The Rockets began the regular season with a 21–2 start, but later on struggled posting a six-game losing streak between January and February, and held a 32–16 record at the All-Star break.
[13] At mid-season, the team signed free agents Eddie Johnson and Sedale Threatt,[14][15] as the Rockets won 14 of their final 17 games, finishing in second place in the Midwest Division with a 57–25 record.
[22] Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich all represented the Western Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio.
[39][40][41] The Rockets would win Game 7 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals,[42][43][44][45] where they faced regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.
[citation needed] During the 1996 offseason, Charles Barkley was traded from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant, and Chucky Brown.