Game 5, known as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordan's most memorable. On Tuesday, Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning. The Bulls' trainers told Jordan that there was no way he could play the next day. The Jazz had just won Games 3 & 4 to tie the series at 2, and Chicago needed their leader in this crucial swing game. In the NBA Finals best-of-7 format, Game 5 is critical, since the winner would be just one game away from the NBA title. Against all odds, Jordan rose from bed at 3 p.m., just in time for the 6 o'clock tip-off at the Delta Center.
Jordan was visibly weak and pale as he stepped on the court for Game 5. At first, he displayed no energy whatsoever, and John Stockton, along with reigning MVP Karl Malone, quickly led the Jazz to a 16-point lead (36-20) in the second quarter. But Jordan started to sink shots despite lacking his usual explosive speed. He scored 17 points in the quarter as the Bulls hit the front with a furious rally before halftime. Luc Longley and Scottie Pippen did their best to keep the Bulls in the game while Jordan was fatigued in the third, but the Jazz reclaimed the lead and pushed it to 8 (77-69) early. Then MJ turned it on again, scoring 15 fourth quarter points. With 46.5 seconds left and Chicago down 85-84, he was at the free throw line. He made the first to tie the game, but missed the second. Toni Kukoc tapped the offensive rebound to Jordan, who stepped back to set up the offense. He found Pippen, who drew a double team, then passed the ball back to a now wide-open Jordan, who proceeded to hit a 3 to give the Bulls an 88-85 lead with 25 seconds left.
Chicago withstood a late Utah push and held on for a narrow victory when John Stockton missed the first of two free throws in front of the stunned crowd. Malone was the highest-scoring Jazz player with 19 points but suffered from dreadful shooting, throwing up an off-balance airball on the possession prior to Jordan's big 3-pointer. Malone finished the second half 1-for-6 from the field. In total, Jordan played 44 minutes while being perpetually at the brink of fainting. He finished the game with 38 points including an impressive putback dunk, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. With only a few seconds remaining and the game finally in hand, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms.
i dont believe he have a flu it is a lie until they can make a prove
mroboiz 19 hours ago
Had the Flu & still won a Ring!
whosDolly 20 hours ago
@Drummero they want crazy on all the other dunks...its cause its not their home team idiot
alanlancer008 1 day ago
i think he was fine. playing hard basketball with a fever/flu will make you faint.
alanlancer008 1 day ago
thanks for upload!
somarz81 2 days ago
greatest performance in nba finals history!
lionelangemario 3 days ago
@IR305
lucky you man, its fuzzy for me. its a good thing they recorded this historic game
joker0187 4 days ago
@karimisbeast i did too, 15 years ago. ill probably watch it again though
nutsack666 4 days ago
thanks for these full games dude. you got any more bulls games from back in the day? any from the 95-96 season?
nutsack666 4 days ago
@Drummero That's cuz fans and sportscenter make everything a big deal now.
djg34djg 5 days ago