Michael Jordan 1989: 48pts Vs. Dominique & Hawks

In the annals of NBA history, this is a rather meaningless, midseason game but drama was always there with Dominique around. MJ and 'Nique's legendary battles were the most spectacular individual, acrobatic battles to this day. Years prior had MJ scoring 61 to return the favor for Dominique's 57 (the highest scoring game by anyone against MJ ever) mixed in with 41s, 39s, 45s, super dunks, hang-time shots and the like.

With the great Moses Malone still a terror inside and Atlanta's 52-30 record running close to Chicago's 47 wins going into the playoffs later that year, this matchup had MJ producing a sickening 48pt, 9reb, 10ast and 3stls game with clutch stops, assists, baskets and fts to come from 14 down to win by 3. There are some rare, unseen moves here as every game during this era had MJ creating spectacular shots in the moment of improvisation. But behind MJ's attack was his team leadership which brought out the best in his team to win. MJ dominated, calmly, and as usual, in typical Jordanlike fashion.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Dominique
• Wilkins
• Magic
• lakers
• kobe
• bryant
• lebron
• james
• dwyane
• wade
• shaq
• Allen
• Iverson
• Tmac
• Vince
• Carter

[OczonBarbaraagm]

hoopsencyclopedia, it's this exact clip why I begun to play basketball. in conjunction with every single ankle breakers. If you cannot dunk yet, you definitely have to start training. I highly recommend that you make an effort with the program I'm using - 50inchvertical(dot)com - Im 5'8 not to mention I am able to dunk!

[h0opman]

@hoopsencyclopedia which Jordan dunk are you talking about? date and against?

[franzken]

HD quality

[mananmater]

malone, the best.

[2011ROY]

4 minutes 19 seconds into this video, all i can do is shake my head

it just wasnt fair how good mike was; wasnt fair i tell ya!

[addicusbrown]

Great job hoopsencyclopedia. It is clear Jordan had a physical advantage over most of the competition.  He was simply, faster, stronger and was able to jump higher than most. Add in his will and domination was the name of the game.

[Rohitevelmathew]

spudd webb can jump!!...ahh well michael can fly :D

[GNugget151]

Oh yeah I forgot that being a 12 time all star out of 13 seasons isn't anything, or a Finals MVP, two all star game MVPs, Leading your team to 2 NBA championships, being an ALL NBA First teamer, and winning a gold medal prior to all this means nothing. Maybe a better scorer? There is no maybe, he was. Isiah was a better all around point guard than John Stockton. Whatever his team needed him to do, whether it was scoring, passing, defense, or leadership he did and you saw the results as a player.

[fundy23]

Better in which category? Assists? No. Defense? Stockton is I believe still the all time steals leader so no. Maybe Isaiah was a better scorer but on this team they didn't need scoring. The only category Isaiah can be considered the best in is "Best Former Player to Ruin the Most Franchises"

[GNugget151]

Isiah Thomas was a better all around point guard and player than John Stockton at that time and had 2 titles so yes you would replace stockton with Isiah Thomas