1997 NBA ALL-STAR GAME - FINAL SCORE
EAST 132 - WEST 120
Glen Rice: 26 Points | Michael Jordan: Triple-Double
Most Valuable Player: Glen Rice
1997 NBA All-Star Game Recap
The 47th NBA All-Star Game was played on February 9, 1997, at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Before a sellout crowd of 20,592 spectators, the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 132-120. Charlotte Hornets forward Glen Rice was named Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high 26 points, including 20 in the third quarter.
The contest was part of the NBA's 50th anniversary celebration, which brought many of the greatest players in league history to Cleveland. While the weekend honored the NBA's past, the All-Star Game itself produced two remarkable performances that immediately became part of basketball history.
Rice entered the game as an Eastern Conference reserve and finished with 26 points in 25 minutes. He made 10 of 24 field goal attempts, including four of seven three-pointers, and converted both free throws. His scoring outburst helped the East overcome an early deficit and seize control during the second half.
Rice scored 20 points in the third quarter, setting an NBA All-Star Game record for points in a quarter at the time. He also scored 24 points in the second half, another All-Star record at the time. His performance made him the first player representing the Charlotte Hornets to win NBA All-Star Game MVP honors.
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan added another historic achievement by recording the first triple-double in NBA All-Star Game history. Jordan finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 26 minutes. He also recorded two steals while helping direct the Eastern Conference offense.
Jordan made five of 14 field goal attempts and four of seven free throws. His scoring was modest by his usual standards, but his passing and rebounding made him one of the most influential players on the court. His 11 assists tied for the game high.
The Western Conference opened the game aggressively, outscoring the East 34-21 in the first quarter. Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton, Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell and the Western Conference's deep frontcourt helped establish an early advantage.
The East began its comeback in the second quarter, outscoring the West 36-26. That reduced the Western Conference's lead to 60-57 at halftime and set the stage for Rice's historic third-quarter performance.
During the third quarter, the Eastern Conference erupted for 40 points while holding the West to 27. Rice accounted for half of the East's points in the period, helping turn a three-point halftime deficit into a 97-87 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The East maintained its advantage in the final period, outscoring the West 35-33 and securing a 132-120 victory. The Eastern Conference scored 75 points in the second half after managing just 57 in the first.
Orlando Magic guard Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Milwaukee Bucks forward Vin Baker each scored 19 points for the East. Hardaway made seven of 10 field goal attempts, including three three-pointers, while Baker made eight of 12 shots and collected 12 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill contributed 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Hill was appearing in his third consecutive NBA All-Star Game and continued to establish himself as one of the league's most popular young stars.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Terrell Brandon scored 10 points and handed out eight assists before his home crowd. Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway also scored 10 points, making two three-pointers, while Atlanta Hawks forward Christian Laettner contributed seven points and 11 rebounds.
Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds. Atlanta Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo contributed three points, eight rebounds and one blocked shot. Washington Bullets forward Chris Webber added two points, four rebounds and three assists.
Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars scored three points in 10 minutes. The 1997 contest was his final NBA All-Star Game appearance, closing a distinguished run that began during Detroit's championship era.
The Western Conference was led in scoring by Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell, who finished with 19 points. Sprewell made seven of 12 field goal attempts, converted four free throws and recorded two steals.
Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton contributed 17 points and 10 assists. He made seven of 15 field goal attempts, including one three-pointer, and recorded two steals. His passing helped the West finish with 29 assists.
Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton scored 12 points on five-for-six shooting, including two successful three-point attempts. Stockton also handed out five assists and recorded one steal. His teammate Karl Malone added four points, four rebounds and one blocked shot.
Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon scored 11 points, grabbed three rebounds and blocked one shot. Seattle forward Detlef Schrempf also scored 11 points, while teammate Shawn Kemp contributed 10 points and four rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Eddie Jones scored 10 points and blocked two shots. Sacramento Kings guard Mitch Richmond scored nine points, all from three-point range, making three of four attempts from beyond the arc.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Tom Gugliotta scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds. His Minnesota teammate Kevin Garnett made his first NBA All-Star appearance, becoming one of the youngest All-Stars in league history. Garnett scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds in 18 minutes.
Dallas Mavericks forward Chris Gatling contributed two points and two rebounds in his only NBA All-Star Game appearance. Gatling was one of several players added to the Western Conference roster because of injuries.
The Eastern Conference shot 45.2 percent from the field, making 52 of 115 attempts. The West shot 47.4 percent, connecting on 46 of 97 shots. However, the East made 12 three-pointers compared with nine for the West and held a commanding 67-42 advantage in rebounds.
The East also recorded 36 assists, compared with 29 for the West. Jordan led the way with 11, while Brandon added eight and Hardaway contributed three.
Injuries affected both rosters. The Eastern Conference was without Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat. Chris Webber and Tim Hardaway were named as replacements.
The Western Conference was missing Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler and Shaquille O'Neal. Kevin Garnett, Chris Gatling and Detlef Schrempf joined the roster as injury replacements, giving several additional players an opportunity to participate in the game.
The weekend also featured the emergence of two rookies who would become central figures in NBA history. Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest, while Philadelphia 76ers rookie Allen Iverson earned Rookie Game MVP honors. Neither participated in the main All-Star Game.
The 1997 NBA All-Star Game is remembered for Rice's record-setting scoring performance, Jordan's historic triple-double and the Eastern Conference's comeback from a 13-point first-quarter deficit. Combined with the NBA's 50th anniversary celebrations, the event remains one of the most historically significant All-Star weekends of the 1990s.
1997 NBA All-Star Game Information
Date: February 9, 1997
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Arena: Gund Arena
Attendance: 20,592
Winning Team: Eastern Conference, 132-120
Most Valuable Player: Glen Rice, Charlotte Hornets
Eastern Conference Coach: Doug Collins, Detroit Pistons
Western Conference Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston Rockets
Officials: Ron Garretson, Hugh Evans and Bill Oakes
Television: NBC
Slam Dunk Contest Winner: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Three-Point Shootout Winner: Steve Kerr, Chicago Bulls
Rookie Game: East 96, West 91
Rookie Game MVP: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
1997 NBA All-Star Game Score by Quarter
| Conference |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| Eastern Conference |
21 | 36 | 40 | 35 | 132 |
| Western Conference |
34 | 26 | 27 | 33 | 120 |
Eastern Conference All-Stars - 132 Points
Head Coach: Doug Collins, Detroit Pistons
| Player | Team |
MIN | FG | 3PT | FT |
OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| Starters |
| Scottie Pippen | Chicago Bulls | 25 | 4-9 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Grant Hill | Detroit Pistons | 22 | 4-7 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | Atlanta Hawks | 15 | 1-5 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 26 | 5-14 | 0-0 | 4-7 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| Anfernee Hardaway | Orlando Magic | 24 | 7-10 | 3-5 | 2-2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Reserves |
| Vin Baker | Milwaukee Bucks | 24 | 8-12 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
| Terrell Brandon | Cleveland Cavaliers | 17 | 4-11 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Chris Webber | Washington Bullets | 14 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Tim Hardaway | Miami Heat | 14 | 4-10 | 2-6 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Glen Rice (MVP) | Charlotte Hornets | 25 | 10-24 | 4-7 | 2-2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 26 |
| Joe Dumars | Detroit Pistons | 10 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Christian Laettner | Atlanta Hawks | 24 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| TEAM TOTALS | | 240 | 52-115 | 12-29 | 16-22 | 25 | 67 | 36 | 12 | 3 | 18 | 22 | 132 |
Selected but did not play: Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat missed the game because of injuries. Chris Webber of the Washington Bullets and Tim Hardaway of the Miami Heat were selected as replacements.
Western Conference All-Stars - 120 Points
Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston Rockets
| Player | Team |
MIN | FG | 3PT | FT |
OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| Starters |
| Karl Malone | Utah Jazz | 20 | 2-8 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Shawn Kemp | Seattle SuperSonics | 19 | 4-7 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 20 | 5-8 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Gary Payton | Seattle SuperSonics | 28 | 7-15 | 1-5 | 2-2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 17 |
| John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 20 | 5-6 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Reserves |
| Mitch Richmond | Sacramento Kings | 22 | 3-7 | 3-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Latrell Sprewell | Golden State Warriors | 25 | 7-12 | 1-3 | 4-6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Tom Gugliotta | Minnesota Timberwolves | 19 | 3-7 | 0-1 | 3-4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | 18 | 1-7 | 0-0 | 4-4 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Eddie Jones | Los Angeles Lakers | 17 | 3-4 | 0-1 | 4-7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Detlef Schrempf | Seattle SuperSonics | 20 | 5-8 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11 |
| Chris Gatling | Dallas Mavericks | 12 | 1-8 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| TEAM TOTALS | | 240 | 46-97 | 9-21 | 19-28 | 8 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 19 | 120 |
Selected but did not play: Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns, Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets and Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers missed the game because of injuries. Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chris Gatling of the Dallas Mavericks and Detlef Schrempf of the Seattle SuperSonics were named as replacements.
Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes Played; FG = Field Goals Made-Attempted; 3PT = Three-Point Field Goals Made-Attempted; FT = Free Throws Made-Attempted; OREB = Offensive Rebounds; REB = Total Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; TO = Turnovers; PF = Personal Fouls; PTS = Points.
1997 NBA All-Star Game Team Statistics
| Statistic | East | West |
|---|
| Final Score | 132 | 120 |
| Field Goals | 52-115 | 46-97 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 45.2% | 47.4% |
| Three-Point Field Goals | 12-29 | 9-21 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 41.4% | 42.9% |
| Free Throws | 16-22 | 19-28 |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 72.7% | 67.9% |
| Offensive Rebounds | 25 | 8 |
| Total Rebounds | 67 | 42 |
| Assists | 36 | 29 |
| Steals | 12 | 11 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 16 |
| Personal Fouls | 22 | 19 |
1997 NBA All-Star Game Historical Notes
Glen Rice Wins His Only NBA All-Star MVP
Glen Rice became the first Charlotte Hornets player to win NBA All-Star Game MVP honors. He scored 26 points, made four three-pointers and helped lead the Eastern Conference's comeback victory. Rice's performance was especially impressive because he did not start the game.
Rice Scores 20 Points in the Third Quarter
Rice scored 20 points during the third quarter, setting an All-Star Game record at the time. He accounted for half of the Eastern Conference's 40 points in the period and helped turn a 60-57 halftime deficit into a 97-87 lead.
Rice Sets a Second-Half Scoring Record
Rice scored 24 points after halftime, another NBA All-Star Game record at the time. His third-quarter scoring explosion remains one of the most memorable offensive performances in All-Star history.
Michael Jordan Records the First All-Star Triple-Double
Michael Jordan became the first player in NBA All-Star Game history to record a triple-double. He finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Jordan also recorded two steals and helped the East finish with 36 assists.
Jordan and Pippen Represent the Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen represented the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls. Jordan recorded his historic triple-double, while Pippen contributed eight points and three rebounds.
Vin Baker Scores 19 Points and Grabs 12 Rebounds
Milwaukee Bucks forward Vin Baker delivered one of the strongest performances for the Eastern Conference. He scored 19 points on eight-for-12 shooting and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds.
Penny Hardaway Scores 19 Points
Orlando Magic guard Penny Hardaway scored 19 points, including three three-pointers. He made seven of 10 field goal attempts and added seven rebounds and three assists.
Terrell Brandon Represents Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Terrell Brandon scored 10 points and recorded eight assists before his home crowd. It was his second consecutive NBA All-Star appearance.
John Stockton Scores 12 Points
Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton scored 12 points on five-for-six shooting, including two successful three-point attempts. Stockton also handed out five assists and recorded one steal.
Karl Malone Makes Another All-Star Start
Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone started for the Western Conference and contributed four points, four rebounds and one blocked shot. Malone and Stockton continued to represent one of the most successful partnerships in NBA history.
Gary Payton Records a Double-Double
Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton scored 17 points and handed out 10 assists. He also recorded two steals and helped direct the Western Conference offense.
Latrell Sprewell Leads the Western Conference
Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell scored 19 points on seven-for-12 shooting. He also converted four of six free throws and recorded two steals.
Kevin Garnett Makes His First NBA All-Star Appearance
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett made his All-Star debut at age 20. Garnett scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds in 18 minutes. It was the beginning of a long run of All-Star selections for the future NBA MVP and champion.
Tom Gugliotta Represents Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Tom Gugliotta made his only NBA All-Star appearance. He contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three assists. Gugliotta and Garnett gave Minnesota two representatives in the Western Conference lineup.
Chris Gatling Makes His Only All-Star Appearance
Dallas Mavericks forward Chris Gatling appeared in his only NBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement. He scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in 12 minutes.
Joe Dumars Makes His Final All-Star Appearance
Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars played in his sixth and final NBA All-Star Game. He scored three points in 10 minutes, closing an All-Star career that included appearances during Detroit's championship seasons.
Scottie Pippen Makes His Final All-Star Appearance
Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen made his seventh and final NBA All-Star appearance. He finished with eight points and three rebounds in 25 minutes.
Hakeem Olajuwon Makes His Final All-Star Appearance
Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon scored 11 points and grabbed three rebounds in his final NBA All-Star Game appearance. Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star and one of the greatest centers in league history.
Patrick Ewing Misses the Game
New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing was selected to the Eastern Conference roster but could not participate because of injury. The 1997 selection was the last of his 11 NBA All-Star selections.
Injuries Create Several Replacement Selections
Five selected All-Stars missed the game because of injuries: Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler and Shaquille O'Neal. Their replacements were Chris Webber, Tim Hardaway, Kevin Garnett, Chris Gatling and Detlef Schrempf.
The Eastern Conference Dominates Rebounding
The East grabbed 67 rebounds compared with 42 for the West, including a 25-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Vin Baker led the East with 12, while Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner each collected 11.
Doug Collins Coaches the Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons head coach Doug Collins guided the Eastern Conference to victory. Collins had previously coached Michael Jordan during Jordan's early years with the Chicago Bulls.
Rudy Tomjanovich Coaches the Western Conference
Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich coached the West. Tomjanovich had led Houston to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
Kobe Bryant Wins the Slam Dunk Contest
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kobe Bryant won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. At just 18 years old, Bryant became the youngest winner in the competition's history. He would go on to become an 18-time NBA All-Star.
Steve Kerr Wins the Three-Point Shootout
Chicago Bulls guard Steve Kerr won the 1997 NBA Three-Point Shootout. Kerr joined former Bulls guard Craig Hodges among the franchise's winners of the competition.
Allen Iverson Wins Rookie Game MVP
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Allen Iverson was named MVP of the Rookie Game after scoring 19 points and handing out nine assists. The Eastern Conference rookies defeated the Western Conference rookies 96-91. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points for the West.
The NBA Celebrates Its 50 Greatest Players
During All-Star Weekend, the NBA honored its 50 Greatest Players, a group selected to celebrate the league's 50th anniversary. Many of the greatest players in basketball history gathered in Cleveland for the ceremony, creating one of the most memorable events in NBA history.
1997 NBA All-Star Game FAQ
Who won the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 132-120 on February 9, 1997.
Who was the 1997 NBA All-Star Game MVP?
Glen Rice of the Charlotte Hornets won MVP honors after scoring a game-high 26 points, including 20 in the third quarter.
Where was the 1997 NBA All-Star Game played?
The game was played at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Who scored the most points in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
Glen Rice led all players with 26 points. Latrell Sprewell led the Western Conference with 19 points.
Did Michael Jordan record a triple-double in the 1997 All-Star Game?
Yes. Jordan recorded 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming the first player in NBA All-Star Game history to register a triple-double.
How many points did Glen Rice score in the third quarter?
Rice scored 20 points in the third quarter, setting an NBA All-Star Game record at the time.
How many points did Glen Rice score in the second half?
Rice scored 24 points after halftime, also setting an All-Star Game record at the time.
Who had the most rebounds in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
Vin Baker led all players with 12 rebounds. Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner each collected 11.
Who had the most assists in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
Michael Jordan led the Eastern Conference with 11 assists. Gary Payton led the West with 10.
Which Utah Jazz players appeared in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
John Stockton and Karl Malone represented the Utah Jazz. Stockton scored 12 points and handed out five assists, while Malone added four points and four rebounds.
Was 1997 Kevin Garnett's first NBA All-Star Game?
Yes. Garnett made his first All-Star appearance as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring six points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Did Kobe Bryant play in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
No. Bryant participated in All-Star Weekend as a rookie and won the Slam Dunk Contest, but he was not selected for the main All-Star Game.
Did Allen Iverson play in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
No. Iverson participated in the Rookie Game and won MVP honors but did not play in the main All-Star Game.
Who coached the 1997 NBA All-Star teams?
Doug Collins of the Detroit Pistons coached the Eastern Conference, while Rudy Tomjanovich of the Houston Rockets coached the Western Conference.
How many fans attended the 1997 NBA All-Star Game?
The announced attendance at Gund Arena was 20,592.
Who won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers won the Slam Dunk Contest.
Who won the 1997 NBA Three-Point Shootout?
Steve Kerr of the Chicago Bulls won the Three-Point Shootout.
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