1999 NBA Finals

1999 basketball championship series February 2024 1999NBAFinals.png NBA 1999 New York Knicks Jeff Van Gundy 1 San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich 4 June 16–25 Tim Duncan(San Antonio Spurs) Spurs:Tim Duncan (2020)David Robinson (2009)Knicks:Patrick Ewing (2008; did not play)Coaches:Gregg Popovich (2023)Officials:Dick Bavetta (2015)Danny Crawford (2025)Hugh Evans (2022) Knicks defeated Pacers, 4–2 Spurs defeated Trail Blazers, 4–0 The 1999 NBA Finals was the championship round of the shortened 1998–99 NBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs took on the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks for the title, with the Spurs holding home court advantage.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-06-sp-34599-story.html Hot Spurs Wrap Up Home-Court Edge May 6, 1999 Los Angeles Times The Spurs defeated the Knicks in five games to win their first NBA championship.Roberts Selena June 26, 1999 N.B.A. FINALS; Spurs Win Title as Knicks' Dream Ends (Published 1999) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/sports/nba-finals-spurs-win-title-as-knicks-dream-ends.html February 19, 2021 0362-4331 Until 2023, this was the only NBA Finals to feature an eighth-seeded team and the first time an eighth-seeded team won an NBA Finals game. The two teams would rematch in the 2026 NBA Finals, where the Knicks would defeat the Spurs 4-1, ending their title drought after 53 years.NBA Finals predictions: Will Knicks or Spurs win according to our experts? https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2026/05/30/nba-finals-predictions-knicks-vs-spurs/90303976007/ 31 May 2026 USA Today Background The 1998–99 NBA season was shortened due to a labor dispute that led to a lockout. The owners and the National Basketball Players Association reached an agreement to end the dispute on January 20, 1999. Wise Mike Pro Basketball; The Business Of Basketball Now Begins In Earnest The New York Times January 21, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/21/sports/pro-basketball-the-business-of-basketball-now-begins-in-earnest.html May 24, 2009 The 1998–99 season, which began on February 5, 1999, N.B.A. : Roundup – Indiana; Season Finally Starts As Pacers Face Pressure The New York Times February 5, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/05/sports/nba-roundup-indiana-season-finally-starts-as-pacers-face-pressure.html April 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090423134846/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/05/sports/nba-roundup-indiana-season-finally-starts-as-pacers-face-pressure.html April 23, 2009 live was shortened from the usual 82-game schedule to 50 games per team. Donovan John Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99 CNN Sports Illustrated February 4, 1999 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/nba_preview/news/1999/02/03/nba_expectations/ April 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110622084237/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/nba_preview/news/1999/02/03/nba_expectations/ June 22, 2011 dead The three-time defending-champion Chicago Bulls did not make a fourth consecutive Finals after a roster turnover that saw Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan temporarily retire, and Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman move on to other teams.1998-99 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1999.html 2026-04-26 Basketball-Reference.com San Antonio Spurs 1998–99 San Antonio Spurs seasonMemorial Day Miracle The 1998–99 season was the second season of the "Twin Towers" pairing of David Robinson and star second-year forward Tim Duncan. Robinson and Duncan had been teammates since the Spurs drafted Duncan with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. The Spurs earned this draft pick through the draft lottery due to a 62-loss 1996–97 season in which Robinson had a season-ending injury and the team collapsed. During the 1996–97 season, veteran coach Bob Hill was fired and replaced by then-general manager Gregg Popovich.December 11, 1996 Popovich Names Himself Coach; Loses to Phoenix in NBA Debut Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB850256861952039500 February 19, 2021 0099-9660 In the 1997–98 season, the Spurs won 56 games, but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffshttps://bleacherreport.com/articles/1157107-san-antonio-spurs-how-are-they-still-a-dominant-team-in-the-nba San Antonio Spurs: How Are They Still a Dominant Team in the NBA? Andres Cordoba Bleacher Report April 23, 2012 by the Utah Jazz.https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/san-antonio-spurs-head-to-head-record-against-every-nba-team-the-only-franchise-with-a-winning-record-against-every-nba-team San Antonio Spurs Head-To-Head Record Against Every NBA Team: The Only Franchise With A Winning Record Against Every NBA Team Kyle Daubs Fadeaway World February 25, 2022 In the 1998–99 season, the Spurs recovered from a 6–8 start to the season to win 31 of their last 36 games.https://www.sportingnews.com/in/nba/news/nba-together-live-tim-duncan-named-finals-mvp-san-antonio-spurs-past-new-york-knicks-1999-nba-championship/1sbjgko67n8mv193isbb5hrlfu #NBATogetherLive: Tim Duncan named Finals MVP after leading Spurs past Knicks for 1999 NBA Championship www.sportingnews.com Kidane Benyam April 8, 2020 The Spurs qualified for the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference and tied the Utah Jazz for the league's best regular-season record (37–13).https://kslsports.com/459574/utah-jazz-and-the-history-of-the-top-seed/ Utah Jazz And The History Of The Top Seed May 18, 2021 KSL Sports After defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in four games, San Antonio recorded back-to-back sweeps in the second round and the conference finals, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. The victory over Portland gave the Spurs their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals.Spurs sweep Blazers, make 1st Finals trip; San Antonio earns 10th win in row, 94-80 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/06/07/spurs-sweep-blazers-make-1st-finals-trip-san-antonio-earns-10th-win-in-row-94-80/ June 7, 1999 February 19, 2021 baltimoresun.com New York Knicks 1998–99 New York Knicks season The Knicks had a more difficult time reaching the playoffs than the Spurs did. Toward the end of the season, with the team teetering on the brink of making the playoffs, New York fired general manager Ernie Grunfeld.https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-06-16-9906160051-story.html Knicks Prove Grunfeld Knew What He Was Doing Chicago Tribune Smith Sam June 16, 1999 The Knicks barely qualified for the playoffs and received the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference.Roberts Selena July 3, 1999 PRO BASKETBALL; After 17 Years, Grunfeld Is Off Knicks' Payroll (Published 1999) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/03/sports/pro-basketball-after-17-years-grunfeld-is-off-knicks-payroll.html February 19, 2021 0362-4331 The Knicks faced the Miami Heat, the top Eastern Conference seed, in the first round. When Allan Houston made a shot with 0.8 seconds remaining in Game 5 of that series, the Knicks were victorious and became the second team in NBA history after the 1993-94 Denver Nuggets to win a playoff series as the eighth seed.https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/nba-finals-lowest-seeded-teams-knicks-rockets-playoffs/jkru32hfe8t3tkp2kdxpetgy Lowest-seeded teams to reach, win NBA Finals: Knicks, Rockets lead list of greatest NBA Playoff underdog stories Jordan Greer April 15, 2022 The Sporting News April 17, 2022 The Knicks faced the Atlanta Hawks next. Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo guaranteed a victory, but the Knicks prevailed in a four-game sweep to set up a matchup with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/17/sports/nba-playoffs-hawks-long-haunts-his-former-teammates.html N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Hawks' Long Haunts His Former Teammates The New York Times May 17, 1999 April 17, 2022 Knicks center Patrick Ewing was lost for the series after the first two games against Indiana.Roberts Selena June 3, 1999 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Ewing to Miss Rest of Playoffs With a Torn Achilles' Tendon (Published 1999) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/03/sports/nba-playoffs-ewing-to-miss-rest-of-playoffs-with-a-torn-achilles-tendon.html February 19, 2021 0362-4331 In the third game, with 11.9 seconds left and the Knicks trailing 91–88, the Knicks' Larry Johnson made a three-point shot while being fouled and converted the subsequent free throw for a game-winning four-point play; the victory gave the Knicks a 2–1 lead in the series. The Knicks won Game 6 and prevailed in the series, becoming the first team in North American sports history to reach a championship series as an eighth seed.Roberts Selena June 19, 1999 N.B.A. FINALS: NOTEBOOK; Another Injured Knick (Published 1999) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/19/sports/nba-finals-notebook-another-injured-knick.html February 19, 2021 0362-4331 However, without Ewing and with Larry Johnson spraining his MCL in Game 6 of the East Finals, the Knicks entered the Finals wounded.https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/19/sports/nba-finals-notebook-another-injured-knick.html N.B.A. FINALS: NOTEBOOK; Another Injured Knick Selena Roberts June 19, 1999 June 28, 2026 NYTimes.com This was the first NBA Finals appearance for the Knicks since 1994; Herb Williams was the only player from the previous Finals team to play for them in 1999. Road to the Finals 1999 NBA playoffs San Antonio Spurs (Western Conference champion) New York Knicks (Eastern Conference champion)SAS1st seed in the West, best league recordRegular seasonNYK8th seed in the East, 14th best league recordDefeated the (8) Minnesota Timberwolves, 3–1First roundDefeated the (1) Miami Heat, 3–2Defeated the (4) Los Angeles Lakers, 4–0Conference semifinalsDefeated the (4) Atlanta Hawks, 4–0Defeated the (2) Portland Trail Blazers, 4–0Conference finalsDefeated the (2) Indiana Pacers, 4–2 Regular season series The Spurs and Knicks did not play each other in the regular season.https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/06/16/knicks-evil-spurs-dont-care-with-game-1-tonight-teams-focus-on-series/ Knicks evil? Spurs don't care; With Game 1 tonight, teams focus on series Baltimore Sun Bembry Jerry June 16, 1999 1999 NBA Finals team rosters San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs 1998–99 33 Antonio Daniels PG 6 4 205 1975–03–19 Bowling Green 21 Tim Duncan PF 6 11 250 1976–04–25 Wake Forest 17 Mario Elie SG 6 5 210 1963–11–26 American International 32 Sean Elliott SF 6 8 205 1968–02–02 Arizona 10 Andrew Gaze SG 6 7 205 1965–07–24 Seton Hall 2 Jaren Jackson SG 6 4 190 1967–10–27 Georgetown 6 Avery Johnson PG 5 10 175 1965–03–25 Southern 4 Steve Kerr PG 6 3 175 1965–09–29 Arizona 25 Jerome Kersey SF 6 7 215 1962–06–26 Longwood 54 Gerard King SF 6 9 230 1972–11–25 Nicholls State 41 Will Perdue C 7 0 240 1965–08–29 Vanderbilt University 50 David Robinson basketball C 7 1 235 1965–08–06 Navy 31 Malik Rose PF 6 7 250 1974–11–23 Drexel 11 Brandon Williams basketball, born 1975 SG 6 6 215 1975–02–27 Davidson Gregg Popovich Mike Budenholzer Hank Egan Paul Pressey https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1999.html New York Knicks New York Knicks 1998–99 9 Rick Brunson G 6 4 190 1972–06–14 Temple 23 Marcus Camby F/C 6 11 220 1974–03–22 Massachusetts 1 Chris Childs basketball G 6 3 195 1970–11–20 Boise State 4 Ben Davis basketball F 6 9 240 1972–12–26 Arizona 14 Chris Dudley C 6 11 235 1965–02–22 Yale 33 Patrick Ewing C 7 0 240 1962–08–05 Georgetown yes 20 Allan Houston G 6 6 220 1971–04–20 Tennessee 2 Larry Johnson basketball, born 1969 F 6 6 250 1969–03–14 UNLV 8 Latrell Sprewell G/F 6 5 190 1970–09–08 Alabama 40 Kurt Thomas basketball F 6 9 230 1972–10–04 TCU 21 Charlie Ward G 6 2 190 1970–10–12 Florida State 32 Herb Williams F/C 6 10 242 1958–02–16 Ohio State 25 David Wingate basketball G/F 6 5 190 1963–12–15 Georgetown Jeff Van Gundy Greg Brittenham Don Chaney Brendan Malone Jeff Nix Tom Thibodeau https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1999.html Series summary Game Date Road team Result Home team Game 1 June 16 New York Knicks 77–89 (0–1) San Antonio Spurs Game 2 June 18 New York Knicks 67–80 (0–2) San Antonio Spurs Game 3 June 21 San Antonio Spurs 81–89 (2–1) New York Knicks Game 4 June 23 San Antonio Spurs 96–89 (3–1) New York Knicks Game 5 June 25 San Antonio Spurs 78–77 (4–1) New York Knicks The Finals were played using a 2–3–2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. The NBA, after experimenting in the early years, restored this original format for the Finals between 1985 and 2013. In 2014, the Finals returned to a 2–2–1–1–1 site format. Game 1 #eee June 16 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas NBC New York Knicks 77 San Antonio Spurs |score2=89 Boxscores 27–21 10–24 26–26 14–18 Sprewell, Houston 19 Tim Duncan 33 Latrell Sprewell 7 Tim Duncan 13 Houston, Ward 3 Avery Johnson 8 39,514 Hugh Evans Steve Javie Bennett Salvatore San Antonio leads the series, 1–0 Game 2 #eee June 18 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas NBC New York Knicks 67 San Antonio Spurs |score2=80 Boxscores 15–20 19–19 15–17 18–24 Latrell Sprewell 26 Tim Duncan 25 Latrell Sprewell 7 Tim Duncan 15 Charlie Ward 3 Avery Johnson 5 39,554 Dan Crawford Joe Crawford Jess Kersey San Antonio leads the series, 2–0 Game 3 #eee June 21 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York NBC San Antonio Spurs 81 New York Knicks |score2=89 Boxscores 21–32 25–17 16–16 19–24 David Robinson 25 Allan Houston 34 Tim Duncan 12 Houston, Johnson 5 Avery Johnson 4 Latrell Sprewell 5 19,763 Dick Bavetta Hue Hollins Ronnie Nunn San Antonio leads the series, 2–1This was the end of the Spurs' 12-game playoff winning streak, the longest in NBA history at the time. Game 4 #eee June 23 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York NBC San Antonio Spurs |score1=96 New York Knicks 89 Boxscores 27–29 23–17 22–17 24–26 Tim Duncan 28 Latrell Sprewell 26 Tim Duncan 18 Marcus Camby 13 Avery Johnson 10 Charlie Ward 8 19,763 Hugh Evans Ron Garretson Mike Mathis San Antonio leads the series, 3–1 Game 5 #eee June 25 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York NBC San Antonio Spurs |score1=78 New York Knicks 77 Boxscores 20–23 20–15 19–20 19–19 Tim Duncan 31 Latrell Sprewell 35 David Robinson 12 Latrell Sprewell 10 Avery Johnson 9 Allan Houston 5 19,763 Joe Crawford Steve Javie Bennett Salvatore San Antonio wins the NBA Finals, 4–1 Avery Johnson hit the game-winner with 66 seconds remaining as the Knicks could not respond in time.https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/sports/nba-finals-spurs-win-title-as-knicks-dream-ends.html The New York Times June 26, 1999 N.B.A. FINALS; Spurs Win Title as Knicks' Dream Ends Selena Roberts https://web.archive.org/web/20230116170844/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/sports/nba-finals-spurs-win-title-as-knicks-dream-ends.html January 16, 2023 Result During the Finals, Larry Johnson received criticism when he characterized the Knicks as a band of "rebellious slaves". Bill Walton later called Johnson and his performance a "disgrace". When Johnson was asked about the play of San Antonio Spurs point guard Avery Johnson in Game 4, Johnson again shifted the topic to slavery: "Ave, man, we're from the same plantation. You tell Bill Walton that. We from Massa Johnson's plantation."Associated Press No One is Safe from Johnson's Wrath Sports Illustrated June 24, 1999 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/news/1999/06/24/finals_notebook https://web.archive.org/web/20010713065125/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/news/1999/06/24/finals_notebook/ dead July 13, 2001 Johnson added, "The NBA is full of black players, and people say, ‘Look, they have great opportunities, they've made incredible strides.' But when I go back to my neighborhood, I see the same thing. I'm the only one who came out of my neighborhood. Everybody I knew is either dead, on drugs, in jail, or selling drugs." This led to a war of words in the media when Walton stated Johnson spent "too much time railing against humanity and practicing his posing rather than developing his game".LJ fires back pot shot at Walton https://nypost.com/1999/06/25/lj-fires-back-pot-shot-at-walton/ 2026-03-04 New York Post 1999-06-25 Johnson answered back by telling Walton to “trace his history and see how many slaves his ancestors had".Camby: We'll win; Knicks planning on returning to San Antonio https://nypost.com/1999/06/25/camby-well-win-knicks-planning-on-returning-to-san-antonio/ 2026-03-04 New York Post 1999-06-25 Johnson was ultimately fined for his "rebellious slaves" comment.Van Gundy: Media is unfair to Larry https://nypost.com/1999/06/26/van-gundy-media-is-unfair-to-larry/ 2026-03-04 New York Post 1999-06-26 The Spurs won the NBA Finals 4 games to 1. Spurs forward Tim Duncan was named the Most Valuable Player of the finals.#NBATogetherLive: Tim Duncan named Finals MVP after leading Spurs past Knicks for NBA Championship https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/nba-together-live-tim-duncan-named-finals-mvp-san-antonio-spurs-past-new-york-knicks-1999-nba-championship/usfbxu1k8bri1ifznd1ubjnup February 19, 2021 www.sportingnews.com April 9, 2020 On June 25 (two years to the day that Duncan was drafted by the Spurs), with 47 seconds to go in Game 5, Avery Johnson hit the game-winner.Bembry Jerry It's Spurs' moment; A. Johnson's shot beats Knicks, 78-77, clinches NBA crown https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/06/26/its-spurs-moment-a-johnsons-shot-beats-knicks-78-77-clinches-nba-crown/ February 19, 2021 baltimoresun.com June 26, 1999 The Knicks scored 39 points in the second half, and Latrell Sprewell scored 25 of them, with fourteen of his points coming in the fourth quarter. However, he could not hit either of his jump shots in the last half-minute of the game that could have affected the outcome. Tim Duncan scored 31 points and nine rebounds in the decisive Game 5 while averaging 27.4 points and fourteen rebounds with 2.4 assists and 2.2 blocks in the Finals.https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/this-date-in-nba-history-june-25-san-antonio-spurs-win-1st-title-in-franchise-history-in-1999-and-more/bkf9jp4040h41qnwkctj6n39e This Date in NBA History (June 25): San Antonio Spurs win first title in franchise history in 1999 and more June 25, 2021 Player statistics San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs |- | align="left" | Antonio Daniels || 4 || 0 || 6.0 || .800 || 1.000 || .000 || 0.5 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 2.5 |-! style="background:#FDE910;" | align="left" | Tim Duncan || 5 || 5 || 45.8 || .537 || .000 || .795 || 14.0 || 2.4 || 1.0 || 2.2 || 27.4 |- | align="left" | Mario Elie || 5 || 5 || 35.0 || .447 || .308 || .870 || 4.0 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 0.0 || 11.6 |- | align="left" | Sean Elliott || 5 || 5 || 36.2 || .333 || .278 || .636 || 3.0 || 3.0 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 8.0 |- | align="left" | Jaren Jackson || 5 || 0 || 19.2 || .324 || .375 || .000 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 6.6 |- | align="left" | Avery Johnson || 5 || 5 || 39.2 || .500 || .000 || .600 || 2.6 || 7.2 || 0.6 || 0.0 || 9.2 |- | align="left" | Steve Kerr || 5 || 0 || 8.8 || .400 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.8 |- | align="left" | Jerome Kersey || 2 || 0 || 2.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0 |- | align="left" | Gerard King || 2 || 0 || 1.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 |- | align="left" | David Robinson basketball || 5 || 5 || 37.0 || .424 || .000 || .688 || 11.8 || 2.4 || 1.0 || 3.0 || 16.6 |- | align="left" | Malik Rose || 5 || 0 || 12.8 || .200 || .000 || .500 || 2.4 || 0.4 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 1.2 New York Knicks New York Knicks |- | align="left" | Rick Brunson || 1 || 0 || 1.0 || .001 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 |- | align="left" | Marcus Camby || 5 || 3 || 27.0 || .500 || .000 || .750 || 7.8 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 2.0 || 9.6 |- | align="left" | Chris Childs basketball || 5 || 0 || 21.0 || .227 || .200 || .500 || 1.2 || 2.2 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 2.4 |- | align="left" | Chris Dudley || 5 || 2 || 15.6 || .250 || .000 || .333 || 3.8 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 1.2 |- | align="left" | Allan Houston || 5 || 5 || 44.4 || .427 || .167 || .923 || 3.2 || 3.4 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 21.6 |- | align="left" | Larry Johnson basketball, born 1969 || 5 || 5 || 37.0 || .286 || .111 || .615 || 4.8 || 1.4 || 1.2 || 0.2 || 7.6 |- | align="left" | Latrell Sprewell || 5 || 5 || 44.2 || .410 || .286 || .842 || 6.6 || 2.6 || 1.4 || 0.2 || 26.0 |- | align="left" | Kurt Thomas basketball || 5 || 0 || 21.0 || .344 || .000 || .600 || 7.6 || 0.4 || 1.2 || 0.0 || 5.6 |- | align="left" | Charlie Ward || 5 || 5 || 29.0 || .462 || .333 || .500 || 3.2 || 3.6 || 2.6 || 0.4 || 5.8 |- | align="left" | Herb Williams || 2 || 0 || 1.5 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 Broadcasting The 1999 NBA Finals was aired in the United States on NBC (including WNBC in New York City and KMOL-TV in San Antonio), with Bob Costas and Doug Collins on play-by-play and color commentary respectively. Hannah Storm served as the studio host while Isiah Thomas, Bill Walton and Peter Vecsey served as studio analysts. Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray served as sideline reporters.Fainaru-Wada Mark February 10, 2019 Bob Costas, unplugged: From NBC and broadcast icon to dropped from the Super Bowl https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/25914913/inside-story-how-legendary-nfl-broadcaster-bob-costas-ended-excised-football-nbc-espn 2026-06-22 espn.com Locally, the Finals also marked the comeback of Marv Albert following his infamous sex scandal two years prior. Albert served as the Knicks' radio play-by-play announcer on WFAN with long-time partner John Andariese. NBC Sports rehired Albert shortly after and he eventually returned to the lead play-by-play role in 2000.Sandomir Richard 1999-06-30 PRO BASKETBALL; NBC Rehires Albert 2 Years After Firing Him https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-nbc-rehires-albert-2-years-after-firing-him.html 2026-06-22 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Aftermath In 2000, the Spurs became the first NBA champion since the 1985–86 Celtics to fail to win a second consecutive title.https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2003/11/03/story1.html NBA general managers pick Lakers to dethrone Spurs again BizJournals.com Bailey W. Scott November 2, 2003 However, the Spurs eventually went on to become the most consistent team over the next two decades and won additional NBA titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, all of which also featured Tim Duncan.Tim Duncan https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tim-duncan 2026-06-22 The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Game 2 at the Alamodome was the last NBA Finals game to take place at what is known as a multi-purpose stadium. Due to this fact, the 39,554 in attendance for the game will likely never be topped again, as the Chicago Bulls' United Center is the largest NBA arena by capacity with 20,917 seats. The following season, the Knicks won 50 games but fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference finals rematch. After that season, the Patrick Ewing era came to an end when he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics.Broussard Chris 2000-09-21 Knicks Send Ewing to Sonics As 4-Team Deal Ends an Era https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/21/sports/knicks-send-ewing-to-sonics-as-4-team-deal-ends-an-era.html 2026-06-22 The New York Times 0362-4331 The next eighth seed to make the NBA Finals was the Miami Heat in 2023. The result was the same, with the Heat losing to the Denver Nuggets in five games.Puleo Mark 2023-06-02 2023 Miami Heat or 1999 New York Knicks: Which 8 seed had the better NBA Finals run? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4564024/2023/06/01/miami-heat-nba-finals-run-8-seed/ 2026-06-22 The New York Times 0362-4331 Both the Spurs and the Knicks would meet again 27 years later in the championship game of the 2025 NBA Cup, where the Knicks defeated the Spurs, 124–113. The Knicks did not return to the NBA Finals until 2026, coincidentally a rematch with the Spurs. The star player on the 2026 Knicks team was Jalen Brunson, the son of 1999 reserve guard Rick Brunson.Barker Barbara 2026-05-31 Barbara Barker: 1999 Knicks, including Larry Johnson, are excited about the current team https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/barbara-barker/knicks-larry-johnson-blmfr2fq 2026-05-31 Newsday The Knicks would win the 2026 match-up between the two teams in five games, winning their first title since 1973 and becoming the first team to win both the NBA Cup and NBA Championship in the same season.The Comeback Knicks are the Champion Knicks. Brunson scores 45, and New York tops Spurs for title https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401859967 ESPN.com June 14, 2026 June 13, 2026 The series was an exact reversal of the 1999 series with the Knicks winning the first two in San Antonio, the Spurs winning game three in New York, and the Knicks winning games 4 and 5, clinching the title on the road like the Spurs did at Madison Square Garden 27 years prior. See also 1999 NBA playoffs References External links NBA History https://web.archive.org/web/19991012152809/http://nba.com/finals99/index.html October 12, 1999 Official Website on NBA.com Category:NBA Finals Finals NBA Finals NBA Finals NBA Finals NBA Finals Category:1990s in San Antonio NBA Finals Category:Basketball competitions in New York City Category:Basketball competitions in San Antonio Category:1990s in Manhattan