1997–98 Atlanta Hawks season
Game Date Team Score Location Attendance Record
30 January 2 at Los Angeles Lakers L 106-116 Great Western Forum 19-11
31 January 3 at Utah Jazz L 82-97 Delta Center 19-12
32 January 7 at Golden State Warriors W 106-86 Oakland Arena 20-12
33 January 9 vs Washington Wizards W 82-77 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 21-12
34 January 11 at Washington Wizards W 107-102 ( OT ) MCI Center 22-12
35 January 13 at New York Knicks W 91-89 Madison Square Garden 23-12
36 January 14 vs Dallas Mavericks W 108-82 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 24-12
37 January 16 vs Golden State Warriors W 102-89 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 25-12
38 January 17 at New Jersey Nets L 81-97 Continental Airlines Arena 25-13
39 January 20 vs Milwaukee Bucks W 103-89 Georgia Dome 26-13
40 January 21 at San Antonio Spurs L 76-90 Alamodome 26-14
41 January 23 vs Boston Celtics L 85-89 Georgia Dome 26-15
42 January 24 vs Portland Trail Blazers L 77-92 Georgia Dome 26-16
43 January 26 vs Phoenix Suns L 91-96 Georgia Dome 26-17
44 January 27 at Minnesota Timberwolves L 96-113 Target Center 26-18
45 January 29 vs Philadelphia 76ers W 109-99 ( OT ) Alexander Memorial Coliseum 27-18
46 January 31 at Charlotte Hornets W 103-83 Charlotte Coliseum 28-18
The 1997-98 NBA season was the Hawks' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season in Atlanta. Due to the demolition of The Omni, the Hawks played their home games at the Georgia Dome, and their original home from 1968 to 1972, the Alexander Memorial Coliseum (known as McDonald's Center at the time). The Hawks got off to a fast start winning their first eleven games, but later on struggled posting a 7-game losing streak between December and January. They finished fourth in the Central Division with a solid 50-32 record. Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith were both selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. Mutombo was also named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive time, while forward Alan Henderson won the Most Improved Player of The Year award. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Hawks lost in four games to the Charlotte Hornets. On March 27, 1998, the Hawks set a single game regular season attendance record of 62,046 fans in a game against the Chicago Bulls at the Georgia Dome. However, they lost 89-74. Following the season, Christian Laettner was traded to the Detroit Pistons, and Eldridge Recasner signed as a free agent with the Charlotte Hornets.