1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season

The 1998–99 NBA season was the San Antonio Spurs' 32nd season as a franchise, the team's 26th season in San Antonio, and the team's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

During the off-season, the Spurs acquired second-year guard Antonio Daniels from the Vancouver Grizzlies, acquired three-point specialist Steve Kerr from the Chicago Bulls,  and signed free agents Mario Elie, and Jerome Kersey. After a promising rookie season from second-year star Tim Duncan, the Spurs got off to a slow start posting a 6–8 record in February. However, in March and April, they won 31 of their final 36 games on their way to a league-best 37–13 season record, roughly equivalent to 61–21 in a full season.

Duncan averaged 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while David Robinson averaged 15.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. In addition, Sean Elliott provided the team with 11.2 points per game, and Elie and Avery Johnson both contributed 9.7 points per game each, while Johnson led the team with 7.4 assists per game. Duncan also finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting behind Karl Malone and Alonzo Mourning,  and Robinson finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Duncan finished tied in fifth place.

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves three games to one. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the Spurs' "Twin Towers" of Duncan and Robinson outplayed Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant as they swept the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games. In the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs faced the Portland Trail Blazers. After taking Game 1 with an 80–76 win,  the Spurs trailed by 17 points in Game 2. However, the Spurs made a fourth-quarter run that culminated with a game-winning three-pointer from Elliott, as they won 86–85. The Spurs went on to sweep the Trail Blazers in four straight games, becoming the first former American Basketball Association (ABA) team to play in the NBA Finals.

In the Finals, the Spurs defeated the eighth-seeded New York Knicks in five games. Johnson hit the title-winning shot with 47 seconds left to seal the Spurs' first title in franchise history. Duncan was named Finals MVP. Kerr, who previously won three straight championships with the Chicago Bulls, won his fourth consecutive title. Following the season, Will Perdue re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Chicago Bulls. In 2024, HoopsHype would list this Spurs squad as the team with the 24th easiest route to an NBA Finals championship due to the opponents they faced in the first round and the NBA Finals in particular.

Offseason
On June 24, 1998, the Spurs traded Carl Herrera and first-round draft pick Felipe Lopez to the Vancouver Grizzlies for guard Antonio Daniels. The team also signed free agents Mario Elie, Steve Kerr and Jerome Kersey during the offseason.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * February 5
 * Sacramento
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Tim Duncan (17)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * Alamodome 19,002
 * 1–0
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * February 6
 * Minnesota
 * Tim Duncan, Sean Elliott (22)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * Alamodome 21,319
 * 2–0
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * February 8
 * L. A. Lakers
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Tim Duncan (15)
 * Mario Elie (6)
 * Alamodome 33,788
 * 2–1
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * February 9
 * @ Minnesota
 * David Robinson (16)
 * David Robinson, Tim Duncan (11)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Target Center 16,422
 * 2–2
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * February 11
 * @ Cleveland
 * Tim Duncan (31)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Gund Arena 14,228
 * 2–3
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * February 12
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Malik Rose (22)
 * Malik Rose (9)
 * Avery Johnson (5)
 * First Union Center 16,892
 * 3–3
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * February 14
 * @ Chicago
 * David Robinson (22)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Tim Duncan (4)
 * United Center 22,386
 * 4–3
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * February 17
 * Phoenix
 * Tim Duncan (20)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Alamodome 16,419
 * 4–4
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * February 19
 * @ L. A. Lakers
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * Tim Duncan (11)
 * Mario Elie (4)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 4–5
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * February 21
 * Detroit
 * Tim Duncan (17)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (5)
 * Alamodome 19,495
 * 5–5
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * February 22
 * @ Minnesota
 * Avery Johnson (20)
 * David Robinson (17)
 * Avery Johnson (5)
 * Target Center 15,374
 * 5–6
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * February 24
 * Seattle
 * David Robinson (29)
 * David Robinson (17)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Alamodome 15,209
 * 6–6
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * February 26
 * @ Seattle
 * Tim Duncan (22)
 * David Robinson (14)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 6–7
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * February 28
 * Utah
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Mario Elie (6)
 * Alamodome 18,165
 * 6–8
 * David Robinson (14)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 6–7
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * February 28
 * Utah
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Mario Elie (6)
 * Alamodome 18,165
 * 6–8
 * 6–8


 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * March 2
 * @ Houston
 * Tim Duncan (23)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (13)
 * Compaq Center 16,285
 * 7–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * March 4
 * @ Dallas
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Reunion Arena 14,719
 * 8–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * March 6
 * L. A. Clippers
 * Tim Duncan (27)
 * David Robinson (10)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Alamodome 18,394
 * 9–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * March 7
 * @ Denver
 * Tim Duncan (34)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Avery Johnson (14)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 12,037
 * 10–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * March 10
 * Orlando
 * David Robinson (19)
 * Tim Duncan (11)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 17,954
 * 11–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * March 12
 * @ Phoenix
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * David Robinson (15)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * America West Arena 19,023
 * 12–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * March 13
 * Denver
 * Tim Duncan (27)
 * Tim Duncan, Will Perdue (8)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 32,982
 * 13–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * March 16
 * @ Sacramento
 * Tim Duncan (29)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (15)
 * ARCO Arena 14,570
 * 14–8
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * March 17
 * @ Golden State
 * Tim Duncan, Malik Rose (17)
 * Tim Duncan (17)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * The Arena in Oakland 10,257
 * 15–8
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * March 19
 * @ Portland
 * Tim Duncan (29)
 * Tim Duncan (15)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Rose Garden Arena 20,041
 * 15–9
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * March 20
 * @ Vancouver
 * Tim Duncan (24)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * General Motors Place 19,193
 * 16–9
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * March 23
 * Denver
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * David Robinson (9)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Alamodome 16,501
 * 17–9
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * March 25
 * @ Denver
 * Tim Duncan (28)
 * David Robinson (13)
 * David Robinson (5)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 10,695
 * 18–9
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * March 26
 * Toronto
 * David Robinson (24)
 * David Robinson (16)
 * Avery Johnson (11)
 * Alamodome 16,290
 * 18–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * March 27
 * Dallas
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (15)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 25,921
 * 19–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * March 30
 * Seattle
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * David Robinson (10)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * Alamodome 16,565
 * 20–10
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (15)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 25,921
 * 19–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * March 30
 * Seattle
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * David Robinson (10)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * Alamodome 16,565
 * 20–10
 * Alamodome 16,565
 * 20–10


 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * April 1
 * Vancouver
 * Tim Duncan (39)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 16,384
 * 21–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * April 3
 * L. A. Clippers
 * David Robinson, Mario Elie (19)
 * David Robinson (13)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 17,915
 * 22–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33
 * April 5
 * Golden State
 * David Robinson, Tim Duncan (25)
 * David Robinson (16)
 * Avery Johnson (4)
 * Alamodome 14,773
 * 23–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * April 8
 * @ Houston
 * Sean Elliott (19)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Compaq Center 16,285
 * 24–10
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * April 10
 * @ Phoenix
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (10)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * America West Arena 19,023
 * 24–11
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * April 12
 * Phoenix
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * David Robinson (13)
 * Tim Duncan, Sean Elliott (4)
 * Alamodome 14,352
 * 25–11
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * April 13
 * @ Dallas
 * David Robinson (22)
 * Tim Duncan (11)
 * Avery Johnson (5)
 * Reunion Arena 13,142
 * 25–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * April 14
 * Minnesota
 * David Robinson (21)
 * David Robinson (15)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * Alamodome 15,864
 * 26–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * April 16
 * Portland
 * David Robinson, Tim Duncan (20)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 21,368
 * 27–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * April 18
 * Houston
 * Mario Elie (21)
 * David Robinson (14)
 * Avery Johnson, Tim Duncan (8)
 * Alamodome 24,077
 * 28–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * April 20
 * @ Utah
 * Tim Duncan (36)
 * David Robinson, Malik Rose (11)
 * Avery Johnson, Tim Duncan (8)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 29–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * April 22
 * Dallas
 * David Robinson (18)
 * Tim Duncan (10)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 18,720
 * 30–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * April 24
 * L. A. Lakers
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Avery Johnson (12)
 * Alamodome 31,972
 * 31–12
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * April 26
 * @ L. A. Clippers
 * Tim Duncan (22)
 * David Robinson, Jerome Kersey (7)
 * Avery Johnson, Tim Duncan (7)
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8,260
 * 32–12
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * April 27
 * @ Sacramento
 * Tim Duncan (32)
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Avery Johnson (12)
 * ARCO Arena 16,776
 * 32–13
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * April 29
 * @ Vancouver
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Tim Duncan (10)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * General Motors Place 18,448
 * 33–13
 * Tim Duncan (32)
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Avery Johnson (12)
 * ARCO Arena 16,776
 * 32–13
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * April 29
 * @ Vancouver
 * Tim Duncan (19)
 * Tim Duncan (10)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * General Motors Place 18,448
 * 33–13
 * General Motors Place 18,448
 * 33–13


 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47
 * May 1
 * Portland
 * David Robinson (26)
 * David Robinson, Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 28,806
 * 34–13
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * May 2
 * Utah
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (3)
 * Alamodome 35,122
 * 35–13
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * May 4
 * @ Portland
 * David Robinson (29)
 * David Robinson (12)
 * Tim Duncan, Avery Johnson (6)
 * Rose Garden Arena 20,715
 * 36–13
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * May 5
 * @ Golden State
 * Tim Duncan (28)
 * David Robinson (20)
 * Sean Elliott (6)
 * The Arena in Oakland 17,235
 * 37–13
 * David Robinson (20)
 * Sean Elliott (6)
 * The Arena in Oakland 17,235
 * 37–13

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * May 9
 * Minnesota
 * W 99–86
 * Tim Duncan (26)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Alamodome 22,356
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 11
 * Minnesota
 * L 71–80
 * Tim Duncan (18)
 * Tim Duncan (16)
 * Mario Elie (4)
 * Alamodome 22,494
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 13
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 85–71
 * Avery Johnson (24)
 * David Robinson (18)
 * Duncan, Robinson (7)
 * Target Center 17,444
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 15
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 92–85
 * David Robinson (19)
 * David Robinson (11)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * Target Center 15,898
 * 3–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * May 17
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 87–81
 * Tim Duncan (25)
 * Will Perdue (9)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 25,297
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * May 19
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 79–76
 * Tim Duncan (21)
 * Tim Duncan (8)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Alamodome 33,293
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 22
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 103–91
 * Tim Duncan (37)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 3–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 23
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 118–107
 * Tim Duncan (33)
 * Tim Duncan (14)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Great Western Forum 17,505
 * 4–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * May 29
 * Portland
 * W 80–76
 * Duncan, Robinson (21)
 * Tim Duncan (13)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * Alamodome 35,165
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * May 31
 * Portland
 * W 86–85
 * Tim Duncan (23)
 * Tim Duncan (10)
 * Avery Johnson (7)
 * Alamodome 35,260
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * June 4
 * @ Portland
 * W 85–63
 * Jaren Jackson (19)
 * David Robinson (9)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Rose Garden 20,732
 * 3–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * June 6
 * @ Portland
 * W 94–80
 * David Robinson (20)
 * David Robinson (10)
 * Avery Johnson (6)
 * Rose Garden 20,735
 * 4–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * June 16
 * New York
 * W 89–77
 * Tim Duncan (33)
 * Tim Duncan (16)
 * Avery Johnson (8)
 * Alamodome 39,514
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * June 18
 * New York
 * W 80–67
 * Tim Duncan (25)
 * Tim Duncan (15)
 * Avery Johnson (5)
 * Alamodome 39,554
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * June 21
 * @ New York
 * L 81–89
 * David Robinson (25)
 * Tim Duncan (12)
 * Avery Johnson (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * June 23
 * @ New York
 * W 96–89
 * Tim Duncan (28)
 * Tim Duncan (18)
 * Avery Johnson (10)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * June 25
 * @ New York
 * W 78–77
 * Tim Duncan (31)
 * David Robinson (12)
 * Avery Johnson (9)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 4–1

NBA Finals
The 1999 NBA Finals saw some firsts for both the Spurs and the opposing New York Knicks.

The Spurs: The Knicks became the first 8th seed to ever play in an NBA Finals. (This feat would be duplicated by the Miami Heat in .)
 * Became the first former ABA team to play and win in an NBA Finals. (This feat would be duplicated by the Denver Nuggets in .)
 * Attracted record crowds for the two games at the Alamodome. Attendance was 39,514 for Game 1 and 39,554 for Game 2 (the largest crowd to see an NBA Finals game).
 * Steve Kerr became the first non-Celtic to win four straight championships, as he won titles with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998.

Summary
The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers. With time running out in Game 5, and the 1999 championship on the line, the Spurs looked to Avery Johnson as he hit a long clutch 2 from the corner with 47 seconds to go, giving the Spurs a 1-point lead. It was considered one of the franchise's best moments since the first 26 years in San Antonio.

Schedule

 * Game 1 - June 16, Wednesday  @San Antonio, San Antonio 89, New York 77: San Antonio leads series 1-0
 * Game 2 - June 18, Friday  @San Antonio, San Antonio 80, New York 67: San Antonio leads series 2-0
 * Game 3 - June 21, Monday @New York, New York 89, San Antonio 81: San Antonio leads series 2-1
 * Game 4 - June 23, Wednesday @New York, San Antonio 96, New York 89: San Antonio leads series 3-1
 * Game 5 - June 25, Friday @New York, San Antonio 78, New York 77: San Antonio wins series 4-1

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 in 1985. So far, the other playoff series are still running on a 2-2-1-1-1 site format.

Award winners

 * Tim Duncan, Forward, All-NBA First Team
 * Tim Duncan, Forward, All-NBA Defensive First Team
 * Tim Duncan, Forward, NBA Finals MVP