WNBA Playoffs History: 1997

Houston's Tina Thompson celebrates the Comets' first title. 1997 WNBA Playoffs Gallery Bill Baptist/WNBAE/Getty Images

1997 PLAYOFFS SCORING LEADERS PLAYER TEAM PPG Cynthia Cooper Houston 28.0 Kym Hampton New York 13.5 Tina Thompson Houston 13.0 Rebecca Lobo New York 12.5 Andrea Congreaves Charlotte 12.0 Rhonda Mapp Charlotte 12.0

ASSISTS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM APG Teresa Weatherspoon New York 5.0 Cynthia Cooper Houston 4.5 Rhonda Mapp Charlotte 3.0 Andrea Stinson Charlotte 3.0 Nicole Levesque Charlotte 3.0

A Triumph for the Ages
The clock hadn't completely run out before members of the Houston Comets started to run into each other's arms, jump up and down and raise triumphant fists in the air, all in celebration of the Championship, which would soon be theirs. Their celebration, while a few seconds premature, was on target. When the clock did wind down and the fireworks and confetti started to fly, the Comets had defeated the New York Liberty, 65-51, establishing themselves in history as the first WNBA Champions.

Semifinals
- Houston defeats Charlotte, 1-0
Houston 70, Charlotte 54 (Aug. 28)
Highlights: 56k | 300k

- New York defeats Phoenix, 1-0
New York 59, Phoenix 41 (Aug. 28)
Highlights: 56k | 300k

Final
- Houston defeats New York, 1-0
Houston 65, New York 51 (Aug. 30)
Highlights: 56k | 300k

REBOUNDING LEADERS
PLAYER	TEAM	RPG
Kym Hampton	New York	13.5
Vicky Bullett	Charlotte	9.0
Rebecca Lobo	New York	9.0
Tina Thompson	Houston	9.0
Janeth Arcain	Houston	7.5
Tammy Jackson	Houston	7.5