LOOK BACK: When Spurs and Knicks squared off in the 1999 NBA Finals
Alta Sports4 months ago · 235 views
Photo: Getty Images
By Joel Reyes
The San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks will square off this coming Wednesday (PH time) for the right to become the 2025 NBA Cup champions. This isn’t the first time that the two proud franchises have locked horns in a title game, with the Spurs and the Knicks previously engaging in a memorable showdown in the 1999 NBA Finals.
In this feature, we look back at how that championship series went down ahead of their much-anticipated NBA Cup clash in Las Vegas.
Spurs beat Knicks in Game 1
The San Antonio Spurs headed into the 1999 NBA Finals with momentum on their side, having won each of their last 10 playoff games. They continued their dominance in the series opener against the New York Knicks, recording an 89-77 victory in Game 1 at the Alamodome.
Tim Duncan dazzled in his first-ever NBA Finals game, scoring 33 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Jaren Jackson provided offensive support, scoring 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston led New York’s offense with 19 points apiece.
Spurs take 2-0 lead over Knicks
The Spurs made history in Game 2 of the 1999 NBA Finals, becoming the first team to win 12 straight games in a single playoffs following their 80-67 victory at the Alamodome. David Robinson and Duncan combined for 41 points, 26 rebounds, and 9 blocks for the Spurs, who grabbed a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Knicks.
The Knicks struggled offensively, shooting just 32.9% from the field. They failed to score at least 20 points in each of the four quarters in Game 2.
Knicks battle back in Game 3
Buoyed by a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks came storming back in Game 3 of the 1999 NBA Finals. Three starters scored double figures for the Knicks, who cut the series deficit to 1-2.
Houston led the way for the Knicks, scoring 34 points in 46 minutes of action. He shot 10-for-24 from the field and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Sprewell and Larry Johnson also stepped up for New York, scoring 24 and 16 points, respectively. The trio punished the Spurs, who committed a whopping 20 turnovers in Game 3.
Spurs take 3-1 lead after Game 4
The Spurs moved to within a victory of claiming their first-ever NBA championship, defeating the Knicks 96-89 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. The Spurs used a balanced offensive attack to beat the Knicks, with all five San Antonio starters scoring double figures.
Duncan and Mario Elie led the Spurs’ attack, scoring 28 and 18 points, respectively. Avery Johnson, Sean Elliott, and Robinson each dropped 14 points for the Spurs, who took a 3-1 series lead in the Finals.
Spurs clinch first NBA title after Game 5 thriller
Game 5 of the 1999 Finals proved to be a classic with the Spurs and the Knicks engaging in a memorable back-and-forth affair. Avery Johnson broke New York fans’ hearts, scoring the game-winning jumper with 47 seconds left to give San Antonio a 78-77 win and its first-ever NBA championship.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Knicks, who had several opportunities to steal the home win in the final half-minute but failed to convert their chances. Latrell Sprewell carried the scoring cudgels for New York, scoring 25 of his 35 points in the second half.
Duncan led the way for San Antonio in Game 5, scoring 31 points and collecting 9 rebounds. He was named the Finals MVP, averaging 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds in the series win over the Knicks.
Who will take center stage in the next chapter of the Spurs vs Knicks rivalry? The 2025 NBA Cup Finals can’t come soon enough.
—JMS, Alta Sports
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Xyza Reyes
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