The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season in Atlanta. In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by picking up free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo, while re-signing Tyrone Corbin during the offseason. Other free agents included Eldridge Recasner, former Georgia Tech guard Jon Barry and Henry James, who was signed by the team in December. The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but later on posted a 14–2 record in January including a ten-game winning streak. The team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12 to February 12. The Hawks finished second in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5. Mutombo and Christian Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Mutombo would also capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors, as he finished second in the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots. He was not the only member of the club to excel on defense as guard Mookie Blaylock led the NBA in steals, while finishing second in the league with 221 three-point field goals. Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game. In the playoffs, the Hawks would be put to the test as they needed five games to get past the Detroit Pistons after trailing 2–1 in the first round. However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals as they fell in five games to the eventual NBA champions, despite winning Game 2 at the United Center 103–95. It was also their final season playing at The Omni, which hosted its final game in a Game 4 loss to the Bulls, 89–80 on May 11, 1997. Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, James re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ken Norman retired.
Forward Darrin Hancock played in two stints with the Hawks during the season. He was signed by the team after being waived by the Phoenix Suns, who acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks. After the Hawks waived him, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs where he would only play one game for them before being released, and re-signed by the Hawks for the rest of the season.
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Playoffs
In the first round, Atlanta would need five games to get past the Detroit Pistons. But in the semifinals, they would lose five games to the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks won Game 2 at the United Center 103–95.
Traded Stacey Augmon, and Grant Long to the Detroit Pistons for a 1997 second round draft pick, a 1999 first round draft pick, and a 1999 second round draft pick.
