San Antonio sets RECORD attendance of 68,323 for an NBA regular-season game, shattering the previous mark from 1998 as the Spurs return to the Alamodome to face the Warriors (and even a heavy defeat can’t spoil the party atmosphere!)
- The Spurs returned to the Alamodome Friday for their 50th anniversary season
- San Antonio announced an attendance of 68,323, setting a new NBA record
- It shattered the previous record who gathered to watch Michael Jordan in 1998
- The Spurs ultimately lost 144-113 to the reigning NBA champions Friday night
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The San Antonio Spurs’ game against the Golden State Warriors smashed the attendance record for an NBA regular-season fixture Friday night.
The Spurs announced an attendance of 68,323 at the Alamodome, returning to their former home to face the Warriors to celebrate their 50th anniversary season.
It shattered the previous record of 62,046 who gathered to watch Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls play the Atlanta Hawks at the Georgia Dome on March 27, 1998.
The Spurs’ game vs. the Warriors smashed the attendance for an NBA regular-season fixture
The Spurs announced an attendance of 68,323 as they returned to their former home Friday
Spurs Hall of Famer David Robinson announced the official attendance at the close of the third quarter. Robinson said, ‘Spurs fans have again set the standard for the league.’
Fans began chanting ‘Go Spurs Go! Go Spurs Go!’ after the announcement.
‘Yeah, that´s pretty different,’ San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said of the record crowd. ‘It´s a situation where you know … are they selling alcohol? I think that people will be pretty fired up.
‘It is just an exciting moment for everybody. It is nostalgic for everybody. To have that many people in one building, to be able to play in front of them, is pretty damn exciting, actually. We hope it is a good game.’
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Spurs Hall of Famer David Robinson announced the record at the close of the third quarter
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said everyone inside the Alamodome ‘was fired up’
San Antonio now plays its home games at the AT&T Center but returned to the Alamodome as part of the franchise´s 50th anniversary celebration.
But the Warriors rained on the Spurs’ parade, thrashing the hosts 144-113 to sour the celebrations.
While the Spurs (13-30) are having one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the chance to play at the Alamodome gave fans a chance to relive a former era for the team.
‘Having my son here with me sharing a past and present memory will be cherished by both of us for years,’ said Spurs fan Eric Hernandez, who previously attended games at the Alamodome.
San Antonio returned to the Alamodome as part of its 50th anniversary celebration
San Antonio started at the HemisFair Arena in 1973, but the Alamodome is where the team took its first steps to becoming one of the most respected NBA franchises.
The Spurs played in the Alamodome from 1993 to 2002 before moving 3.1 miles south to the AT&T Center.
San Antonio won its first NBA championship in 1999 while playing in the Alamodome and held its championship celebration in the downtown facility.
The Alamodome also hosted the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, where Michael Jordan was booed for winning MVP over former San Antonio resident Shaquille O´Neal.
The Alamodome is where the Spur became one of the most respected NBA franchises
‘It´s crazy,’ said Taro Kotani, a Spurs fan visiting from Japan. ‘The amount of people here. I´ve never been inside the Dome, so just imagining what it was like here during ´96 All-Star Game and ´99 Finals is so nostalgic. I wasn´t there but this brings back lots of memories.’
Kotani planned his annual trip to San Antonio around Friday´s game because he wanted to be a part of history.
The Alamodome is now home to UTSA Roadrunners football.
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