Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 1997–98 NBA Regular Season Standings.
Eastern Conference
Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Miami Heat | 55 | 27 | .671 | — | Pat Riley | Lost East 1st Round (vs. NYK, 2–3) |
Atlantic | New York Knicks | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12 | Jeff Van Gundy | Lost East Semis (vs. IND, 1–4) |
Atlantic | New Jersey Nets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12 | John Calipari | Lost East 1st Round (vs. CHI, 0–3) |
Atlantic | Washington Wizards | 42 | 40 | .512 | 13 | Bernie Bickerstaff | Missed Playoffs |
Atlantic | Boston Celtics | 36 | 46 | .439 | 19 | Rick Pitino | Missed Playoffs |
Atlantic | Philadelphia 76ers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 24 | Larry Brown | Missed Playoffs |
Central | Chicago Bulls | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | Phil Jackson | Won NBA Championship |
Central | Indiana Pacers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 | Larry Bird | Lost East Finals (vs. CHI, 3–4) |
Central | Charlotte Hornets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 | Dave Cowens | Lost East Semis (vs. CHI, 1–4) |
Central | Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 | Lenny Wilkens | Lost East 1st Round (vs. CHA, 1–3) |
Central | Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | Mike Fratello | Lost East 1st Round (vs. IND, 1–3) |
Central | Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | Doug Collins | Missed Playoffs |
Central | Milwaukee Bucks | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 | Chris Ford | Missed Playoffs |
Central | Toronto Raptors | 16 | 66 | .195 | 46 | Darrell Walker | Missed Playoffs |
Western Conference
Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Midwest | Utah Jazz | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | Jerry Sloan | Lost NBA Finals (vs. CHI, 2–4) |
Midwest | San Antonio Spurs | 56 | 26 | .683 | 6 | Gregg Popovich | Lost West Semis (vs. UTA, 1–4) |
Midwest | Minnesota Timberwolves | 45 | 37 | .549 | 17 | Flip Saunders | Lost West 1st Round (vs. SEA, 2–3) |
Midwest | Houston Rockets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 | Rudy Tomjanovich | Lost West 1st Round (vs. UTA, 2–3) |
Midwest | Dallas Mavericks | 20 | 62 | .244 | 42 | Don Nelson | Missed Playoffs |
Midwest | Vancouver Grizzlies | 19 | 63 | .232 | 43 | Brian Hill | Missed Playoffs |
Midwest | Denver Nuggets | 11 | 71 | .134 | 51 | Bill Hanzlik | Missed Playoffs |
Pacific | Seattle SuperSonics | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | George Karl | Lost West Semis (vs. LAL, 1–4) |
Pacific | Los Angeles Lakers | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Del Harris | Lost West Finals (vs. UTA, 0–4) |
Pacific | Phoenix Suns | 56 | 26 | .683 | 5 | Danny Ainge | Lost West 1st Round (vs. SAS, 1–3) |
Pacific | Portland Trail Blazers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 15 | Mike Dunleavy Sr. | Lost West 1st Round (vs. LAL, 1–3) |
Pacific | Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 | Eddie Jordan | Missed Playoffs |
Pacific | Golden State Warriors | 19 | 63 | .232 | 42 | P. J. Carlesimo | Missed Playoffs |
Pacific | Los Angeles Clippers | 17 | 65 | .207 | 44 | Bill Fitch | Missed Playoffs |
1998 NBA Playoffs Summary
- NBA Champion: Chicago Bulls
- Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
- Finals Result: Bulls defeated Jazz 4–2
In the playoffs, the Bulls advanced through the Eastern Conference, defeating the New Jersey Nets (3–0), Charlotte Hornets (4–1), and Indiana Pacers (4–3) to reach the NBA Finals. In the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets (3–2), San Antonio Spurs (4–1), and Los Angeles Lakers (4–0) to reach the Finals. In the NBA Finals, the Bulls defeated the Jazz 4–2 to win the championship.