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Utah Jazz host 1997 Finals team for 20-year reunion

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah Jazz hosted members of the 1997 Finals team Wednesday night for a 20-year reunion.

Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan, Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton, Bryon Russell, Greg Ostertag and others were in attendance. The game was scheduled against the New York Knicks so coach Jeff Hornacek, who was a member of the team, could participate. The Jazz have retired Hornacek's No. 14.

Hall of Famer Karl Malone had a conflict and did not attend, but a video message featuring Malone played on the scoreboard.

The festivities included a dinner Tuesday, media sessions Wednesday afternoon and a halftime ceremony. The players received plaques at halftime.

The Jazz advanced to the Finals off a game-winning 3-pointer from Stockton to beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. They lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games in the NBA Finals.

Former Utah Jazz player John Stockton waits on a rebound as his son shoots in the background, between media interviews at the NBA basketball team's practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA Finals was scheduled to gather for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Jazz. later Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz player John Stockton from 1997, shoots in between media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz player John Stockton from 1997, guards his son in between media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA Finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz player from 1997 Greg Ostertag, right, shakes hands with Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert during media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA Finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz player from 1997, Antoine Carr speaks to reporters during media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan looks on during media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz players from 1997, John Stockton, right, and Antoine Carr shake hands in between media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz players from 1997, Bryon Russell, left, and Greg Ostertag, right, speaks with reporters during media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Former Utah Jazz player John Stockton from 1997, shoots the basket in between media interviews at the Jazz practice facility Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz team that reached the 1997 NBA finals will gather at Vivint Smart Home Arena for a 20-year reunion celebration during halftime between the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
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