The1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 30th season for theMilwaukee Bucks in theNational Basketball Association.^[1] The Bucks received the tenth overall pick in the1997 NBA draft, and selected power forwardDanny Fortson from theUniversity of Cincinnati, but soon traded him to theDenver Nuggets in exchange forErvin Johnson.^[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guardTerrell Brandon, and former All-Star forwardTyrone Hill from theCleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade,^[5][6][7] signed free agentMichael Curry,^[8][9] and re-signed former Bucks star and sixth manRicky Pierce in December.^[10][11][12]

With the addition of Brandon, Hill and Johnson, the Bucks won four of their first five games of the regular season. However, after an 11–8 start to the season, the team then posted a 5-game losing streak afterwards, and began to fall under .500 inwinning percentage. After holding an 18–22 record as of January 20, 1998, the Bucks recovered and posted a six-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 24–23 record at the All-Star break.^[13] However, withGlenn Robinson out for the remainder of the season due to a season-ending left knee injury after 56 games,^[14][15][16] while Brandon only played just 50 games due to an ankle injury,^[17][18][19] and Hill only appeared in 57 games due to a knee injury, and a strained back,^[20][21][22] the Bucks struggled and posted a nine-game losing streak in March, losing 13 of their 16 games during that month. The team finished in seventh place in theCentral Division with a 36–46 record, missing theNBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.^[23]

Robinson averaged 23.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while second-year starRay Allen had a stellar season, averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and leading the Bucks with 134 three-point field goals, and Brandon provided the team with 16.8 points, 7.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. In addition, Hill contributed 10.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, whileArmen Gilliam provided with 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Johnson averaged 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game,Elliot Perry provided with 7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Curry contributed 6.6 points per game,^[24] and finished tied in sixth place inSixth Man of the Year voting.^[25]

One notable highlight of the regular season was a game between the Bucks, and the 2-time defending NBA championChicago Bulls at theUnited Center on January 2, 1998; Robinson and All-Star guardMichael Jordan both scored 44 points each, while Brandon and Gilliam both posted double-doubles, as Brandon scored 24 points along with 13 assists, and Gilliam contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls defeated the Bucks, 114–100.^[26][27][28]

The Bucks finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 638,034 at theBradley Center during the regular season.^[24][29] Following the season, Pierce retired after playing in his second stint with the Bucks,^[30] whileAndrew Lang signed as a free agent with theChicago Bulls,^[31][32] and head coachChris Ford was fired after coaching the Bucks for two seasons.^[33][34][35]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	10	Danny Fortson	PF	United States	Cincinnati
2	38	Jerald Honeycutt	SF	United States	Tulane

1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From G 34 Ray Allen 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1975–07–20 Connecticut G 7 Terrell Brandon 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon G/F 12 Michael Curry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern C 11 Jamie Feick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1974–07–03 Michigan State F 10 Armen Gilliam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–28 UNLV G 9 Litterial Green 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1970–03–07 Georgia F 42 Tyrone Hill 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–03–19 Xavier F 25 Jerald Honeycutt 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1974–10–20 Tulane C 40 Ervin Johnson 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1967–12–21 New Orleans C 28 Andrew Lang 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1966–06–28 Arkansas G 5 Elliot Perry 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1969–03–28 Memphis G 22 Ricky Pierce 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959–08–19 Rice F 13 Glenn Robinson  6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–01–10 Purdue

Head coach Chris Ford Assistant(s) Jim Todd Dick Versace Mike Woodson Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Player statistics citation:^[24]

Player Transactions Citation:^[36]

• 1997-98 NBA season

• Milwaukee Bucks seasons
• 1997 in sports in Wisconsin
• 1998 in sports in Wisconsin
• 1997–98 NBA season by team

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from August 2023