1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season
The 1998, 99 San Antonio Spurs season began on the 5th of February 1999. A league-wide lockout had cut the regular schedule from 82 games down to just 50. This compressed timeline forced every team to adapt quickly or risk falling behind before the playoffs even started. The Spurs entered this shortened window with a roster that had seen significant changes during the off-season. On the 24th of June 1998, they traded Carl Herrera and first-round draft pick Felipe Lopez to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for guard Antonio Daniels. They also signed free agents Mario Elie and Jerome Kersey. Another key acquisition was three-point specialist Steve Kerr, who came over from the Chicago Bulls. These moves set the stage for a team that would eventually finish with a league-best record despite starting slow.
Tim Duncan posted a promising rookie season but the team struggled early. The Spurs posted a 6, 8 record in February after the lockout ended. They lost four of their first eight games while trying to find rhythm under the new constraints. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in March and April. The team won 31 of their final 36 games of the regular season. This surge allowed them to finish in first place in the Midwest Division with a 37, 13 record. That mark was roughly equivalent to 61, 21 in a full season. It earned them the first seed in the Western Conference. David Robinson averaged 15.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game during this stretch. Sean Elliott contributed 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Avery Johnson added 9.7 points and 7.4 assists per game. Off the bench, Jaren Jackson provided 6.4 points per game as a three-point specialist. Malik Rose averaged 6.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. The roster depth proved vital when the schedule compressed so tightly.
The Spurs faced the 8th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference First Round. Kevin Garnett led that team alongside Terrell Brandon and Joe Smith. San Antonio won Game 1 at home by a score of 99, 86 at the Alamodome. They then lost Game 2 at home, 80, 71, which evened the series. The Spurs won the next two games on the road. A key moment came in Game 4 at the Target Center where they defeated the Timberwolves 92, 85 to win the series in four games. In the Semi-finals, they met the 4th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Glen Rice formed an All-Star trio for the Lakers. The Spurs won the first two games over the Lakers at the Alamodome. They then took the next two games on the road. A Game 4 win over the Lakers at the Great Western Forum ended with a 118, 107 score. This sweep advanced them to the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Isaiah Rider, Rasheed Wallace, and Damon Stoudamire led Portland. After winning Game 1 at the Alamodome, 80, 76, the Spurs trailed by 17 points in Game 2. They made a fourth-quarter run that culminated with a game-winning three-pointer from Sean Elliott. That shot was dubbed the Memorial Day Miracle as the team defeated the Trail Blazers at home, 86, 85. They won the next two games on the road including a Game 4 win over the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden Arena, 94, 80. This second four-game sweep made them the first former ABA team to reach the NBA Finals.
In the 1999 NBA Finals, the Spurs faced the 8th-seeded New York Knicks. Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell formed the core of the Knicks roster. However, Ewing was out due to a ruptured Achilles tendon injury sustained during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The Spurs won the first two games at home at the Alamodome. Attendance reached 39,514 for Game 1 and 39,554 for Game 2. These were record crowds for an NBA Finals game. They lost Game 3 to the Knicks on the road, 89, 81 at Madison Square Garden. The Spurs won their next two road games. In Game 5, they defeated the Knicks 78, 77 at Madison Square Garden. With time running out in that final game, Avery Johnson hit a long clutch shot from the corner with 47 seconds remaining. That basket gave the Spurs a one-point lead. It secured their first ever NBA championship in franchise history. Tim Duncan was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Steve Kerr became the first non-Celtic player to win four straight championships after winning titles with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998.
Common questions
When did the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs season begin?
The 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs season began on the 5th of February 1999. A league-wide lockout had cut the regular schedule from 82 games down to just 50.
How many wins and losses did the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs finish with in the regular season?
The team finished with a 37, 13 record after winning 31 of their final 36 games of the regular season. This mark earned them the first seed in the Western Conference.
Who won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs?
Tim Duncan was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs. The team secured their first ever NBA championship in franchise history during this series.
What happened to Patrick Ewing before the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs played the New York Knicks?
Patrick Ewing was out due to a ruptured Achilles tendon injury sustained during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He could not play for the New York Knicks during the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs matchup.
Why is Steve Kerr significant to the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs legacy?
Steve Kerr became the first non-Celtic player to win four straight championships after winning titles with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998. He joined the 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs as a key three-point specialist acquisition.