1997 WNBA season

The 1997 WNBA season was the Women's National Basketball Association's inaugural season. It started off with 8 franchises: Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and the Utah Starzz. It featured an inaugural game between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks lost to the New York Liberty, 67–57. The attendance at the Forum was 14,284. The season ended with the Comets defeating the Liberty in a one-game series 65–51. Cynthia Cooper was named MVP of the game.

Regular season

Standings

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Note: Teams with an "X" clinched playoff spots.

Playoffs

Awards

Reference:

Individual

Team

Players of the Week

Coaches

Eastern Conference

• Charlotte Sting: Marynell Meadors
• Cleveland Rockers: Linda Hill-MacDonald
• Houston Comets: Van Chancellor
• New York Liberty: Nancy Darsch

Western Conference

• Los Angeles Sparks: Linda Sharp
• Phoenix Mercury: Cheryl Miller
• Sacramento Monarchs: Mary Murphy and Heidi VanDerveer
• Utah Starzz: Denise Taylor

References