The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season in Atlanta. In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by picking up free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo, while re-signing Tyrone Corbin during the offseason. Other free agents included Eldridge Recasner, former Georgia Tech guard Jon Barry and Henry James, who was later on signed by the team in December. The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but later on posted a 14–2 record in January including a ten-game winning streak. The team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12 to February 12. The Hawks finished second in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5.

Mutombo would capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors by finishing second in the NBA in rebounding, and blocked shots. He was also selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game along with Christian Laettner. Mutombo was not the only member of the club to excel on defense as guard Mookie Blaylock led the NBA in steals, while finishing second in the league with 221 three-point field goals. Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring averaging 20.1 points per game.

In the playoffs, the Hawks would be put to the test as they needed five games to get past the Detroit Pistons after trailing 2–1 in the first round. However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals as they fell in five games to the eventual Champions, despite winning Game 2 at the United Center 103–95. It was also their final season playing at The Omni. Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, James re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ken Norman retired.

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