This 1999 Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Intro Will Have You Ready for the Rematch

It’s been a rough couple of years for the NBA in terms of the Finals failing to grab national attention.

That won’t be the case this year.

You have the New York Knicks, backed off a magical, dominant run with celebrities of every form in attendance, making their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years.

And on the other end, you have a 7-foot-4 generational athlete by the name of Victor Wembanyama, who has made it to the championship in his first-ever postseason.

It’s a scriptwriter’s dream come true, as we have the shorter, overlooked Jalen Brunson facing off against a literal titan in Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

More news: The New York Knicks Are No Cinderella - They Can Win It All

More news: Chet Holmgren Just Humiliated Himself on the NBA's Biggest Stage

On top of that, it’s a rematch 27 years in the making, as the Knicks’ last opponent in the NBA Finals was the Spurs all those years ago in 1999, when Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich began what would turn into a 15-year run of golden moments and trophies.

As fans are already getting excited for Game 1 on Wednesday in San Antonio, the intro from the 1999 NBA Finals was recently uploaded to social media, with Bob Costas welcoming us to the extravaganza.

It was the beginning of a new era in the NBA, with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls officially putting to rest their dynasty as a slew of new teams and main characters tried to usurp the kings from the midwest.

In the end, there were two teams left standing: the surging Spurs behind “The Admiral” David Robinson and a young superstar named Duncan, facing off with the No. 8 seed New York Knicks, who made an improbable journey through the Eastern Conference to make it to the Finals.

What was old is now new again, and though the names have changed and the graphics might be updated, the same excitement runs through these upcoming NBA Finals as the one that tipped off 27 years ago.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 3:35 PM.