1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Philadelphia 76ers 1999 28 22 Atlantic 3 6 Larry Brown Billy King Comcast Spectacor First Union Center Conference semifinals(lost to Pacers 0–4) PHI WPSG CSN Philadelphia WIP The 1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 50th season for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, and their 36th season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia 76ers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/ August 9, 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 Wise Mike With Little Time on Clock, NBA and Players Settle The New York Times January 7, 1999 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/010799bkn-labor.html May 17, 2023 Season summary Off-season The 76ers received the eighth overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Larry Hughes out of Saint Louis University. 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 team signed free agents Matt Geiger, George Lynch and Harvey Grant, Associated Press 76ers Add Plenty of New Faces Pocono Record January 22, 1999 https://www.poconorecord.com/story/sports/pro/1999/01/22/76ers-add-plenty-new-faces/51096519007/ October 10, 2022 Adande J.A. Geiger Counter Is Off Los Angeles Times January 30, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-30-sp-3123-story.html October 3, 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 and later on re-signed former 76ers forward Rick Mahorn in late February. CBS News.com Staff Sixers Sign Rick Mahorn CBS News February 24, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sixers-sign-rick-mahorn/ October 14, 2021 Transactions The New York Times February 25, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/25/sports/transactions-516554.html April 6, 2023 Regular season With the addition of Hughes, Geiger and Lynch, the 76ers won their first three games of the regular season, but then lost five of their next six games falling below .500 in winning percentage. However, the team soon recovered and posted a six-game winning streak between February and March. At mid-season, the 76ers traded second-year forward Tim Thomas, and Scott Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Tyrone Hill, and second-year forward Jerald Honeycutt. 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 September 30, 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 Marbury Heads Home Deseret News March 12, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/3/12/19433978/marbury-heads-home January 9, 2023 The 76ers won 9 of their final 13 games of the season, and finished in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 28–22 record, earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference; 1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999_games.html June 23, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1990–91 season, ending a seven-year playoff drought. After playing point guard for the previous two seasons, Allen Iverson switched to the shooting guard position, and led the league in scoring averaging 26.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team. In addition, Geiger averaged 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Theo Ratliff provided the team with 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Hughes contributed 9.1 points per game off the bench. Meanwhile, Eric Snow became the team's starting point guard, averaging 8.6 points, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, Hill contributed 8.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 21 games after the trade, Lynch averaged 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, Aaron McKie provided with 4.8 points and 1.3 steals per game, and Grant contributed 3.1 points per game. 1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999.html June 23, 2021 Iverson finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting, Staff and Wire Reports Malone MVP for Second Time Los Angeles Times June 4, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-04-sp-44217-story.html July 13, 2022 1998–99 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1999.html January 2, 2022 while Ratliff finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting; Snow finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting behind Darrell Armstrong of the Orlando Magic, while Ratliff finished in sixth place, Associated Press Armstrong Wins Most Improved CBS News May 10, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/armstrong-wins-most-improved/ September 30, 2022 and head coach Larry Brown finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting, behind Mike Dunleavy of the Portland Trail Blazers. 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 76ers finished eleventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 436,444 at the First Union 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 76ers faced off against the 3rd–seeded Magic, a team that featured All-Star guard Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, and Armstrong, who was named both Sixth Man, and Most Improved Player of the Year. It was Iverson's first ever NBA playoff appearance. The 76ers won Game 1 over the Magic on the road, 104–90 at the Orlando Arena, but then lost Game 2 on the road, 79–68 as the Magic evened the series. 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic Box Score, May 9, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905090ORL.html June 7, 2026 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic Box Score, May 11, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905110ORL.html June 7, 2026 One notable highlight of the series occurred in Game 3 at the First Union Center, in which Iverson set an NBA playoff record of ten steals in a single game, as the 76ers defeated the Magic by a score of 97–85. Broussard Chris N.B.A. Playoffs: 76ers Pummel the Magic with Speed and Strength The New York Times May 14, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/14/sports/nba-playoffs-76ers-pummel-the-magic-with-speed-and-strength.html May 25, 2022 Wyche Steve Magic Belongs to Iverson The Washington Post May 14, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/05/14/magic-belongs-to-iverson/c98acf39-5f2e-444d-b09e-3064cb52e421/ June 28, 2022 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, May 13, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905130PHI.html June 7, 2026 The 76ers won Game 4 over the Magic at home, 101–91 to win the series in four games. Broussard Chris Inspired by Fans Starved for Victory, 76ers Eliminate Magic The New York Times May 16, 1999 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/051699bkn-sixers.html May 25, 2022 Wyche Steve Iverson's Tricks Make the Magic Disappear The Washington Post May 15, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/playoffs/sixers16.htm May 30, 2022 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Magic Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-76ers-vs-magic.html February 9, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team 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 76ers lost the first two games to the Pacers on the road at the Market Square Arena, and then lost the next two games at home, including a Game 4 loss to the Pacers at the First Union Center, 89–86, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep. Berkow Ira N.B.A. Playoffs: Pacers Bury the 76ers, and Then Praise Them The New York Times May 24, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/24/sports/nba-playoffs-pacers-bury-the-76ers-and-then-praise-them.html May 25, 2022 Wyche Steve Pacers Sweep 76ers Out of Playoff Picture, 89-86 The Washington Post May 24, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/playoffs/philind24.htm May 30, 2022 1999 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: 76ers vs. Pacers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-76ers-vs-pacers.html February 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Grant and second-year guard Anthony Parker were both traded to the Orlando Magic, who released Grant to free agency, Associated Press Sixers and Magic Do a Deal CBS News August 13, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sixers-and-magic-do-a-deal/ July 3, 2023 Povtak Tim Magic Trade Owens for Sixers' Grant, Parker Orlando Sentinel August 14, 1999 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-08-14-9908140129-story.html June 8, 2022 while Honeycutt was released to free agency, and Mahorn retired after playing in his second stint with the 76ers. Offseason Draft picks 1998 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 8 Larry Hughes SG United States Saint Louis University 2 37 Casey Shaw C United States University of Toledo Roster Philadelphia 76ers 1998–99 black #CBA135 #D80303 white 52 Matt Geiger C 7 0 243 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech 44 Harvey Grant F 6 8 195 1965–07–04 Oklahoma 40 Tyrone Hill F 6 9 240 1968–03–19 Xavier 25 Jerald Honeycutt F 6 9 245 1974–10–20 Tulane 21 Larry Hughes G 6 5 184 1979–01–23 Saint Louis 3 Allen Iverson G 6 0 165 1975–06–07 Georgetown 9 George Lynch basketball F 6 8 218 1970–09–03 North Carolina 4 Rick Mahorn F/C 6 10 240 1958–09–21 Hampton 8 Aaron McKie G/F 6 5 209 1972–10–02 Temple 14 Nazr Mohammed F/C 6 10 221 1977–09–05 Kentucky 11 Doug Overton G 6 3 190 1969–08–03 La Salle 12 Anthony Parker G 6 6 215 1975–06–19 Bradley 42 Theo Ratliff F/C 6 10 225 1973–04–17 Wyoming 30 Casey Shaw C 6 11 230 1975–07–20 Toledo 20 Eric Snow G 6 3 190 1973–04–24 Michigan State Larry Brown Maurice Cheeks John Kuester https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999.html April 16, 1999 Regular season Season standings PHI PHI z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Playoffs Philadelphia 76ers 1999 #000000 #BB9574 yes Philadelphia 76ers First Round yes #BB9574 #000000 yes no 2 0 1 1 |- | 1 | May 9 | @ Orlando | W 104–90 | Allen Iverson (30) | George Lynch (12) | Allen Iverson (7) | Orlando Arena15,267 | 1–0 |- | 2 | May 11 | @ Orlando | L 68–79 | Allen Iverson (13) | Theo Ratliff (8) | George Lynch (6) | Orlando Arena16,345 | 1–1 |- | 3 | May 13 | Orlando | W 97–85 | Allen Iverson (33) | Tyrone Hill (9) | Eric Snow (8) | First Union Center20,874 | 2–1 |- | 4 | May 15 | Orlando | W 101–91 | Allen Iverson (37) | George Lynch (10) | Allen Iverson (9) | First Union Center20,550 | 3–1 |- Philadelphia 76ers Conference semifinals #BB9574 #000000 yes no 0 2 0 2 |- | 1 | May 17 | @ Indiana | L 90–94 | Allen Iverson (35) | Matt Geiger (11) | Eric Snow (10) | Market Square Arena16,723 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 19 | @ Indiana | L 82–85 | Allen Iverson (23) | Theo Ratliff (12) | Eric Snow (6) | Market Square Arena16,795 | 0–2 |- | 3 | May 21 | Indiana | L 86–97 | Allen Iverson (32) | Tyrone Hill (12) | Eric Snow (9) | First Union Center20,930 | 0–3 |- | 4 | May 23 | Indiana | L 86–89 | Allen Iverson (25) | Matt Geiger (13) | Eric Snow (7) | First Union Center20,844 | 0–4 |- PHI 1999 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGBenoit Benjamin 6 0 5.5 .286 1.3 .2 .0 .0 .7Matt Geiger 50 40 30.8 .479 .200 .797 7.2 1.2 .8 .8 13.5Harvey Grant 47 10 17.0 .369 .167 .724 2.3 .5 .4 .3 3.1Tyrone Hill† 21 6 28.0 .480 .507 7.3 .9 .8 .4 8.5Jerald Honeycutt† 13 0 6.9 .259 .357 .750 .8 .2 .3 .2 1.9Larry Hughes 50 1 19.8 .411 .154 .709 3.8 1.5 .9 .3 9.1Allen Iverson 48 48 41.5 .412 .291 .751 4.9 4.6 2.3 .1 26.8George Lynch basketball 43 43 30.6 .421 .391 .631 6.5 1.8 2.0 .5 8.3Rick Mahorn 16 0 7.9 .278 .375 1.4 .1 .3 .1 .8Aaron McKie 50 4 19.2 .401 .194 .710 2.8 2.0 1.3 .1 4.8Nazr Mohammed 26 0 4.7 .357 .571 1.4 .1 .2 .2 1.6Doug Overton† 10 0 3.7 .333 .000 .2 .4 .1 .0 1.0Anthony Parker 2 0 1.5 1.000 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.0Theo Ratliff 50 50 32.5 .470 .725 8.1 .6 .9 3.0 11.2Casey Shaw 9 0 1.6 .125 .3 .0 .0 .0 .2Eric Snow 48 48 35.8 .428 .238 .733 3.4 6.3 2.1 .0 8.6Tim Thomas basketball† 17 0 11.1 .403 .263 .792 1.9 .9 .2 .2 4.6Scott Williams basketball† 2 0 8.5 .000 1.0 .5 1.0 .5 .0 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGMatt Geiger 8 8 29.9 .438 .000 .828 7.6 .8 1.1 .8 13.5Harvey Grant 4 0 7.3 1.000 1.0 .0 .0 .3 .5Tyrone Hill 8 1 24.5 .487 .368 7.4 .0 .4 .3 5.6Jerald Honeycutt 6 0 2.0 .200 .000 .2 .0 .0 .0 .3Larry Hughes 8 2 24.8 .403 .000 .833 4.6 2.0 1.9 1.1 10.3Allen Iverson 8 8 44.8 .411 .283 .712 4.1 4.9 2.5 .3 28.5George Lynch basketball 8 6 31.1 .446 .333 .706 6.6 2.0 2.3 .3 9.0Rick Mahorn 5 0 5.8 .333 .500 1.6 .2 .2 .0 1.0Aaron McKie 6 0 16.2 .304 .000 .857 2.5 1.8 .7 .0 3.3Nazr Mohammed 3 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0Theo Ratliff 7 7 29.1 .465 .579 7.3 .9 .7 2.6 7.3Eric Snow 8 8 38.3 .420 .231 .815 4.1 7.1 1.0 .1 12.4 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the 7ers only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Allen Iverson, All-NBA First Team Theo Ratliff, NBA All-Defensive Second Team References See also 1998–99 NBA season Category:Philadelphia 76ers seasons Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia Category:1998 in Philadelphia Category:1999 in Philadelphia