
 * Ostertag (14)
 * Stockton (13)
 * The Summit 16,285
 * 4–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * 5:30p.m. MDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 82–84
 * Malone (23)
 * Malone (15)
 * Stockton (12)
 * United Center 24,544
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 85–97
 * Malone (20)
 * Malone (13)
 * Stockton (7)
 * United Center 24,544
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * Chicago
 * W 104–93
 * Malone (37)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (12)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * 5:30p.m. MDT
 * Chicago
 * W 78–73
 * Malone (23)
 * Malone (10)
 * Stockton (12)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * Chicago
 * L 88–90
 * Malone (19)
 * Ostertag (15)
 * Malone (6)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * 7:00p.m. MDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 86–90
 * Malone (21)
 * Ostertag (8)
 * Stockton (5)
 * United Center 24,544
 * 2–4

NBA Finals
In the Finals, the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls losing the first two games on the road. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the Delta Center continued their home court advantage by taking Game 3, and Game 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead in Game 5, the Jazz were beaten by a heroic performance by Michael Jordan playing with the flu like ailment 90–88. Back in Chicago for Game 6, the Jazz battled the Bulls tightly before falling by four points as the Bulls won their fifth title in seven years.

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

Awards

 * Karl Malone, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
 * Karl Malone, All-NBA First Team
 * John Stockton, All-NBA Third Team
 * Karl Malone, NBA All-Defensive First Team
 * John Stockton, NBA All-Defensive Second Team