1997–98 New York Knicks season

{{short description|Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = New York Knicks

| end_year = 1998

| wins = 43

| losses = 39

| division = Atlantic

| division_place = 2

| conf_place = 7

| coach = Jeff Van Gundy

| gm = Ernie Grunfeld

| owners = Cablevision

| arena = Madison Square Garden

| playoffs = Conference semifinals
(lost to Pacers 1–4)

| bbr_team = NYK

| television = MSG Network

| radio = WFAN

}}

The 1997–98 New York Knicks season was the 52nd season for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the off-season, the Knicks acquired Chris Mills from the Boston Celtics,{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 23, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/23/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-send-four-players-to-the-celtics-for-mills.html|access-date=January 10, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = October 23, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-23-sp-45978-story.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Greenberg | first = Alan | title = One of Pitino's Slick Moves | newspaper = Hartford Courant | date = October 23, 1997 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-23-9710230482-story.html | access-date = December 27, 2022}} and acquired Chris Dudley from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade.{{cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Mark|title=Dudley's Trade to Knicks Approved|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 8, 1997|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-08-9709080160-story.html|access-date=June 27, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Appeals Panel Clears Dudley Trade | publisher = Associated Press News | date = October 10, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/753ea85004b651fece02b241243c4c7a | access-date = July 31, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220625225712/https://apnews.com/article/753ea85004b651fece02b241243c4c7a | archive-date = June 25, 2022 | url-status = dead}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Finally Get Wish: Dudley | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 10, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/10/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-finally-get-wish-dudley.html | access-date = November 9, 2022}} At mid-season, the team traded Herb Williams to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for former All-Star forward Terry Cummings.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Add Cummings to Fill a Hole | newspaper = The New York Times | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-add-cummings-to-fill-a-hole.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Smith Arrives Right on Time for 76ers' Loss | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21087-story.html | access-date = January 6, 2024}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200078-story.html | access-date = December 27, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Long|first=Ernie|title=Cummings is Sent to Knicks for a Pair of Veterans|newspaper=The Morning Call|date=February 20, 1998|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1998-02-20-3185343-story.html|access-date=October 14, 2022}} However, Williams never played for the 76ers, and was re-signed by the Knicks for the remainder of the season.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; A New Side of Houston Emerges After Surgery | newspaper = The New York Times | date = February 22, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/22/sports/pro-basketball-a-new-side-of-houston-emerges-after-surgery.html | access-date = January 6, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Wise|first=Mike|title=Basketball: Knicks Notebook; Williams Is in Line to Sign a Third Time|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 24, 1998|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/24/sports/basketball-knicks-notebook-williams-is-in-line-to-sign-a-third-time.html|access-date=October 26, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Pro Basketball; Dudley Is Injured in Dismal Knick Loss | newspaper = The New York Times | date = February 25, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/25/sports/pro-basketball-dudley-is-injured-in-dismal-knick-loss.html | access-date = October 20, 2023}}{{cite magazine | last = MacMullan | first = Jackie | title = Inside the NBA | magazine = Sports Illustrated | date = March 9, 1998 | url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/03/09/inside-the-nba | access-date = January 6, 2024}}

In the regular season, the Knicks held a 25–21 record at the All-Star break, and finished with a 43–39 record,{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 | access-date = July 19, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997–98 New York Knicks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1998_games.html | access-date = January 1, 2022}} which placed them in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Division with the New Jersey Nets.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 NBA Season Summary | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html | access-date = December 15, 2024}} Despite their lowest winning percentage since the 1990–91 season,{{cite web | title = New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/ | access-date = May 21, 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514042746/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/| archive-date= May 14, 2011 | url-status= live}} the team qualified for the NBA playoffs as the #7 seed. They also hosted the 1998 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.{{cite news | last = Iannazzone | first = Al | title = League Source: Knicks, Nets to co-host NBA All-Star Weekend in 2015 |publisher= Newsday | date = September 24, 2013 | url = http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/league-source-knicks-nets-to-co-host-nba-all-star-weekend-in-2015-1.6133735 | access-date = December 9, 2013 }} The Knicks had the fourth-best team defensive rating in the NBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=1997-98&SeasonType=Regular%20Season|title=Teams General Defense|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=April 16, 2021}}

This season saw All-Star center Patrick Ewing break his wrist trying to catch an alley-oop during a road game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 20, 1997.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Basketball; Horror Show for Knicks as Ewing Injures Wrist | newspaper = The New York Times | date = December 21, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/sports/basketball-horror-show-for-knicks-as-ewing-injures-wrist.html | access-date = May 5, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Ewing Goes Down, So Do the Knicks | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = December 21, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-21-sp-1046-story.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Ewing Dislocates Wrist in Loss | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = December 21, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/21/ewing-dislocates-wrist-in-loss/9620e28c-46b1-4f4f-87aa-73d5403af10f/ | access-date = January 4, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=Pro Basketball; Wrist Surgery Sidelines Ewing for the Season|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 22, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/22/sports/pro-basketball-wrist-surgery-sidelines-ewing-for-the-season.html|access-date=June 10, 2015}} The injury kept Ewing out for the remainder of the regular season, and the entire Eastern Conference first round series against the Miami Heat. However, he did return for Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=The N.B.A. Playoffs; Ewing Works Out as the Knicks Wait and Wait|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 7, 1998|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/07/sports/the-nba-playoffs-ewing-works-out-as-the-knicks-wait-and-wait.html|access-date=April 17, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=The N.B.A. Playoffs; Ewing Starts, But Pacers Have the Endgame|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 8, 1998|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/08/sports/the-nba-playoffs-ewing-starts-but-pacers-have-the-endgame.html|access-date=April 17, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Ewing Comes Back, Pacers Keep Going | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 8, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/05/08/ewing-comes-back-pacers-keep-going/a912ba33-8b49-4387-b225-efef1ac4cf35/ | access-date = January 4, 2023}} Ewing averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 26 games.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 New York Knicks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1998.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}}

Without their star center for most of the season, Allan Houston finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game, while Larry Johnson averaged 15.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. In addition, John Starks provided scoring off the bench, averaging 12.9 points per game and leading the Knicks with 130 three-point field goals, while Charles Oakley provided the team with 9.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Mills contributed 9.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game off the bench. The team also used Charlie Ward as its starting point guard, with Chris Childs coming off the bench.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Childs Steps Out of Lineup for Ward | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 25, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/25/sports/pro-basketball-childs-steps-out-of-lineup-for-ward.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Ward Is the Knicks' Square Peg With a Round Ball | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 26, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/26/sports/pro-basketball-ward-is-the-knicks-square-peg-with-a-round-ball.html | access-date = April 22, 2023}} Ward contributed 7.8 points, 5.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and Childs provided the Knicks with 6.3 points and 3.9 assists per game.

During the All-Star Weekend, Houston participated in the 2Ball competition, which replaced the Slam Dunk Contest this season, and Ward participated in the Three-Point Contest.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA Gets Rid of Dunk Contest | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = December 16, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-16-sp-64729-story.html | access-date = September 18, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA Slams Dunk Contest Out of Festivities | newspaper = Deseret News | date = December 16, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/12/16/19351671/nba-slams-dunk-contest-out-of-festivities | access-date = March 21, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Popper | first = Steve | title = N.B.A. All-Star Weekend: Kids Slam and Ham, But a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball | newspaper = The New York Times | date = February 8, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/08/sports/nba-all-star-weekend-kids-slam-ham-but-grown-up-shoots-for-dough-houston-pair.html | access-date = November 25, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = All-Star Show Slow Out of Blocks | newspaper = The Spokesman-Review | date = February 8, 1998 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/feb/08/all-star-show-slow-out-of-blocks/ | access-date = March 21, 2023}} Starks also finished in fourth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,{{cite web | last = Bender | first = Patricia | title = 1997–98 Regular Season Award Winners | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards98.html | access-date = December 30, 2024}}{{cite web | title = 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html | access-date = January 1, 2022}} and head coach Jeff Van Gundy finished tied in ninth place in Coach of the Year voting.

The 1998 NBA Playoffs matched the Knicks against the #2 seed Heat, who had eliminated the Knicks in the 1997 playoffs in a series that featured a brawl during Game 5.{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Playoffs Summary | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1997.html | access-date = May 21, 2011}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/15/sports/not-for-the-faint-hearted-knicks-heat-turns-nasty.html | access-date = July 27, 2018 }} The altercation led to the suspension of six players, including five Knicks.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6 | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/sports/5-knicks-barred-for-melee-3-to-miss-game-6.html | access-date = July 27, 2018 }} In the 1998 series, after the Heat took a 2–1 series lead,{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = The NBA Playoffs; Knicks Cave in, and a Season's on the Brink | newspaper = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-cave-in-and-a-season-s-on-the-brink.html | access-date = October 6, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Hyde | first = Dave | title = Heat Finds a Way to Finally Silence New Yorkers | newspaper = Sun-Sentinel | date = April 29, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-29-9804290045-story.html | access-date = October 6, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Heat Is On Knicks in Game 4 | newspaper = Orlando Sentinel | date = April 30, 1998 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1998-04-30-9804300345-story.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}} another brawl occurred in the closing seconds of Game 4, which the Knicks won at home, 90–85 to even the series at two games each. Johnson and Heat center Alonzo Mourning, both former teammates on the Charlotte Hornets, exchanged punches, and Van Gundy clung to one of Mourning's legs at one point in an attempt to separate the two.{{cite book|last=Herring|first=Chris|title=Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks|publisher=Atria Books|year=2022|pages=237–238|isbn=978-1-9821-3211-8}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = The N.B.A. Playoffs; Knicks Win in a Fight to the Finish | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 1, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/01/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-win-in-a-fight-to-the-finish.html | access-date = May 16, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks, Heat Slug It Out Again | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = May 1, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-01-sp-45244-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = The N.B.A. Playoffs; Suspensions, Again, Hit Knicks and Heat After N.B.A. Melee | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 2, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/sports/the-nba-playoffs-suspensions-again-hit-knicks-and-heat-after-nba-melee.html | access-date = January 13, 2022}}{{cite news | last1 = Sutton | first1 = Larry | last2 = Standora | first2 = Leo | title = Knicks & Heat Slug It Out: Johnson–Mourning Fight Clears the Benches | newspaper = New York Daily News | date = May 1, 1998 | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/knicks-heat-slug-johnson-mourning-fight-clears-benches-article-1.792770 | access-date = August 5, 2018}} Three players were suspended for Game 5: Johnson and Mourning were both suspended for two games, and Mills, who left the bench during the fight, was suspended for one game.{{cite news | title = Johnson, Mourning Suspended | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 2, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/05/02/johnson-mourning-suspended/06d47f49-e1ad-40ed-90f8-b51b7efd6c64/ | access-date = October 6, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Tough Play Big Part of Rileyball | newspaper = The Augusta Chronicle |agency= Associated Press | date = May 3, 1998 | url = http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/05/03/oth_227367.shtml | access-date = August 17, 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120921021041/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/05/03/oth_227367.shtml | archive-date = September 21, 2012 | url-status = dead }} The Knicks won Game 5 at Miami, 98–81, to advance to the second round,{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = The N.B.A. Playoffs; Staying Serene Under Pressure, the Knicks Oust Miami | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/04/sports/the-nba-playoffs-staying-serene-under-pressure-the-knicks-oust-miami.html | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Hyde | first = Dave | title = Down and Out | newspaper = Sun-Sentinel | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-05-04-9805030180-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Bembry | first = Jerry | title = Avenging Knicks Oust Heat with Mourning Out, N.Y. Prevails, 98–81 | newspaper = The Baltimore Sun | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-05-04-1998124099-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Heat | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-heat.html | access-date = February 3, 2023}} where they lost to the Pacers in five games.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = The N.B.A. Playoffs; Guarantees? Pacers Eliminate Knicks | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 14, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/14/sports/the-nba-playoffs-guarantees-pacers-eliminate-knicks.html | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = It's Bulls vs. Pacers for Title in East | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = May 14, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-14-sp-49727-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Finally: Pacers vs. Bulls | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 14, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/05/14/finally-pacers-vs-bulls/944afb8a-bf90-4f0f-a2b3-891d0a906775/ | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Pacers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-pacers.html | access-date = February 3, 2023}}

The Knicks finished fifth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 810,283 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season. Following the season, Oakley was traded to the Toronto Raptors after ten seasons in New York,{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Part with Oakley to Get Toronto's Camby | newspaper = The New York Times | date = June 25, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-part-with-oakley-to-get-toronto-s-camby.html | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = Knicks Trade Oakley for Camby | publisher = CBS News | date = June 25, 1998 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/knicks-trade-oakley-for-camby/ | access-date = June 23, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Exchange Oakley for Camby | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = June 26, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-26-sp-63919-story.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Knicks Deal Oakley to Raptors for Camby | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 26, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/06/26/knicks-deal-oakley-to-raptors-for-camby/a35cc1c8-e443-4b7d-8c8d-19a9087f92b5/ | access-date = June 23, 2023}} while Starks, Mills and Cummings were all traded to the Golden State Warriors,{{cite web | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = Knicks Get Spree, Lose Starks | publisher = CBS News | date = January 18, 1999 | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/knicks-get-spree-lose-starks/ | access-date = January 28, 2017}}{{cite news | title = Knicks Said to Agree to a Sprewell Trade | newspaper = The New York Times | date = January 19, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/19/sports/knicks-said-to-agree-to-a-sprewell-trade.html | access-date = June 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Sprewell, Pippen on the Move | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 19, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/19/sprewell-pippen-on-the-move/e64dd8ea-450c-4c6e-8b3b-97c3b1a7540e/ | access-date = June 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Knicks Acquiring Sprewell Highlights Six-Deal Day | website = The Houston Roundball Review | date = January 21, 1999 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'98-'99season/0121Sprewell_5more.html | access-date = June 23, 2023}} who Starks had previously played for during the 1988–89 season.{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Overlooked No More, Starks Gives Knicks a Lift | newspaper = The New York Times | date = December 13, 1990 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/13/sports/overlooked-no-more-starks-gives-knicks-a-lift.html | access-date = September 5, 2022}} Meanwhile, former All-Star forward Buck Williams retired after seventeen seasons in the NBA.{{cite news | title = Pro Basketball; Buck Williams Ends Career | newspaper = The New York Times | date = January 28, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/28/sports/pro-basketball-buck-williams-ends-career.html | access-date = May 13, 2016}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = On Pro Basketball; Nets Are Set to Honor a Past Guiding Force | newspaper = The New York Times | date = April 11, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/11/sports/on-pro-basketball-nets-are-set-to-honor-a-past-guiding-force.html | access-date = January 8, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Kernan | first = Kevin | title = Buck Has Retired, But He's Not Through Yet | newspaper = New York Post | date = April 11, 1999 | url = https://nypost.com/1999/04/11/buck-has-retired-but-hes-not-through-yet/ | access-date = January 8, 2023}}

For the season, the Knicks changed their home uniforms, adding blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts,{{cite web | title = New York Knicks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/1itneopesym5zqdw5foo7b0rq/New_York_Knicks/1998/Home_Uniform | access-date = July 7, 2021}} while their alternate uniforms they wore on the road frequently for the previous two seasons became their primary road jerseys.{{cite web | title = New York Knicks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/bhb6b0d37eguj260zwhfh0zrp/New_York_Knicks/1998/Road_Uniform | access-date = July 7, 2021}} Both uniforms remained in use until 2012, although they were slightly redesigned in 2001, where the side panels were removed from the bottom of their shorts.{{cite web | title = New York Knicks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/gssxg3tqrk4zp8er3iznrqdgx/New_York_Knicks/2002/Home_Uniform | access-date = November 25, 2021}}{{cite web | title = New York Knicks Uniform | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/2pe480hl3onqczh6mt532pdml/New_York_Knicks/2002/Road_Uniform | access-date = November 25, 2021}}