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Tennessee's ties to Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
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- Tennessee's ties to Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York will play San Antonio on Saturday in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Tipoff between the Knicks and Spurs is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. ABC will televise the matchup.
New York leads the series, 3-1, and can clinch its first NBA championship since 1973.
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The 2026 NBA Finals are a rematch of the 1999 championship series, won by the Spurs, 4-1. The 1999 NBA Finals had Tennessee ties.
Former Vol Ernie Grunfeld was general manager for the Knicks. He was dismissed with eight games remaining in the regular season by Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts.
Former Tennessee guard Allan Houston played for New York and former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward, now the head men's basketball coach at Florida A&M, was a two-sport athlete for the Seminoles. He won the 1993 Heisman Trophy over runner-up Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler .
New York's roster also included Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson , Marcus Camby, Latrell Sprewell and Rick Brunson.
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Grunfeld played for the Vols from 1973-77 for head coach Ray Mears . His No. 22 jersey number is retired by Tennessee.
Houston's No. 20 jersey number is also retired by Tennessee.
More: No. 1 Tennessee defeats Miami at Madison Square Garden
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
June 23, 1999: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks puts up a shot over Sean Elliott #32 of the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the NBA Finals at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
15 June 15, 1999: Allan Houston of the New York Knicks chats with the media before practice in preparation for game one of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Knicks will play the San Antonio Spurs.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks goes to the basket past David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks shoots over Mario Elie of the San Antonio Spurs in first quarter action during game one of the NBA Finals 16 June 1999 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Larry Johnson (C) hugs teammate Allan Houston (L) as Kurt Thomas looks on after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the NBA finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won the game 89-81.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) goes for a shot in front of San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson during game four of the NBA Finals 23 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) shoots over San Antonio Spurs player Antonio Daniels during game three of the NBA Finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Spurs lead the series 2-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston of the New York Knicks warms up June 24, 1999 before practice at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Knicks trail the San Antonio Spurs three games to one in the NBA Finals best-of-seven game series.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (L) drives by San Antonio Spurs player Mario Elie during game five of the NBA Finals 25 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks players Latrell Sprewell (8), Charlie Ward (21), Allan Houston and Larry Johnson (R) react after the team was given a technical foul for an illegal defense during Game 1 of the 1999 NBA Finals June 16. The Knicks lost the game to San Antonio, 89-77.
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
New York Knicks' Allan Houston (R) moves the ball around San Antonio Spurs' Jaren Jackson during first quarter action in Game 3 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 21.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
New York Knicks guard Allan Houston (R) shoots past the outstretched defense of San Antonio Spurs guard Jaren Jackson during action in the second quarter of Game 4 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 23.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
Tim Duncan (TOP) of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against Allan Houston and Chris Dudley (R) of the New York Knicks 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
June 23, 1999: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks puts up a shot over Sean Elliott #32 of the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the NBA Finals at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
15 June 15, 1999: Allan Houston of the New York Knicks chats with the media before practice in preparation for game one of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Knicks will play the San Antonio Spurs.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks goes to the basket past David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks shoots over Mario Elie of the San Antonio Spurs in first quarter action during game one of the NBA Finals 16 June 1999 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Larry Johnson (C) hugs teammate Allan Houston (L) as Kurt Thomas looks on after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the NBA finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won the game 89-81.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) goes for a shot in front of San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson during game four of the NBA Finals 23 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) shoots over San Antonio Spurs player Antonio Daniels during game three of the NBA Finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Spurs lead the series 2-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston of the New York Knicks warms up June 24, 1999 before practice at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Knicks trail the San Antonio Spurs three games to one in the NBA Finals best-of-seven game series.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (L) drives by San Antonio Spurs player Mario Elie during game five of the NBA Finals 25 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP via Getty Images)
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Tennessee's ties to Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks players Latrell Sprewell (8), Charlie Ward (21), Allan Houston and Larry Johnson (R) react after the team was given a technical foul for an illegal defense during Game 1 of the 1999 NBA Finals June 16. The Knicks lost the game to San Antonio, 89-77.
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks' Allan Houston (R) moves the ball around San Antonio Spurs' Jaren Jackson during first quarter action in Game 3 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 21.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks guard Allan Houston (R) shoots past the outstretched defense of San Antonio Spurs guard Jaren Jackson during action in the second quarter of Game 4 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 23.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
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PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Tim Duncan (TOP) of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against Allan Houston and Chris Dudley (R) of the New York Knicks 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: 1999 New York Knicks' ties to Tennessee basketball
