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After having won their first NBA championship in 1999, where they defeated the ] in five games, the Spurs signed free agents ],<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Spurs Sign Veteran Porter | work = CBS News | date = August 5, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spurs-sign-veteran-porter/ | access-date = September 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs Add Terry Porter | work = United Press International | date = August 5, 1999 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/08/05/Spurs-add-Terry-Porter/1307933825600/ | access-date = April 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- SAN ANTONIO; Porter Going to the Spurs | work = The New York Times | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/06/sports/plus-pro-basketball-san-antonio-porter-going-to-the-spurs.html | access-date = July 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Suns Strike Free-Agent Gold by Making Deal for Penny | work = Deseret News | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/6/19459273/suns-strike-free-agent-gold-by-making-deal-for-penny | access-date = July 2, 2023}}</ref> ] and ] during the off-season.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Wizards Might Have a Spot Fit for a King | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 19, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/10/19/wizards-might-have-a-spot-fit-for-a-king/ee5fc294-7c11-4be8-9b24-28116855ea71/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best | work = The New York Times | date = October 31, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html | access-date = January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Spurs Tower Over Warriors | work = CBS News| date = November 5, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spurs-tower-over-warriors-04-11-1999/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref> ] received a kidney transplant in August 1999 and missed the first four months of the season.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Kidney Failure Imperils Career of Spurs' Elliott | work = The New York Times | date = July 22, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/sports/pro-basketball-kidney-failure-imperils-career-of-spurs-elliott.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Shannon | first = Kelley | title = Spurs' Elliott Needs Kidney Transplant | work = The Ledger | date = July 22, 1999 | url = https://www.theledger.com/story/news/1999/07/22/spurs-elliott-needs-kidney-transplant/7989730007/ | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Is Stable After Receiving Brother's Kidney | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 17, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/17/spurs-elliott-is-stable-after-receiving-brothers-kidney/8ab3833f-229e-4383-99df-c43240feb2e0/ | access-date = May 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Doing Well After Transplant | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 20, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/20/spurs-elliott-doing-well-after-transplant/9415195a-3d58-4ce7-95e7-ba4758f43080/ | access-date = May 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Mathewson | first = Eryn | title = Sean Elliott: What Life Is Like for "Memorial Day Miracle"; NBA Star After Kidney Transplant | work = CNN | date = May 24, 2023 | url = https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/24/sport/sean-elliott-kidney-transplant-spt-intl/index.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}</ref> The Spurs won 14 of their first 17 games, including a seven-game winning streak.<ref>{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = BASKETBALL; Before Losing, Surprising Nets Give Spurs a Scare | work = The New York Times | date = December 3, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/03/sports/basketball-before-losing-surprising-nets-give-spurs-a-scare.html | access-date = January 21, 2022}}</ref> The team held a 32–17 record at the All-Star break,<ref>{{cite news | title = NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 | access-date = July 22, 2022}}</ref> with ] and ] were both selected for the ],<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Stockton, Malone Among All-Star Reserves | work = ESPN | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0201/328614.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA All-Star Team Selected | work = CBS News | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-all-star-team-selected/ | access-date = May 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = | title = NBA All-Star 2000 | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490723/nba-all-star-2000 | access-date = January 9, 2023}}</ref> where Duncan and ] of the ] were both named co-MVP's.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = A Fun Show, Starring O'Neal and Duncan | work = The New York Times | date = February 14, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/021400bkn-allstar.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = West Has Big Day in Victory | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 14, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-14-sp-64254-story.html | access-date = November 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2000 | access-date = May 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Game: West 137, East 126 | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html | accessdate = October 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_star_mvp.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}</ref> At mid-season, Brown was released. On March 14, 2000, Elliott returned to play in a 94–79 home win over the ]; he competed in the season's final 19 games.<ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs Activate Sean Elliott | work = United Press International | date = March 13, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/03/13/Spurs-activate-Sean-Elliott/4698952923600/ | access-date = June 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Markus | first = Don | title = Elliott's Rebound on His Fingertips; NBA: Seven Months After Kidney Transplant Surgery, Forward Sean Elliott Is Expected to Make a Historic Return Tonight for the San Antonio Spurs | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = March 14, 2000 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-03-14-0003140016-story.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Elliott Returns to Lineup After Kidney Transplant | work = The New York Times | date = March 15, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/15/sports/pro-basketball-elliott-returns-to-lineup-after-kidney-transplant.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Plays It Again | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = March 15, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/03/15/spurs-elliott-plays-it-again/73a5ff29-2634-43bd-afce-cc2365058454/ | access-date = July 3, 2023}}</ref> |
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After having won their first NBA championship in 1999, where they defeated the ] in five games, the Spurs signed free agents ],<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Spurs Sign Veteran Porter | work = CBS News | date = August 5, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spurs-sign-veteran-porter/ | access-date = September 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs Add Terry Porter | work = United Press International | date = August 5, 1999 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/08/05/Spurs-add-Terry-Porter/1307933825600/ | access-date = April 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- SAN ANTONIO; Porter Going to the Spurs | work = The New York Times | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/06/sports/plus-pro-basketball-san-antonio-porter-going-to-the-spurs.html | access-date = July 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Suns Strike Free-Agent Gold by Making Deal for Penny | work = Deseret News | date = August 6, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/6/19459273/suns-strike-free-agent-gold-by-making-deal-for-penny | access-date = July 2, 2023}}</ref> ] and ] during the off-season.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Wizards Might Have a Spot Fit for a King | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 19, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/10/19/wizards-might-have-a-spot-fit-for-a-king/ee5fc294-7c11-4be8-9b24-28116855ea71/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best | work = The New York Times | date = October 31, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html | access-date = January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Spurs Tower Over Warriors | work = CBS News| date = November 5, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spurs-tower-over-warriors-04-11-1999/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref> ] received a kidney transplant in August 1999 and missed the first four months of the season.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Kidney Failure Imperils Career of Spurs' Elliott | work = The New York Times | date = July 22, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/sports/pro-basketball-kidney-failure-imperils-career-of-spurs-elliott.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Shannon | first = Kelley | title = Spurs' Elliott Needs Kidney Transplant | work = The Ledger | date = July 22, 1999 | url = https://www.theledger.com/story/news/1999/07/22/spurs-elliott-needs-kidney-transplant/7989730007/ | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Is Stable After Receiving Brother's Kidney | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 17, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/17/spurs-elliott-is-stable-after-receiving-brothers-kidney/8ab3833f-229e-4383-99df-c43240feb2e0/ | access-date = May 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Doing Well After Transplant | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 20, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/20/spurs-elliott-doing-well-after-transplant/9415195a-3d58-4ce7-95e7-ba4758f43080/ | access-date = May 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Mathewson | first = Eryn | title = Sean Elliott: What Life Is Like for "Memorial Day Miracle"; NBA Star After Kidney Transplant | work = CNN | date = May 24, 2023 | url = https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/24/sport/sean-elliott-kidney-transplant-spt-intl/index.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}</ref> The Spurs won 14 of their first 17 games, including a seven-game winning streak.<ref>{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = BASKETBALL; Before Losing, Surprising Nets Give Spurs a Scare | work = The New York Times | date = December 3, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/03/sports/basketball-before-losing-surprising-nets-give-spurs-a-scare.html | access-date = January 21, 2022}}</ref> The team held a 32–17 record at the All-Star break,<ref>{{cite news | title = NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 | access-date = July 22, 2022}}</ref> and ] and ] were both selected for the ],<ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Stockton, Malone Among All-Star Reserves | work = ESPN | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0201/328614.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA All-Star Team Selected | work = CBS News | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-all-star-team-selected/ | access-date = May 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = | title = NBA All-Star 2000 | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490723/nba-all-star-2000 | access-date = January 9, 2023}}</ref> where Duncan and ] of the ] were both named co-MVP's.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = A Fun Show, Starring O'Neal and Duncan | work = The New York Times | date = February 14, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/021400bkn-allstar.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = West Has Big Day in Victory | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 14, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-14-sp-64254-story.html | access-date = November 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2000 | access-date = May 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Game: West 137, East 126 | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html | accessdate = October 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_star_mvp.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}</ref> At mid-season, Brown was released. On March 14, 2000, Elliott returned to play in a 94–79 home win over the ]; he competed in the season's final 19 games.<ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs Activate Sean Elliott | work = United Press International | date = March 13, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/03/13/Spurs-activate-Sean-Elliott/4698952923600/ | access-date = June 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Markus | first = Don | title = Elliott's Rebound on His Fingertips; NBA: Seven Months After Kidney Transplant Surgery, Forward Sean Elliott Is Expected to Make a Historic Return Tonight for the San Antonio Spurs | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = March 14, 2000 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-03-14-0003140016-story.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Elliott Returns to Lineup After Kidney Transplant | work = The New York Times | date = March 15, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/15/sports/pro-basketball-elliott-returns-to-lineup-after-kidney-transplant.html | access-date = October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Spurs' Elliott Plays It Again | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = March 15, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/03/15/spurs-elliott-plays-it-again/73a5ff29-2634-43bd-afce-cc2365058454/ | access-date = July 3, 2023}}</ref> |
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Shortly before the season ended, Duncan suffered a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news | last = Shannon | first = Kelley | title = Spurs' Duncan May Face Knee Surgery | work = Associated Press | date = April 19, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/85384fbc461ad2f880945f618cc2db68 | access-date = November 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Duncan Out for Game 2 | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = April 25, 2000 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-04-25-0004250271-story.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Injured Duncan Still Uncertain for Spurs | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 28, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-28-sp-24463-story.html | access-date = July 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Tim Duncan Has Knee Surgery | work = United Press International | date = May 24, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/24/Tim-Duncan-has-knee-surgery/5673959140800/ | access-date = September 13, 2022}}</ref> The Spurs finished second in the Midwest Division with a 53–29 record.<ref name="results">{{cite web|title=1999–2000 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2000_games.html|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> Without Duncan, they were eliminated in the first round of the ] by the fitth-seeded ] in four games.<ref>{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Spurs Go from Glory to Painful Exit | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-03-sp-26049-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = No Kidd-ing, Spurs Ousted | work = CBS News | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-kidd-ing-spurs-ousted/ | access-date = November 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Phoenix 89, San Antonio 78 | work = United Press International | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/03/Phoenix-89-San-Antonio-78/4863957326400/ | access-date = July 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 2000 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. Spurs | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-western-conference-first-round-suns-vs-spurs.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}}</ref> |
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Shortly before the season ended, Duncan suffered a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news | last = Shannon | first = Kelley | title = Spurs' Duncan May Face Knee Surgery | work = Associated Press | date = April 19, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/85384fbc461ad2f880945f618cc2db68 | access-date = November 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Duncan Out for Game 2 | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = April 25, 2000 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2000-04-25-0004250271-story.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Injured Duncan Still Uncertain for Spurs | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 28, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-28-sp-24463-story.html | access-date = July 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Tim Duncan Has Knee Surgery | work = United Press International | date = May 24, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/24/Tim-Duncan-has-knee-surgery/5673959140800/ | access-date = September 13, 2022}}</ref> The Spurs finished second in the Midwest Division with a 53–29 record.<ref name="results">{{cite web|title=1999–2000 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2000_games.html|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> Without Duncan, they were eliminated in the first round of the ] by the fitth-seeded ] in four games.<ref>{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Spurs Go from Glory to Painful Exit | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-03-sp-26049-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = No Kidd-ing, Spurs Ousted | work = CBS News | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-kidd-ing-spurs-ousted/ | access-date = November 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Phoenix 89, San Antonio 78 | work = United Press International | date = May 3, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/03/Phoenix-89-San-Antonio-78/4863957326400/ | access-date = July 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = 2000 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. Spurs | work = Basketball-Reference | date = | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-western-conference-first-round-suns-vs-spurs.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}}</ref> |