1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Milwaukee Bucks 1999 28 22 Central 4 7 George Karl Bob Weinhauer Herb Kohl Bradley Center WVTV Midwest Sports Channel WTMJ First round(lost to Pacers 0–3) MIL The 1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 31st season for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association. Milwaukee Bucks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ August 8, 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 Bucks received the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and selected power forward, and German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki; the team also selected power forward Pat Garrity from the University of Notre Dame with the 19th overall pick. However, the Bucks soon traded Nowitzki, and Garrity to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Robert Traylor from the University of Michigan on draft day; the Mavericks then traded Garrity to the Phoenix Suns in a separate draft day trade. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 The New York Times June 25, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-7-feet-1-inch-of-potential-at-no-1.html July 25, 2021 Associated Press Olowokandi Is the Center of Attention Los Angeles Times June 25, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-25-sp-63550-story.html October 18, 2022 1998 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1998.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the Bucks signed free agents, three-point specialist Dell Curry, Associated Press NBA Dealings: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign Kitsap Sun January 23, 1999 https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/01-23/0066_nba_dealings__mcdyess__divac_and_.html June 25, 2023 Bucks Add Veteran Curry United Press International January 23, 1999 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/01/23/Bucks-add-veteran-Curry/1858917067600/ February 2, 2023 Associated Press Bucks' Victory Will Cost Karl Dinner Money Los Angeles Times April 1, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-01-sp-23208-story.html October 3, 2022 and Vinny Del Negro. Del Negro Becomes a Buck CBS News January 30, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/del-negro-becomes-a-buck/ July 1, 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 The team also hired George Karl as their new head coach; Karl previously coached the Seattle SuperSonics, and led them to the 1996 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games. CBS News.com Staff Karl Named New Coach of Bucks CBS News August 29, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/karl-named-new-coach-of-bucks/#app December 15, 2022 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball -- Milwaukee: George Karl to Coach Bucks The New York Times August 30, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/30/sports/plus-pro-basketball-milwaukee-george-karl-to-coach-bucks.html December 30, 2021 Staff and Wire Reports Karl Gets Job to Turn Bucks Into Winners Los Angeles Times August 30, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-30-sp-18080-story.html September 30, 2022 Regular season Under Karl and with the addition of Dell Curry, Del Negro and Traylor, the Bucks won five of their first six games of the regular season, and posted a six-game winning streak between February and March. At mid-season, the team traded Terrell Brandon to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and acquired Sam Cassell and Chris Gatling from the New Jersey Nets, in exchange for Elliot Perry in a three-team trade; Broussard Chris Marbury, a Schoolyard Hero, Returns to Don a Nets Jersey The New York Times March 12, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/12/sports/marbury-a-schoolyard-hero-returns-to-don-a-nets-jersey.html May 25, 2022 Associated Press Marbury Traded to Nets; Timberwolves Get Brandon Los Angeles Times March 12, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-12-sp-16542-story.html July 1, 2022 Smith Sam Nets, 76ers Appear to Benefit from Heavy Trading Chicago Tribune March 12, 1999 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-03-12-9903120436-story.html June 24, 2023 however, Cassell only played just four games with the team due to an ankle injury he sustained with the Nets. Popper Steve Pro Basketball: Cassell May Be Tonic Aching Nets Need The New York Times February 13, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/13/sports/pro-basketball-cassell-may-be-tonic-aching-nets-need.html October 3, 2022 Bucks Activate Sam Cassell Associated Press May 1, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/8bfbd23e1a4218b8b93e773d9f92eff8 October 3, 2022 Kerber Fred Cassell Feels Net Pain: Says His Injury Doomed Calipari New York Post May 6, 1999 https://nypost.com/1999/05/06/cassell-feels-net-pain-says-his-injury-doomed-calipari/ January 9, 2023 In another mid-season trade, the Bucks traded Tyrone Hill, and second-year forward Jerald Honeycutt to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for second-year forward Tim Thomas, and Scott Williams, Marbury Heads Home Deseret News March 12, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/3/12/19433978/marbury-heads-home January 9, 2023 and also signed free agent Haywoode Workman. Associated Press Bucks Re-Sign Workman Guard CBS News August 9, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bucks-re-sign-workman-guard/#app December 27, 2022 The Bucks played above .500 in winning percentage for the entire season, and finished in fourth place in the Central Division with a 28–22 record, earning the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference; 1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1999_games.html June 26, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1990–91 season, ending a seven-year playoff drought. Glenn Robinson averaged 18.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Ray Allen averaged 17.1 points and 3.6 assists per game, and led the Bucks with 74 three-point field goals, and Cassell provided the team with 13.8 points, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game off the bench during his short four-game stint. In addition, Dell Curry contributed 10.1 points per game and 69 three-point field goals off the bench, while shooting .476 in three-point field-goal percentage, while Thomas provided with 8.5 points per game in 33 games, and Armen Gilliam averaged 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Gatling contributed 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 30 games, Workman provided with 6.9 points and 5.9 assists per game, and Del Negro contributed 5.9 points and 3.6 assists per game. On the defensive side, Traylor was the team's starting center, averaging 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, while off the bench, Ervin Johnson averaged 5.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and Michael Curry contributed 4.9 points per game. 1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1999.html June 26, 2021 Robinson finished tied in 16th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1998–99 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1999.html October 23, 2025 while Dell Curry finished tied in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting; Workman finished tied in tenth place in Most Improved Player voting, Michael Curry finished tied in seventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Karl finished tied in eighth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Bucks finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 381,948 at the Bradley Center during the regular season. 1998–99 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html January 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Bucks faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Central Division champion Indiana Pacers, who were led by All-Star guard Reggie Miller, All-Star center Rik Smits, and sixth man Jalen Rose. The Bucks lost the first two games to the Pacers on the road at the Market Square Arena, before losing Game 3 at home, 99–91 at the Bradley Center, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Schoffner Chuck Perkins, Pacers Finish Off Bucks, 99-91 The Washington Post May 13, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/playoffs/indmil14.htm June 3, 2022 Associated Press Pacers Send the Bucks Packing Los Angeles Times May 14, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-14-sp-37284-story.html May 25, 2022 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bucks vs. Pacers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bucks-vs-pacers.html February 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Dell Curry signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors, Associated Press Curry Dumps Bucks for Raptors CBS News August 6, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/curry-dumps-bucks-for-raptors/ January 2, 2022 Associated Press Magic's Gone, So Hardaway Traded Los Angeles Times August 6, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-06-sp-63195-story.html July 4, 2023 Associated Press Suns Strike Free-Agent Gold by Making Deal for Penny Deseret News August 6, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/6/19459273/suns-strike-free-agent-gold-by-making-deal-for-penny July 2, 2023 while Gatling and Gilliam were both traded to the Orlando Magic, Associated Press Bucks & Magic 4-Player Trade CBS News August 19, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bucks-magic-4-player-trade/ July 3, 2023 Associated Press Plus: N.B.A. -- Milwaukee: Manning and Ellis Headed to Bucks The New York Times August 20, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/20/sports/plus-nba-milwaukee-manning-and-ellis-headed-to-bucks.html October 17, 2022 Associated Press Magic Trades Ellis, Manning to Bucks Los Angeles Times August 20, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-20-sp-2150-story.html July 4, 2023 and Michael Curry re-signed with his former team, the Detroit Pistons. Associated Press Pistons to Sign Michael Curry CBS News August 2, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pistons-to-sign-michael-curry/ July 4, 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 June 8, 2022 Draft picks 1998 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club 1 9 Dirk Nowitzki PF/SF GER DJK Würzburg 1 19 Pat Garrity PF/SF Notre Dame 2 39 Rafer Alston PG Fresno State The Bucks entered the draft with two first-round picks (one of which was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers) and one second-round pick. The Bucks used their 9th and 19th pick to draft future Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity, respectively, but traded their rights to the Dallas Mavericks for the rights to the 6th pick, Robert Traylor. Roster Milwaukee Bucks 1998–99 #4B0082 #FFFFFF #00471B #FFFFFF 8 Jerome Allen basketball G 6 4 184 1973–01–28 Penn IN 34 Ray Allen G/F 6 5 205 1975–07–20 Connecticut 20 Sam Cassell G 6 3 185 1969–11–18 Florida State 30 Dell Curry G 6 4 190 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech 12 Michael Curry basketball F 6 5 210 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern 15 Vinny Del Negro G 6 4 189 1966–08–09 NC State yes 25 Chris Gatling F/C 6 10 220 1967–09–03 Old Dominion 10 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964–05–28 UNLV 7 Paul Grant basketball C 7 0 255 1974–01–06 Wisconsin 40 Ervin Johnson C 6 11 245 1967–12–21 New Orleans 13 Glenn Robinson F 6 7 240 1973–01–10 Purdue 5 Tim Thomas basketball F 6 10 1977–02–26 240 Villanova 54 Robert Traylor C 6 8 290 1977–02–01 Michigan 42 Scott Williams basketball F/C 6 10 230 1968–03–21 North Carolina yes 3 Haywoode Workman G 6 2 180 1966–01–23 Oral Roberts George Karl Ron Adams Mike McNeive Terry Stotts Mike Thibault Mike Woodson https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1999.html Roster Notes Shooting guard Jerome Allen was signed by the Bucks near the end of the regular season, but did not play for them. Regular season Season standings MIL MIL z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Milwaukee Bucks 1999 #4B0082 #FFFFFF Total: 28–22 (home: 17–8; road: 11–14) Milwaukee Bucks February yes #00471B white 2 2 4 3 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 1 || February 6, 1999 || @ Charlotte | W 113–107 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum18,820 | 1–0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 2 || February 9, 1999 || @ Toronto | W 91–77 | | | | Maple Leaf Gardens14,577 | 2–0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 3 || February 11, 1999 || New Jersey | W 95–75 | | | | Bradley Center18,031 | 3–0 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || February 14, 1999 || @ Orlando | L 82–85 | | | | Orlando Arena15,914 | 3–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 5 || February 16, 1999 || @ Philadelphia | W 93–92 | | | | First Union Center10,976 | 4–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 6 || February 17, 1999 || Chicago | W 91–83 | | | | Bradley Center14,682 | 5–1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 7 || February 19, 1999 || @ Toronto | L 82–90 | | | | SkyDome14,888 | 5–2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || February 20, 1999 || Indiana | L 80–82 | | | | Bradley Center18,173 | 5–3 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 9 || February 23, 1999 || @ Chicago | W 90–88 | | | | United Center22,302 | 6–3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 10 || February 26, 1999 || @ Denver | L 95–96 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena10,926 | 6–4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 11 || February 28, 1999 || Philadelphia | L 76–87 | | | | Bradley Center17,586 | 6–5 Milwaukee Bucks March #00471B white 0 0 0 0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 12 || March 2, 1999 || @ New Jersey | W 94–86 | | | | Continental Airlines Arena15,180 | 7–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 13 || March 3, 1999 || Golden State | W 106–78 | | | | Bradley Center12,136 | 8–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 14 || March 5, 1999 || New York | W 88–87 | | | | Bradley Center16,843 | 9–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 15 || March 8, 1999 || Chicago | W 81–76 | | | | Bradley Center12,085 | 10–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 16 || March 9, 1999 || @ New York | W 87–86 | | | | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 11–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 17 || March 10, 1999 || Seattle | W 101–97 | | | | Bradley Center15,692 | 12–5 Milwaukee Bucks April #00471B white 0 0 0 0 Milwaukee Bucks May #00471B white 0 0 0 0 MIL 1999 Playoffs Milwaukee Bucks 1999 yes #4B0082 #FFFFFF Milwaukee Bucks First round yes yes no #00471B white 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 9 | @ Indiana | L 88–110 | Ray Allen (24) | Glenn Robinson (7) | three players tied (3) | Market Square Arena16,560 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 11 | @ Indiana | L 107–108 (OT) | Ray Allen (25) | Glenn Robinson (12) | Sam Cassell (11) | Market Square Arena16,608 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 13 | Indiana | L 91–99 | Glenn Robinson (23) | Ray Allen (11) | Sam Cassell (12) | Bradley Center18,717 | 0–3 |- MIL 1999 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Glenn Robinson 47 47 33.6 45.9 39.2 87.0 5.9 2.1 1.0 0.918.4 Ray Allen 50 50 34.4 45.0 35.6 90.3 4.2 3.6 1.1 0.117.1 Cassell, Sam Sam Cassell 4 0 24.8 40.9 33.3 94.7 2.3 4.3 1.5 0.013.8 Terrell Brandon 15 14 33.7 40.9 25.0 83.9 3.5 6.9 1.6 0.213.5 Dell Curry 42 0 20.6 48.5 47.6 82.4 2.0 1.1 0.9 0.110.1 Tyrone Hill 17 17 30.4 42.4 0.0 56.8 7.9 1.0 1.1 0.58.6 Tim Thomas 33 26 18.9 49.5 32.7 61.4 2.8 0.9 0.7 0.38.5 Armen Gilliam 34 5 19.6 45.3 0.0 78.2 3.7 0.6 0.6 0.48.3 Haywoode Workman 29 29 28.1 42.9 36.2 78.7 3.5 5.9 1.1 0.06.9 Chris Gatling 30 1 16.5 48.2 14.3 36.2 3.8 0.7 0.8 0.26.3 Vinny Del Negro 48 7 22.8 42.2 43.3 80.0 2.1 3.6 0.7 0.15.9 Robert Traylor 49 43 16.0 53.7 0.0 53.8 3.7 0.8 0.9 0.95.3 Johnson, Ervin Ervin Johnson 50 7 20.5 50.8 0.0 61.0 6.4 0.4 0.6 1.15.1 Michael Curry 50 4 22.9 43.7 6.7 79.7 2.2 1.6 0.8 0.14.9 Perry, Elliot Elliot Perry 5 0 9.4 52.9 100.0 50.0 1.6 2.4 0.8 0.04.0 Scott Williams 5 0 5.8 33.3 0.0 57.1 2.4 0.0 0.2 0.22.8 Jerald Honeycutt 3 0 4.0 40.0 0.0 50.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.01.7 Adonis Jordan 4 0 4.5 50.0 0.0 50.0 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.01.5 Paul Grant 2 0 2.5 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.01.0 Jamie Feick 2 0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Allen, Ray Ray Allen 3 3 40.0 53.2 47.4 61.5 7.3 4.3 1.0 0.322.3 Glenn Robinson 3 3 39.3 41.2 50.0 88.9 8.3 1.7 1.0 0.720.7 Sam Cassell 3 3 34.0 50.0 0.0 87.5 2.0 8.7 1.0 0.015.3 Tim Thomas 3 3 20.0 44.4 0.0 58.3 4.0 0.3 0.3 0.37.7 Michael Curry 3 0 19.7 58.3 0.0 100.0 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.36.7 Gilliam, Armen Armen Gilliam 3 0 11.7 40.0 0.0 100.0 1.7 0.3 0.7 0.35.7 Robert Traylor 3 1 15.0 77.8 0.0 50.0 4.0 0.7 0.7 1.35.3 Ervin Johnson 3 2 30.7 46.2 0.0 50.0 6.0 0.3 0.7 1.74.3 Haywoode Workman 3 0 17.7 36.4 0.0 83.3 1.0 2.3 1.0 0.04.3 Dell Curry 3 0 16.3 13.3 12.5 100.0 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.03.0 Chris Gatling 2 0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.00.0 Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades June 24, 1998 To Milwaukee BucksRobert Traylor To Dallas MavericksPat GarrityDirk Nowitzki March 11, 1999 To Milwaukee BucksSam CassellChris GatlingPaul Grant To Minnesota TimberwolvesTerrell BrandonBrian EvansTo New Jersey NetsChris CarrStephon MarburyElliot Perry March 11, 1999 To Milwaukee BucksTim ThomasScott Williams To Philadelphia 76ersTyrone HillJerald Honeycutt Free agents Player Signed Former teamDell CurryJanuary 22, 1999Charlotte HornetsVinny Del NegroFebruary 2, 1999San Antonio Spurs Player Transactions Citation:1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1999_transactions.html July 3, 2021 References See also 1998-99 NBA season Category:Milwaukee Bucks seasons Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee