The 1998-99 New York Knicks season was notable for its unexpected success despite several challenges. The season was shortened to 50 games due to a lockout, and the Knicks ended the regular season with a 27-23 record, securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Larry Johnson, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell were key players, with Jeff Van Gundy serving as the head coach. The Knicks faced uncertainties, including the midseason acquisition of Marcus Camby, which added depth and defensive prowess to the roster.
In the playoffs, the Knicks defied expectations by making an improbable run to the NBA Finals. They began by upsetting the top-seeded Miami Heat in a hard-fought five-game series. This was followed by victories over the Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals, respectively. The Knicks became the first eighth-seeded team in NBA history to reach the Finals, showcasing resilience and gritty performances. Allan Houston’s clutch shooting and Latrell Sprewell’s dynamic scoring were pivotal throughout the postseason.
The Knicks’ Cinderella story concluded with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs, led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson, proved too formidable, defeating the Knicks 4-1 to win the championship. Despite falling short, the Knicks’ playoff run remains one of the most memorable in NBA history, highlighting the team’s determination and the unpredictable nature of sports. This season marked the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals, solidifying its place in the franchise’s lore.
- Regular Season Record: 27-23
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-0, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 1-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1998-99 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 38 | 17.3 | 9.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 11 | 13.1 | 8.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Latrell Sprewell | 37 | 16.4 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 27.3 | 20 | 20.4 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 16.0 |
| Allan Houston | 50 | 16.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 40.7 | 20 | 18.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 25.0 |
| Larry Johnson | 49 | 12.0 | 5.8 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 35.9 | 20 | 11.4 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 29.3 |
| Kurt Thomas | 50 | 8.1 | 5.7 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 20 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Charlie Ward | 50 | 7.6 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 35.6 | 20 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 32.1 |
| Marcus Camby | 46 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 20 | 10.4 | 7.7 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Chris Childs | 48 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 38.3 | 20 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 32.1 |
| Dennis Scott | 15 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 27.6 | |||||||
| Chris Dudley | 46 | 2.5 | 4.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 18 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Ben Davis | 8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Herb Williams | 6 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rick Brunson | 17 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| David Wingate | 20 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks in the 1999 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Miami Heat
In the 1999 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks made history by becoming the second eighth-seed team to upset a top seed in a playoff series, defeating the Miami Heat in a dramatic five-game first-round clash. The series culminated in a thrilling Game 5, where Allan Houston's iconic last-second runner clinched a 78-77 victory, setting the stage for the Knicks' remarkable run to the NBA Finals. This upset underscored the Knicks' resilience and defensive tenacity, hallmarks of their unexpected postseason success.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 08, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | W 95-75 | |
| May 10, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | L 83-73 | |
| May 12, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | W 97-73 | |
| May 14, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | L 87-72 | |
| May 16, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | W 78-77 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the second round of the 1999 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks stunned the top-seeded Miami Heat in a thrilling five-game series. The decisive moment came with Allan Houston's iconic last-second shot in Game 5, which secured a 78-77 victory and propelled the Knicks further into their improbable playoff run. This victory set the stage for the Knicks' remarkable journey to the NBA Finals as the eighth seed, highlighting their resilience and tenacity.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 100-92 | |
| May 20, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 77-70 | |
| May 23, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 90-78 | |
| May 24, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 79-66 |
1999 Conference Championship vs. Indiana Pacers
In the 1999 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks made an improbable run to the Eastern Conference Finals as the eighth seed, displaying tenacity and grit. They stunned the basketball world by defeating the top-seeded Miami Heat in the first round and continued their Cinderella story by overcoming the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals. The Knicks' defensive prowess and veteran leadership, highlighted by the resurgence of Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston, propelled them to the Finals after defeating the Indiana Pacers, marking a historic moment in NBA postseason history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 93-90 | |
| Jun 01, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 88-86 | |
| Jun 05, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 92-91 | |
| Jun 07, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 90-78 | |
| Jun 09, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 101-94 | |
| Jun 11, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 90-82 |
1999 NBA Finals vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 1999 NBA Finals, the New York Knicks made history as the first eighth-seeded team to reach the championship round, showcasing an impressive underdog run. Despite their resilience and strong performances from key players like Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston, the Knicks ultimately fell to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. The Spurs' twin towers of Tim Duncan and David Robinson proved too formidable, securing San Antonio's first NBA title.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 89-77 | |
| Jun 18, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 80-67 | |
| Jun 21, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 89-81 | |
| Jun 23, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 96-89 | |
| Jun 25, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 78-77 |
New York Knicks 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 1999 | @ Orlando Magic | L 93-85 | |
| Feb 07, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | L 83-79 | |
| Feb 10, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 101-88 | |
| Feb 11, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 73-68 | |
| Feb 15, 1999 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 78-69 | |
| Feb 16, 1999 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 95-85 | |
| Feb 18, 1999 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 98-74 | |
| Feb 19, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 78-67 | |
| Feb 21, 1999 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 79-63 | |
| Feb 23, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 82-74 | |
| Feb 25, 1999 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 115-113 | |
| Feb 26, 1999 | @ Boston Celtics | L 94-80 | |
| Feb 28, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 89-68 | |
| Mar 01, 1999 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 85-78 | |
| Mar 02, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | L 85-84 | |
| Mar 05, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 88-87 | |
| Mar 07, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 97-86 | |
| Mar 09, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 87-86 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 98-86 | |
| Mar 12, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 76-63 | |
| Mar 14, 1999 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 94-86 | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 108-102 | |
| Mar 16, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 113-89 | |
| Mar 18, 1999 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 86-78 | |
| Mar 20, 1999 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 96-78 | |
| Mar 21, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 85-81 | |
| Mar 22, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 80-71 | |
| Mar 24, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 92-91 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 94-87 | |
| Mar 28, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 99-91 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 94-93 | |
| Apr 01, 1999 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 78-74 | |
| Apr 04, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 108-95 | |
| Apr 06, 1999 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 81-72 | |
| Apr 07, 1999 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 106-82 | |
| Apr 09, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 86-78 | |
| Apr 11, 1999 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 93-78 | |
| Apr 13, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-72 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | @ Washington Wizards | L 95-89 | |
| Apr 16, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 80-71 | |
| Apr 17, 1999 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 93-90 | |
| Apr 19, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 72-67 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 110-105 | |
| Apr 25, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | W 82-80 | |
| Apr 26, 1999 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 91-84 | |
| Apr 28, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 76-73 | |
| Apr 29, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 85-70 | |
| May 02, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 94-71 | |
| May 03, 1999 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 95-88 | |
| May 05, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | W 101-88 |