NBA Live 97 is a basketball game that focuses on realism. You can choose from all of the NBA teams, create a team with players you design yourself, or join a team formed by the All-Star players of the east or west coasts. When creating your own player, you can customize them to a high degree. There are over 60 offensive and 10 defensive set-ups. Match options include an exhibition match, a whole season, or the playoffs.
The gameplay is similar to other sports games from that era. Players control your team's players on the court, using a combination of buttons to perform different actions such as dribbling, shooting, and passing. The game also features a variety of sound effects and visuals to enhance the playing experience.