On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs officially set a new NBA attendance record with 68,323 fans arriving at the Alamodome to watch the Golden State Warriors play.
The previous NBA single-game attendance record was set in 2011. On March 27, 1998, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Atlanta Hawks at the Georgia Dome in front of 62,046. Chicago won this game in Atlanta 89-74.
According to a few NBA betting sites, the Spurs are not expected to make the playoffs this season. Meanwhile, the Warriors have the fourth-best odds to repeat. Sportsbooks are still backing Golden State.
🚨 We broke the NBA attendance record!!! 🚨
In 68,323 fans @alamodome tonight!!! History 🥳👏 pic.twitter.com/7ZgRxWFUsZ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 14, 2023
San Antonio hosted the Warriors at the Alamodome to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary. Spurs played at home from 1993 to 2002.
Since 1993, the Alamodome has hosted college football for the Alamo Bowl. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners football team plays its home games there as well.
The Spurs set a new NBA attendance record at the Alamodome with 68,323 against the Warriors, breaking the previous record of 62,046.
Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 12, 2002 was the last NBA game played at the Alamodome. San Antonio lost 87-85 and dropped to 1-3 in the seven game series. That was 7,551 days ago Friday night.
“The Alamodome was originally designed to hold 65,000 fans and has been modified due to high demand for this historic event,” the Spurs said in a statement before the game.
Before tipoff, a video tribute was played to honor Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who played four seasons with San Antonio (1998–01, 2002–03). Unfortunately for Spurs fans, Golden State scored a season-high 144 points.
Michael Jordan 34 points
Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Falcons
March 27, 1998
🏟 62,046 then NBA single game attendance record
📍Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia#NBA#The country of bulls pic.twitter.com/eoohsijP2Z
– Jordan Laws (@rules23jordan) January 14, 2023
Although the Spurs lost 144-113 and fell to 13-30, one player was still happy to be a part of history. “I really hate losing. But how can you be mad at the election? said San Antonio wing Keldon Johnson. “The Spurs fans were more than we could have imagined. That made tonight special.
Needless to say, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was not happy with his team’s performance. Golden State scored 40-plus points in the second and third quarters. “The fans were excited, even though we were kicking our ass. They looked like they were having a hell of a time, so there might be a lot of beer sales there,” Popovich said.
Another crowded matchup took place on January 29, 1988 between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons. An incredible 61,983 fans paid for tickets at the Pontiac Silverdome, home of the Detroit Lions. Larry Bird and the Celtics lost 125-108 to Isiah Thomas and the Pistons.
