Matt Johnson
The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, fittingly in a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Before the Knicks vs. Spurs series kicks off with the Larry O’Brien Trophy at stake, we thought we’d take a look back at what was going on in the world at that time.
Here are a few things that were going on the last time the Knicks played in the NBA Finals.
Price of Gas: $1.10
The last game of the NBA Finals in 1999 between the Spurs and Knicks occurred on June 25, with San Antonio winning 78-77 to take the series. Around that same time, per EIA.gov, the average price for a gallon of gas in the United States was $1.10. Fast forward to today, the average price for a gallon of gas nationally is $4.61.
7 San Antonio Spurs Players Weren’t Born Yet
One of the natural comparisons for this 1999 NBA Finals rematch will be made between Victor Wembanyama and Tim Duncan. Duncan was 22 years old and in his second season when he first appeared in the NBA Finals. Fast forward to 2026, Wembanyama is in his third season and is also 22 years old. Of course, he wasn’t alive to see it.
In fact, several key players in the Spurs’ rotation weren’t alive. Keldon Johnson was born nearly four months after San Antonio beat New York. Devin Vassell was born more than a year after that decisive game, while Julian Champagnie, Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant were born years later. For long-time Spurs and Knicks fans, this just means we’re all getting old.
Top Movies: Austin Powers and Star Wars
The ’99 NBA Finals tipped off on June 16, 1999, exactly five days after Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me hit theaters. Across that entire month domestically, per BoxOfficeMojo.com, the Austin Powers movie grossed $158.691 million. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was right behind it, still grossing $150.661 million in its second month in theaters.
1999 NBA Draft: Elton Brand Drafted No. 1
Just five days after the Spurs beat the Knicks in the ’99 NBA Finals, the NBA Draft was held in Washington, D.C.. The Chicago Bulls selected Duke big man Elton Brand with the first overall pick, followed by Steve Francis (Vancouver Grizzlies), Baron Davis (Charlotte Hornets), and Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Clippers). Wally Szczerbiak, who was taken sixth overall, is now a color analyst for the Knicks on the MSG Network.
Tony Hawk Makes History
While the NBA Finals was the biggest sports story in June 1999, Tony Hawk made history. On June 27, competing in the X Games in San Francisco, Hawk became the first skateboarder to complete a 900 (2.5-revolution aerial spin). It’s still a rare feat, but it has been accomplished by a handful of skaters since.
Napster is Released
Apple was still years away from releasing the iPhone in 1999, and even the iPod wasn’t created yet. However, there is one piece of music and entertainment history that occurred when New York last hosted the NBA Finals. In fact, some of the fans making their way inside Madison Square Garden for Games 3–5 of the 1999 NBA Finals might’ve just hours earlier been using Napster, which was released to the public on June 1.
