1997–98 Phoenix Suns season


The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. In the offseason, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets, and signed free agents Clifford Robinson and George McCloud. Danny Ainge returned for his first full season as the Suns head coach. At midseason, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to the Dallas Mavericks for three-point specialist Dennis Scott, as they posted a ten-game winning streak near the end of the season. The Suns posted a 56-26 record as members of the Pacific Division. They would make their 10th straight playoff appearance before losing in the first round, 1-3, to the San Antonio Spurs. All home games were played in America West Arena.
The team's top scorer, Rex Chapman at 15.9 points per game, was part of a Suns offense that included four other players averaging double-digits in points in McDyess, Robinson, Sixth Man of The Year Danny Manning and Jason Kidd. Kidd was the team's sole member to be selected as a member of the All-Star Game, and finished second in the league in assists per game.
Following the season, McDyess re-signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets, Kevin Johnson retired, second-year guard Steve Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Hot Rod Williams signed as a free agent with the Mavericks, and Scott signed with the New York Knicks.

Offseason

NBA Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
243Stephen JacksonSF/SGUnited StatesButler CC

The Suns used their only draft pick to select future star Stephen Jackson, who was waived before the start of the season. The Suns traded their first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995 when they dealt Dan Majerle and Antonio Lang for John "Hot Rod" Williams.

Roster

Salaries

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

Even with a 56–26 record, the Suns were the fourth seed in the West heading into the Playoffs. They would face the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs, headlined by star center David Robinson and Rookie of the Year forward Tim Duncan. Duncan led the Spurs to a game one upset in Phoenix, scoring 28 second-half points in a 102–96 victory. The Suns recovered to win game two 108–101. Antonio McDyess led the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while holding Duncan to 16 points with six turnovers. On the night he received the Rookie of the Year Award, Duncan again led the Spurs with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Despite 26 points and 17 rebounds from McDyess, the Suns fell 88–100 and into a 1–2 series hole. The Spurs would clinch the series 3–1 in San Antonio, behind 30 points from Avery Johnson, 21 rebounds from Robinson, and 6 blocks from Duncan. McDyess pulled down 19 rebounds for the Suns, but shot only 5 of 14 from the field, while Kevin Johnson led the team with 18 points.

Game log

Awards and honors

Week/Month

Season

† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.

Playoffs

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions