1998–99 Utah Jazz season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Utah Jazz 1999 37 13 Midwest 2 3 Jerry Sloan Tim Howells Larry H. Miller Delta Center Conference semifinals(lost to Trail Blazers 2–4) UTA KJZZ-TV Fox Sports Utah KFNZ The 1998–99 Utah Jazz season was the 25th season for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association, and their 20th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/ August 10, 2026 Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50. CBS News.com Staff NBA: Let The Games Begin! CBS News January 6, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-let-the-games-begin/ December 15, 2022 Season summary Off-season The Jazz entered the regular season once again as runners-up in the NBA Finals, having lost back-to-back NBA Finals to the Chicago Bulls, both in six games. However, with Michael Jordan retiring for a second time, Adande J.A. Say It Ain't So, Mike Los Angeles Times January 12, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-12-sp-62770-story.html January 9, 2023 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: As Jordan Retires, Legend Swells The New York Times January 13, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/13/sports/pro-basketball-as-jordan-retires-legend-swells.html July 1, 2022 Justice Richard Jordan Announces Retirement The Washington Post January 14, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/14/jordan-announces-retirement/9d207d2e-5852-415f-8b82-bccf89a0066a/ January 9, 2023 Scottie Pippen being traded to the Houston Rockets, Smith Sam Bulls Shippin' Pippen Chicago Tribune January 19, 1999 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-19-9901190055-story.html May 25, 2022 Dennis Rodman signing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, Rodman Signs Lakers Contract Chicago Tribune February 23, 1999 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-02-24-9902240270-story.html May 25, 2022 and Phil Jackson's contract expiring, Smith Sam Jackson to Call It Quits Chicago Tribune June 22, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-06-22-9806240014-story,amp.html July 31, 2021 the Bulls dynasty that headlined much of the 1990s was dramatically dismantled, and the Jazz hoped to make the NBA Finals for a third time. During the off-season, the team re-signed free agent, and former Jazz forward Thurl Bailey, who came out of his retirement; Bailey last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 1993–94 season. Beacham Greg Bailey Couldn't Be Happier Back in Utah Leading Jazz Los Angeles Times May 23, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-23-sp-40145-story.html June 19, 2021 Jorgensen Loren Bailey Feeling More Secure with Jazz Deseret News March 5, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/3/5/19432712/bailey-feeling-more-secure-with-jazz November 7, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 For the season, the Jazz revealed new black alternate road uniforms, which featured copper side panels on their jerseys and shorts; these uniforms would remain in use until 2004. Utah Jazz Alternate Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/sevf7grflxh0f7cfiotihnfgo/Utah_Jazz/1999/Alternate_Uniform July 7, 2021 Regular season The Jazz got off to a 19–4 start to the regular season, and later on posted an 11-game winning streak in April. However, the team played around .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, but managed to finish in second place in the Midwest Division with a league-best 37–13 record, earning the third seed in the Western Conference; 1998–99 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1999_games.html June 22, 2021 however, their record was tied with the San Antonio Spurs, who won the Midwest Division title by a tie-breaker. The Jazz qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 16th consecutive year. Karl Malone averaged 23.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year for the second time; he was also named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Jorgensen Loren It's Official: 2nd MVP Delivered to Malone; But Mailman Balks at Televised Event in N.Y. Deseret News June 3, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/6/3/19448948/it-s-official-2nd-mvp-delivered-to-malone-br-but-mailman-balks-at-televised-event-in-n-y January 30, 2023 Associated Press N.B.A.: M.V.P. Award: Malone Wins 2d Award in 3 Years The New York Times June 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/04/sports/nba-mvp-award-malone-wins-2d-award-in-3-years.html May 25, 2022 NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mvp.html November 29, 2022 In addition, Bryon Russell returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench the previous season, averaging 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 12.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, and John Stockton provided the team with 11.1 points, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Meanwhile, Greg Ostertag averaged 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, while off the bench, Shandon Anderson contributed 8.5 points per game, and Howard Eisley provided with 7.5 points and 3.7 assists per game. 1998–99 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1999.html June 22, 2021 Russell and Ostertag both finished tied in tenth place in Most Improved Player voting, 1998–99 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1999.html October 23, 2025 while Eisley finished in eighth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and head coach Jerry Sloan finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting. Associated Press Dunleavy Honored as Top Coach Los Angeles Times May 22, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-22-sp-39915-story.html November 14, 2022 The Jazz finished fourth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 493,120 at the Delta Center during the regular season. 1998–99 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html October 10, 2025 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Jazz faced off against the 6th–seeded Sacramento Kings, a team that featured All-Star forward Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and rookie point guard Jason Williams. With the series tied at 1–1, the Jazz struggled and faced elimination after losing Game 3 to the Kings on the road in overtime, 84–81 at the ARCO Arena II as the Kings took a 2–1 series lead. Associated Press N.B.A.: Roundup: Sacramento Surprise: Utah Near Elimination The New York Times May 13, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/13/sports/nba-roundup-sacramento-surprise-utah-near-elimination.html January 21, 2022 Associated Press Jazz Gets a King-Sized Problem Los Angeles Times May 13, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-13-sp-36892-story.html October 12, 2022 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings Box Score, May 12, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905120SAC.html June 8, 2026 However, the Jazz managed to win Game 4 on the road, 90–89 to even the series, Guzman Ed N.B.A.: Stockton Forces a Game 5 The New York Times May 15, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/nba-stockton-forces-a-game-5.html January 21, 2022 Adande J.A. Victory Gets Jazz Back in Series Los Angeles Times May 15, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-15-sp-37509-story.html October 12, 2022 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings Box Score, May 14, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905140SAC.html June 8, 2026 and then won Game 5 over the Kings at home in overtime, 99–92 at the Delta Center to win in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs: Jazz Extended to Overtime, But Beats the Upstart Kings The New York Times May 17, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/17/sports/nba-playoffs-jazz-extended-to-overtime-but-beats-the-upstart-kings.html May 25, 2022 Adande J.A. Jazz Not Feeling Like a Kingpin Los Angeles Times May 17, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-17-sp-38186-story.html June 3, 2022 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round: Kings vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-western-conference-first-round-kings-vs-jazz.html February 9, 2023 In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by Isaiah Rider, Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire. The Jazz had home-court advantage in the series since they finished with a better regular-season record than the Trail Blazers. Despite this, the Trail Blazers took a 3–1 series lead, but the Jazz managed to win Game 5 at home, 88–71 at the Delta Center. 1999 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Game 5: Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz Box Score, May 25, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905250UTA.html June 8, 2026 However, the Jazz lost Game 6 to the Trail Blazers on the road, 92–80 at the Rose Garden Arena, thus losing the series in six games. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs: Trail Blazers Stop Malone and Send the Jazz Home The New York Times May 28, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/28/sports/nba-playoffs-trail-blazers-stop-malone-and-send-the-jazz-home.html May 25, 2022 Adande J.A. Malone and Jazz Finally Fall Flat Los Angeles Times May 28, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-28-sp-42042-story.html May 30, 2022 1999 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-western-conference-semifinals-trail-blazers-vs-jazz.html February 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Anderson signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets, Associated Press Rockets Sign S. Anderson CBS News September 29, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rockets-sign-s-anderson/#app January 9, 2023 Transactions The New York Times September 30, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/30/sports/transactions-737291.html October 3, 2022 while Greg Foster signed with the Seattle SuperSonics, Associated Press Foster Signs with Sonics CBS News August 17, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/foster-signs-with-sonics/ January 9, 2023 Wise Mike 1999–2000 N.B.A. Preview: The West Is Still the Best The New York Times October 31, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html January 16, 2022 and Bailey retired for the second time. Draft picks 1998 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 29 Nazr Mohammed C/PF United States Kentucky 2 57 Torraye Braggs PF/C United States Xavier Roster Utah Jazz 1998–99 #4D1A7F #FFFFFF #008290 #FFFFFF 40 Shandon Anderson G/F 6 6 208 1973–12–31 University of Georgia 54 Anthony Avent F 6 9 235 1969–10–18 Seton Hall 41 Thurl Bailey F/C 6 11 215 1961–04–07 North Carolina State 10 Howard Eisley G 6 2 177 1972–12–04 Boston College 44 Greg Foster basketball F/C 6 11 240 1968–10–03 University of Texas at El Paso 52 Todd Fuller C 6 11 255 1974–07–25 North Carolina State 14 Jeff Hornacek G 6 3 190 1963–05–03 Iowa State 31 Adam Keefe basketball F 6 9 230 1970–02–22 Stanford 32 Karl Malone F 6 9 250 1963–07–24 Louisiana Tech 00 Greg Ostertag C 7 2 280 1973–03–06 Kansas 3 Bryon Russell F 6 7 225 1970–12–31 Long Beach State 12 John Stockton G 6 1 170 1962–03–26 Gonzaga 11 Jacque Vaughn G 6 1 190 1975–02–11 Kansas Jerry Sloan Gordon Chiesa David Fredman Phil Johnson Mark McKown Kenny Natt https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1999.html March 2, 1999 Regular season Season standings UTA UTA Game log Playoffs Utah Jazz 1999 yes #4D1A7F #5DADEC Utah Jazz First round yes no yes #008290 #FFFFFF 2 1 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 8 | Sacramento | W 117–87 | Karl Malone (21) | Greg Ostertag (9) | Karl Malone (9) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 10 | Sacramento | L 90–101 | Karl Malone (33) | Karl Malone (10) | Eisley, Stockton (6) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 12 | @ Sacramento | L 81–84 (OT) | Karl Malone (22) | Karl Malone (13) | Malone, Stockton (5) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 14 | @ Sacramento | W 90–89 | Karl Malone (23) | Karl Malone (16) | John Stockton (8) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 16 | Sacramento | W 99–92 (OT) | Karl Malone (20) | Karl Malone (12) | John Stockton (14) | Delta Center19,911 | 3–2 |- Utah Jazz Conference Semi-finals no yes #008290 #FFFFFF 2 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 18 | Portland | W 93–83 | Karl Malone (25) | Karl Malone (12) | John Stockton (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 20 | Portland | L 81–84 | Karl Malone (23) | Karl Malone (17) | John Stockton (9) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 22 | @ Portland | L 87–97 | Karl Malone (25) | Karl Malone (14) | John Stockton (5) | Rose Garden20,720 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 23 | @ Portland | L 75–81 | Malone, Russell (17) | Karl Malone (11) | John Stockton (10) | Rose Garden20,720 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 25 | Portland | W 88–71 | Karl Malone (23) | Ostertag, Russell (9) | John Stockton (14) | Delta Center19,911 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | May 27 | @ Portland | L 80–92 | Jeff Hornacek (21) | Karl Malone (7) | John Stockton (10) | Rose Garden20,727 | 2–4 |- UTA 1999 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGShandon Anderson 50 2 21.4 .446 .341 .712 2.6 1.1 .8 .2 8.5Anthony Avent 5 0 8.8 .308 .500 2.4 .2 .4 .0 1.8Thurl Bailey 43 0 12.6 .446 .000 .735 2.2 .6 .2 .7 4.2Howard Eisley 50 0 20.8 .446 .420 .838 1.9 3.7 .6 .0 7.4Greg Foster basketball 42 1 10.9 .377 .250 .619 2.0 .6 .1 .2 2.8Todd Fuller 42 2 11.0 .452 .600 2.4 .1 .1 .3 3.4Jeff Hornacek 48 48 29.9 .477 .420 .893 3.3 4.0 1.1 .3 12.2Adam Keefe basketball 44 0 14.6 .452 .000 .697 3.2 .6 .4 .3 4.0Chris King basketball 8 0 5.3 .286 .000 1.4 .1 .3 .1 .5Karl Malone 49 49 37.4 .493 .000 .788 9.4 4.1 1.3 .6 23.8Greg Ostertag 48 48 27.9 .476 .620 7.3 .5 .3 2.7 5.7Bryon Russell 50 50 35.4 .464 .354 .795 5.3 1.5 1.5 .3 12.4John Stockton 50 50 28.2 .488 .320 .811 2.9 7.5 1.6 .3 11.1Jacque Vaughn 19 0 4.6 .367 .250 .833 .6 .6 .3 .0 2.3 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGShandon Anderson 11 0 27.0 .481 .429 .706 3.7 1.2 .5 .3 9.5Thurl Bailey 11 0 10.5 .515 .750 1.4 .2 .3 .5 3.4Howard Eisley 11 0 21.9 .366 .208 .828 1.8 2.9 .6 .3 7.4Greg Foster basketball 8 0 8.8 .421 1.0 .1 .1 .0 2.0Todd Fuller 10 0 10.5 .385 .600 2.8 .0 .0 .2 2.6Jeff Hornacek 11 11 27.6 .462 .389 .879 3.7 2.4 1.0 .0 12.2Adam Keefe basketball 10 0 10.1 .600 1.000 2.4 .3 .4 .3 4.1Karl Malone 11 11 41.0 .417 .000 .791 11.3 4.7 1.2 .7 21.8Greg Ostertag 11 11 23.7 .371 .643 5.9 .5 .2 2.2 4.0Bryon Russell 11 11 35.2 .426 .250 .722 6.1 1.2 1.8 .2 12.1John Stockton 11 11 32.0 .400 .333 .739 3.3 8.4 1.6 .1 11.1Jacque Vaughn 2 0 3.0 .500 1.000 .0 1.0 .0 .0 1.5 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Karl Malone, NBA Most Valuable Player Award Karl Malone, All-NBA First Team John Stockton, All-NBA Third Team Karl Malone, NBA All-Defensive First Team References Category:Utah Jazz seasons Utah Utah Utah