Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 1996–97 NBA regular season standings. The Chicago Bulls won the NBA Championship, defeating the Utah Jazz 4–2 in the Finals.
Eastern Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Miami Heat | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Pat Riley | Lost East Finals (vs. CHI, 1–4) |
| Atlantic | New York Knicks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 4 | Jeff Van Gundy | Lost East Semis (vs. MIA, 3–4) |
| Atlantic | Orlando Magic | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 | Richie Adubato | Lost East 1st Round (vs. MIA, 2–3) |
| Atlantic | Washington Bullets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 17 | Bernie Bickerstaff | Lost East 1st Round (vs. CHI, 0–3) |
| Atlantic | Boston Celtics | 15 | 67 | .183 | 46 | M.L. Carr | Missed Playoffs |
| Atlantic | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 35 | John Calipari | Missed Playoffs |
| Atlantic | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 60 | .268 | 39 | Johnny Davis | Missed Playoffs |
| Central | Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | — | Phil Jackson | Won NBA Championship |
| Central | Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 | Lenny Wilkens | Lost East Semis (vs. CHI, 1–4) |
| Central | Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | Doug Collins | Lost East 1st Round (vs. ATL, 2–3) |
| Central | Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | Dave Cowens | Lost East 1st Round (vs. NYK, 0–3) |
| Central | Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 | Mike Fratello | Missed Playoffs |
| Central | Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 | Larry Brown | Missed Playoffs |
| Central | Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 | Chris Ford | Missed Playoffs |
| Central | Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 | Darrell Walker | Missed Playoffs |
Western Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | — | Jerry Sloan | Lost NBA Finals (vs. CHI, 2–4) |
| Midwest | Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 | Rudy Tomjanovich | Lost West Finals (vs. UTA, 2–4) |
| Midwest | Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 | Flip Saunders | Lost West 1st Round (vs. HOU, 0–3) |
| Midwest | Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40 | Jim Cleamons | Missed Playoffs |
| Midwest | Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 43 | Dick Motta | Missed Playoffs |
| Midwest | San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44 | Gregg Popovich | Missed Playoffs |
| Midwest | Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 | Brian Winters | Missed Playoffs |
| Pacific | Seattle SuperSonics | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | George Karl | Lost West Semis (vs. HOU, 3–4) |
| Pacific | L.A. Lakers | 56 | 26 | .683 | 1 | Del Harris | Lost West Semis (vs. UTA, 1–4) |
| Pacific | Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 8 | P.J. Carlesimo | Lost West 1st Round (vs. LAL, 1–3) |
| Pacific | Phoenix Suns | 40 | 42 | .488 | 17 | Danny Ainge | Lost West 1st Round (vs. SEA, 2–3) |
| Pacific | Sacramento Kings | 34 | 48 | .415 | 23 | Garry St. Jean | Missed Playoffs |
| Pacific | Golden State Warriors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 27 | Rick Adelman | Missed Playoffs |
| Pacific | L.A. Clippers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | Bill Fitch | Missed Playoffs |