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1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season

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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
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

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]

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. Name Height Weight DOB From
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 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 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
  • (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 61 21 .744 – 35–6 26–15 19–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744  – 33–8 28–13 16–8
x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 5 30–11 26–15 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 15 26–15 20–21 14–10
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 34 21–20 6–35 6–18
Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 42 12–29 7–34 6–18
Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 44 11–30 6–35 6–18
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz 62 20 .756 –
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics 61 21 .744 1
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744 1
4 x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 6
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 6
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 16
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 .549 17
8 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 21
9 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 35
10 Dallas Mavericks 20 62 .244 42
11 Vancouver Grizzlies 19 63 .232 43
11 Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 43
13 Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 45
14 Denver Nuggets 11 71 .134 51

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 – 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston 1–2 – 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte 0–4 2–1 – 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago 3–1 3–1 3–1 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 – 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 – 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 – 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 – 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 – 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 – 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 – 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 – 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 – 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 – 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 – 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 – 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto 0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 – 4–0 0–2
Vancouver 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 —

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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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 49 1 7.6 .365 .295 .931 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.1 2.5
Mario Bennett 45 4 7.9 .593 .500 .364 2.8 0.4 0.4 0.2 3.9
Corie Blount 70 3 14.7 .572 .000 .500 4.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 3.6
Kobe Bryant 79 1 26.0 .428 .341 .794 3.1 2.5 0.9 0.5 15.4
Elden Campbell 81 28 22.0 .463 .500 .693 5.6 1.0 0.4 1.3 10.1
Derek Fisher 82 36 21.5 .434 .383 .757 2.4 4.1 0.9 0.1 5.8
Rick Fox 82 82 33.0 .471 .325 .743 4.4 3.4 1.2 0.6 12.0
Robert Horry 72 71 30.4 .476 .204 .692 7.5 2.3 1.6 1.3 7.4
Eddie Jones 80 80 36.4 .484 .389 .765 3.8 3.1 2.0 0.7 16.9
Shaquille O'Neal 60 57 36.3 .584 . .527 11.4 2.4 0.7 2.4 28.3
Sean Rooks 41 1 10.4 .455 . .595 2.9 0.6 0.0 0.6 3.4
Shea Seals 4 0 2.3 .125 .000 .500 1.0 . 0.3 . 1.0
Nick Van Exel 64 46 32.1 .419 .389 .791 2.5 6.9 1.0 0.1 13.8

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jon Barry 7 0 2.6 .000 .000 .3 .0 .1 .0 .0
Mario Bennett 4 0 2.5 .500 1.000 1.5 .0 .0 .3 1.0
Corie Blount 12 0 17.4 .500 .636 5.3 .6 .5 .3 2.6
Kobe Bryant 11 0 20.0 .408 .214 .689 1.9 1.5 .3 .7 8.7
Elden Campbell 13 0 13.8 .451 .647 3.5 .6 .2 .9 5.2
Derek Fisher 13 13 21.4 .397 .300 .621 1.9 3.8 1.3 .0 6.0
Rick Fox 13 13 32.9 .447 .396 .826 4.5 3.9 .8 .2 10.9
Robert Horry 13 13 32.5 .557 .353 .683 6.5 3.1 1.1 1.1 8.6
Eddie Jones 13 13 36.6 .466 .417 .829 3.9 2.5 2.0 1.6 17.0
Shaquille O'Neal 13 13 38.5 .612 .503 10.2 2.9 .5 2.6 30.5
Sean Rooks 4 0 2.8 .333 .3 .0 .0 .8 1.0
Nick Van Exel 13 0 28.2 .331 .314 .725 2.5 4.2 .6 .1 11.6

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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