The 1998-99 NBA season marked the Memphis Grizzlies’ fourth season in the league, although at the time, they were still based in Vancouver, Canada. This season was notably shortened due to a lockout, resulting in a 50-game schedule instead of the usual 82. The Grizzlies struggled throughout the year, finishing with a disappointing record of 8-42, which placed them last in the Midwest Division and the entire NBA.
Under the guidance of head coach Brian Hill, the team faced significant challenges, both on the court and in maintaining fan support. The roster was spearheaded by Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who was the team’s standout performer, averaging 23.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Despite his efforts, the Grizzlies’ offense and defense were among the league’s weakest, ranking near the bottom in several statistical categories. The team also suffered from a lack of depth and experience, which hindered their competitiveness.
The 1998-99 season did little to improve the franchise’s fortunes, as they continued to struggle with attendance and financial issues. These struggles eventually contributed to the team’s relocation to Memphis in 2001. The season is often remembered for the challenges faced during the lockout and the on-court difficulties experienced by the Grizzlies as they sought to establish themselves within the NBA landscape.
- Regular Season Record: 8-42
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Memphis Grizzlies 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% |
| Shareef Abdur-Rahim | 50 | 23.0 | 7.5 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 30.6 | |||||||
| Mike Bibby | 50 | 13.2 | 2.7 | 6.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 20.3 | |||||||
| Sam Mack | 19 | 12.7 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 38.9 | |||||||
| Tony Massenburg | 43 | 11.2 | 6.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bryant Reeves | 25 | 10.8 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Felipe López | 47 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 27.3 | |||||||
| Doug West | 14 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Cherokee Parks | 48 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Michael Smith | 48 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| DeJuan Wheat | 46 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 36.7 | |||||||
| Pete Chilcutt | 46 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 38.2 | |||||||
| Rodrick Rhodes | 10 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 14.3 | |||||||
| Terry Dehere | 22 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 44.1 | |||||||
| J.R. Henderson | 30 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 40.0 | |||||||
| Lee Mayberry | 9 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 20.0 | |||||||
| Jason Sasser | 6 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Carl Herrera | 4 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Makhtar N'Diaye | 4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
Memphis Grizzlies 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the Memphis Grizzlies.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 07, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 109-87 | |
| Feb 08, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 95-76 | |
| Feb 10, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 105-99 | |
| Feb 11, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 101-97 | |
| Feb 14, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 96-92 | |
| Feb 16, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 93-89 | |
| Feb 17, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 131-129 | |
| Feb 19, 1999 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 115-96 | |
| Feb 21, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 102-87 | |
| Feb 23, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 93-83 | |
| Feb 25, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 94-86 | |
| Feb 27, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 86-74 | |
| Feb 28, 1999 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 116-112 | |
| Mar 02, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 111-101 | |
| Mar 03, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 109-86 | |
| Mar 04, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 102-93 | |
| Mar 06, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 107-92 | |
| Mar 08, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 92-73 | |
| Mar 09, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 92-82 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 102-91 | |
| Mar 13, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 91-74 | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 110-84 | |
| Mar 16, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 87-85 | |
| Mar 18, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 86-81 | |
| Mar 20, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 92-88 | |
| Mar 22, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 89-84 | |
| Mar 24, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 95-90 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 85-80 | |
| Mar 29, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-98 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 101-87 | |
| Apr 01, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 103-91 | |
| Apr 02, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 84-81 | |
| Apr 04, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 88-87 | |
| Apr 06, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 98-89 | |
| Apr 07, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 87-84 | |
| Apr 09, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 98-93 | |
| Apr 11, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 91-88 | |
| Apr 12, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 98-80 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 102-85 | |
| Apr 16, 1999 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 89-75 | |
| Apr 18, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 90-85 | |
| Apr 19, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-102 | |
| Apr 21, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 97-94 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 97-84 | |
| Apr 24, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 105-96 | |
| Apr 27, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 84-75 | |
| Apr 29, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 99-72 | |
| May 01, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 107-77 | |
| May 03, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 91-83 | |
| May 05, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 99-95 |