1998–99 Houston Rockets season

March 2026 August 2023 Houston Rockets 1999 Rudy Tomjanovich Carroll Dawson Leslie Alexander Compaq Center 31 19 Midwest 3 5 First round(lost to Lakers 1–3) HOU KHWBFox Sports Southwest KTRH The 1998–99 Houston Rockets season was the 32nd season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association and their 28th season in Houston, Texas. Houston Rockets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ August 6, 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 Rockets had three first-round draft picks in the 1998 NBA draft, selecting shooting guard Michael Dickerson from the University of Arizona with the 14th overall pick, point guard Bryce Drew out of Valparaiso University with the 16th overall pick, and power forward, and Turkish basketball star Mirsad Türkcan with the 18th overall pick; the team also drafted shooting guard Cuttino Mobley from the University of Rhode Island with the 41st overall pick in the second round. CBS News.com Staff Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 CBS News June 24, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-pick-olowokandi-no-1/ June 8, 2023 1998 NBA Draft Selections Deseret News June 25, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/6/25/19387811/1998-nba-draft-selections June 8, 2023 1998 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1998.html June 8, 2023 However, Türkcan never played for the Rockets, and was later on traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Gardner Kris Knicks Acquiring Sprewell Highlights Six-Deal Day The Houston Roundball Review January 21, 1999 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'98-'99season/0121Sprewell_5more.html June 8, 2023 Wise Mike Basketball: Knicks to Get First Look at First Pick The New York Times July 21, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/21/sports/basketball-knicks-to-get-first-look-at-first-pick.html June 8, 2023 After the retirement of All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward, and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls, CBS News.com Staff Pippen Headed to Houston CBS News January 18, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pippen-headed-to-houston/ June 20, 2023 Sheridan Chris Sprewell, Pippen on the Move The Washington Post January 19, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/19/sprewell-pippen-on-the-move/e64dd8ea-450c-4c6e-8b3b-97c3b1a7540e/ July 10, 2022 Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Ruining of Bulls Begins in Earnest The New York Times January 20, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/20/sports/pro-basketball-ruining-of-bulls-begins-in-earnest.html May 25, 2022 and signed free agent Antoine Carr, who previous had two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz. Rockets Sign Antoine Carr Associated Press January 23, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/16a7c5022dbbed7754437e9764f4235d July 27, 2021 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 Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley had previously played together on the U.S. Men's basketball team during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Sports People: Basketball: Dream Teamers Picked The New York Times April 13, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/13/sports/sports-people-basketball-dream-teamers-picked.html January 5, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Pippen, the Rockets won six of their first eight games of the regular season, but then lost five of their next seven games. At mid-season, the team traded second-year guard Rodrick Rhodes to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for three-point specialist, and former Rockets guard Sam Mack. Transactions The New York Times March 12, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/12/sports/transactions-726311.html July 18, 2021 Marbury Heads Home Deseret News March 12, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/3/12/19433978/marbury-heads-home January 9, 2023 Rockets, Grizzlies Set to Make 10-Player Trade, Report Says Deseret News August 27, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/27/19462754/rockets-grizzlies-set-to-make-10-player-trade-report-says October 30, 2025 The Rockets posted a nine-game winning streak in March, and finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 31–19 record, earning the fifth seed in the Western Conference; 1998–99 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999_games.html June 22, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. The Rockets also had the fifth best team offensive rating in the NBA. Olajuwon averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Barkley averaged 16.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and Pippen provided the team with 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and also led them with 72 three-point field goals. In addition, Dickerson provided with 10.9 points per game and 71 three-point field goals, while Mobley contributed 9.9 points per game, as both players were named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Othella Harrington averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Mack contributed 9.2 points per game in 25 games after the trade, and Brent Price provided with 7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game. 1998–99 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.html June 22, 2021 Three-point specialist Matt Maloney only played just 15 games this season due to an elbow injury. Associated Press Hakeem Sends Rockets Over Kings CBS News March 22, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hakeem-sends-rockets-over-kings/#app October 3, 2022 Associated Press Olajuwon Scores 32 for Rockets Los Angeles Times March 23, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-23-sp-20293-story.html November 15, 2022 Olajuwon finished tied in 13th 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 he and Pippen both finished tied in seventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Harrington finished tied in tenth place in Most Improved Player voting. The Rockets finished 18th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 407,125 at the Compaq 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 Western Conference First Round of the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Rockets faced off against the 4th–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by the All-Star trio of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice. Despite both teams finishing with the same regular-season record, the Lakers had home-court advantage in the series. The Rockets lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 102–88 at the Compaq Center; in Game 3, Pippen posted a double-double of 37 points and 13 rebounds, while Barkley had a double-double of 30 points and 23 rebounds. 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 13, 1999 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905130HOU.html June 8, 2026 However, the Rockets lost Game 4 to the Lakers at home, 98–88, thus losing the series in four games. Kawakami Tim Lakers Can Keep Spurs On Los Angeles Times May 16, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-16-sp-37920-story.html June 3, 2022 Graczyk Michael Lakers Silence Rockets, 98-88 The Washington Post May 15, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/playoffs/lakers16.htm November 25, 2022 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-western-conference-first-round-rockets-vs-lakers.html February 9, 2023 The Rockets would not return to the NBA playoffs again until the 2003–04 season. Aftermath Pippen spent only one season with the Rockets, as he and Barkley had trouble getting along as teammates. Associated Press Pippen Unloads on Barkley Los Angeles Times September 30, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-30-sp-16816-story.html October 3, 2022 Associated Press Pippen Trash-Talks Barkley CBS News September 30, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pippen-trash-talks-barkley/ February 20, 2023 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Notebook: Pippen, on His Way to Portland, Takes a Parting Shot at Barkley The New York Times October 3, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/03/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-pippen-his-way-portland-takes-parting-shot-barkley.html July 18, 2021 Following the season, Pippen was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Rockets Are Sending Pippen to Trail Blazers for Six Players The New York Times October 2, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/02/sports/pro-basketball-rockets-are-sending-pippen-to-trail-blazers-for-six-players.html March 2, 2017 Pippen to Go to Blazers for Six The Washington Post October 2, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/10/02/pippen-to-go-to-blazers-for-six/04402657-738b-4d58-b5c9-8a3df885a182/ July 10, 2022 Associated Press Pippen Comes to Portland Blazing Los Angeles Times October 5, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-05-sp-19084-story.html May 29, 2022 while Dickerson, Harrington, Carr and Price were all traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies, White Lonnie Rockets Set to Get Francis in 10-Player Deal Los Angeles Times August 27, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-27-sp-4259-story.html June 8, 2022 Wyche Steve Ex-Terp Francis Is Headed to the Rockets The Washington Post August 27, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/27/ex-terp-francis-is-headed-to-the-rockets/5a7a5d28-6b27-4902-be05-2af1d9251dbd/ April 6, 2023 Associated Press Pro Basketball: Roundup -- Houston: Rockets Get Francis in 3-Team Deal The New York Times August 28, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/sports/pro-basketball-roundup-houston-rockets-get-francis-in-3-team-deal.html July 27, 2021 Mack and Maloney were both released to free agency, as Maloney signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls midway through the next season, Bulls Sign Maloney United Press International January 7, 2000 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/01/07/Bulls-sign-Mahoney/7605947221200/ June 25, 2022 Mitchell Fred Rudy T. "Very Happy" for Maloney Chicago Tribune January 16, 2000 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-16-0001160182-story.html November 9, 2022 and Eddie Johnson retired. Draft picks 1998 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 14 Michael Dickerson SG United States Arizona 1 16 Bryce Drew PG United States Valparaiso 1 18 Mirsad Türkcan PF Efes Pilsen 2 41 Cuttino Mobley SG United States Rhode Island Roster Houston Rockets 1998–99 #1D2951 #FFFFFF #B50000 #FFFFFF 4 Charles Barkley F 6 6 252 1963–02–20 Auburn 50 Matt Bullard F/C 6 10 215 1967–06–05 Iowa 55 Antoine Carr F/C 6 9 225 1961–07–23 Wichita State 3 Michael Dickerson G 6 5 190 1975–06–25 Arizona 11 Bryce Drew G 6 2 185 1974–09–21 Valparaiso 32 Othella Harrington F/C 6 9 235 1974–01–31 Georgetown 8 Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 F 6 7 215 1959–05–01 Illinois 7 Sam Mack G/F 6 7 227 1970–05–26 California 12 Matt Maloney G 6 3 192 1971–12–06 Penn 2 Anthony Miller basketball F/C 6 9 225 1971–10–22 Michigan State 5 Cuttino Mobley G 6 4 190 1975–09–01 Rhode Island 34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7 0 255 1963–01–21 Houston 33 Scottie Pippen F 6 8 220 1965–09–25 Central Arkansas 20 Brent Price G 6 1 165 1968–12–09 Oklahoma 53 Stanley Roberts C 7 0 285 1970–02–07 LSU Rudy Tomjanovich Bill Berry Jim Boylen Larry Smith https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.html March 11, 1999 Regular season Season standings HOU HOU z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Date Opponent Score Result Record February 5 @ LA Lakers 91–99 Loss 0–1 February 6 @ Golden State 86–84 Win 1–1 February 8 Denver 99–80 Win 2–1 February 10 Sacramento 92–82 Win 3–1 February 11 @ Dallas 105–95 Win 4–1 February 16 Phoenix 109–92 Win 5–1 February 17 @ Minnesota 102–116 Loss 5–2 February 18 @ New Jersey 93-92 (OT) Win 6–2 February 20 @ Miami 71–81 Loss 6–3 February 21 @ Orlando 83–109 Loss 6–4 February 23 Seattle 98–86 Win 7–4 February 25 Atlanta 87–93 Loss 7–5 February 27 @ Vancouver 86–74 Win 8–5 February 28 @ LA Lakers 90–106 Loss 8–6 March 2 San Antonio 82–99 Loss 8–7 March 4 LA Clippers 96–77 Win 9–7 March 6 @ Vancouver 107–92 Win 10–7 March 7 @ Portland 71–111 Loss 10–8 March 9 Denver 84–75 Win 11–8 March 11 Vancouver 102–91 Win 12–8 March 13 Cleveland 100–89 Win 13–8 March 14 @ Phoenix 90–104 Loss 13–9 March 16 Portland 101–93 Win 14–9 March 17 @ Denver 114–109 Win 15–9 March 20 Phoenix 103-93 (OT) Win 16–9 March 22 Sacramento 110–100 Win 17–9 March 24 @ Dallas 88–78 Win 18–9 March 25 Toronto 113–104 Win 19–9 March 27 @ Golden State 87–86 Win 20–9 March 28 @ Sacramento 107–93 Win 21–9 March 30 @ LA Clippers 104–95 Win 22–9 April 1 @ Utah 87–88 Loss 22–10 April 4 @ Seattle 84–101 Loss 22–11 April 6 Golden State 111–74 Win 23–11 April 8 San Antonio 83–92 Loss 23–12 April 11 @ Utah 76–85 Loss 23–13 April 12 @ Minnesota 95–90 Win 24–13 April 14 Vancouver 102–85 Win 25–13 April 15 Portland 86–76 Win 26–13 April 18 @ San Antonio 83–86 Loss 26–14 April 19 Seattle 120–113 Win 27–14 April 21 Dallas 95–109 Loss 27–15 April 23 @ LA Clippers 101-106 (OT) Loss 27–16 April 25 @ Phoenix 71–95 Loss 27–17 April 26 LA Lakers 102–80 Win 28–17 April 29 Dallas 81–91 Loss 28–18 April 30 Utah 78–91 Loss 28–19 May 2 LA Clippers 110–84 Win 29–19 May 4 Minnesota 100–83 Win 30–19 May 5 @ Denver 95–88 Win 31–19 Playoffs Houston Rockets 1999 yes #1D2951 #FFFFFF Houston Rockets First Round yes yes no #C03 #FFFFFF 1 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 9 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 100–101 | Charles Barkley (25) | Barkley, Pippen (10) | Scottie Pippen (8) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 11 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 98–110 | Sam Mack (20) | Charles Barkley (13) | Scottie Pippen (5) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 13 | L.A. Lakers | W 102–88 | Scottie Pippen (37) | Charles Barkley (23) | Brent Price (7) | Compaq Center16,285 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 15 | L.A. Lakers | L 88–98 | Charles Barkley (20) | Scottie Pippen (17) | Charles Barkley (6) | Compaq Center16,285 | 1–3 |- HOU 1999 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGCharles Barkley 42 40 36.3 .478 .160 .719 12.3 4.6 1.0 .3 16.1Matt Bullard 41 0 10.1 .377 .387 .700 1.0 .4 .3 .1 2.9Antoine Carr 18 0 8.4 .404 .000 .714 1.7 .5 .1 .6 2.6Michael Dickerson 50 50 31.2 .465 .433 .639 1.7 1.9 .5 .2 10.9Bryce Drew 34 0 13.0 .364 .327 1.000 .9 1.5 .4 .1 3.5Othella Harrington 41 10 22.0 .513 .721 6.0 .4 .1 .6 9.8Eddie Johnson basketball, born 1959 3 0 6.0 .462 .000 .7 .3 .0 .0 4.0Sam Mack† 25 0 20.2 .471 .405 .821 1.7 1.3 .6 .1 9.2Matt Maloney 15 7 12.4 .179 .067 .909 .7 1.4 .3 .0 1.4Anthony Miller basketball 29 0 8.6 .467 .000 .636 2.3 .2 .2 .2 2.4Cuttino Mobley 49 37 29.7 .425 .358 .818 2.3 2.5 .9 .5 9.9Hakeem Olajuwon 50 50 35.7 .514 .308 .717 9.6 1.8 1.6 2.5 18.9Scottie Pippen 50 50 40.2 .432 .340 .721 6.5 5.9 2.0 .7 14.5Brent Price 40 6 20.2 .483 .411 .754 2.0 2.8 .8 .0 7.3Rodrick Rhodes† 3 0 11.0 .250 .833 1.3 .3 .3 .0 3.0Stanley Roberts 6 0 5.5 .385 .500 1.8 .0 .0 .2 2.3 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGCharles Barkley 4 4 39.3 .529 .286 .667 13.8 3.8 1.5 .5 23.5Matt Bullard 2 0 4.0 1.000 1.000 1.000 .0 .5 .0 .0 3.5Antoine Carr 4 0 9.3 .364 1.8 1.0 .0 .3 2.0Michael Dickerson 4 4 20.5 .273 .375 .500 1.0 .8 .5 .8 4.3Bryce Drew 1 0 4.0 1.000 .000 3.0 2.0 .0 .0 2.0Othella Harrington 4 0 10.5 .643 .667 3.5 .3 .0 .3 5.5Sam Mack 4 0 30.8 .342 .385 .824 2.3 1.8 1.0 .0 12.5Cuttino Mobley 4 4 23.5 .467 .571 .909 1.0 2.8 .5 .0 7.0Hakeem Olajuwon 4 4 30.8 .426 .875 7.3 .5 1.3 .8 13.3Scottie Pippen 4 4 43.0 .329 .273 .808 11.8 5.5 1.8 .8 18.3Brent Price 4 0 24.5 .458 .357 1.000 2.0 3.5 1.0 .3 8.3Stanley Roberts 3 0 6.7 .000 .500 1.0 .0 .0 1.3 .3 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Awards Hakeem Olajuwon, All-NBA Third Team Michael Dickerson, NBA All-Rookie Team Second Team Cuttino Mobley, NBA All-Rookie Team Second Team Records Transactions Trades Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Subtractions Player Left New team See also 1998–99 NBA season References Category:Houston Rockets seasons Houston Category:1998 in sports in Texas Category:1999 in sports in Texas Category:1998 in Houston Category:1999 in Houston