Few athletes have left as indelible a mark on sports history as Michael Jordan. The six-time NBA champion wasn’t just a basketball player—he was a global icon who transformed the NBA into an international spectacle. His competitive drive, clutch performances, and flair for the dramatic made him must-watch television in the 80s and 90s.
While his career was filled with highlight reels, a few games stand above the rest as defining moments that every basketball fan should rewatch. These aren’t just games—they’re cultural touchstones, etched in basketball history. Let’s revisit some of Michael Jordan’s greatest performances.
1. The Flu Game (Game 5, 1997 NBA Finals vs. Utah Jazz)
Perhaps the most legendary of all Jordan moments, the “Flu Game” was more than basketball—it was myth-making. On June 11, 1997, Jordan took the court visibly ill, battling what was reported as flu-like symptoms (later speculated to be food poisoning).
Despite being visibly drained, he played 44 minutes and scored 38 points, leading the Bulls to a crucial 90-88 win over the Jazz. His collapse into Scottie Pippen’s arms after the final whistle became one of the most iconic images in NBA history.
👉 Why rewatch? Because it shows Jordan’s willpower, determination, and ability to deliver even when his body begged him to stop.
2. The Shot (Game 5, 1989 First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers)
Long before the championships, Jordan cemented his reputation as a clutch performer with what fans simply call “The Shot.”
Down by one with three seconds left, Jordan hit a jumper over Craig Ehlo to give the Bulls the win and advance to the next round. The image of Jordan leaping into the air in celebration while Ehlo collapsed in despair is burned into NBA folklore.
👉 Why rewatch? It’s Jordan at his purest—hungry, explosive, and announcing to the world that he was here to dominate.
3. The Double Nickel Game (55 Points vs. New York Knicks, March 28, 1995)
After retiring in 1993 and briefly pursuing baseball, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995. Just five games into his comeback, he dropped 55 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The performance reminded everyone that Jordan hadn’t lost a step. Not only did he score at will, but he also made the game-winning assist to Bill Wennington, proving he could still elevate his teammates.
👉 Why rewatch? Because it’s the ultimate “I’m back” statement from the greatest player ever.
4. Game 6, 1998 NBA Finals vs. Utah Jazz (The Last Shot)
Jordan’s final game as a Chicago Bull was the stuff of legends. With the Bulls trailing by three in the final minute, Jordan scored a quick basket, stole the ball from Karl Malone, and hit the game-winning jumper over Bryon Russell with 5.2 seconds left.
It was his sixth championship, his sixth Finals MVP, and his final iconic moment in a Bulls jersey.
👉 Why rewatch? Because it feels like Hollywood scripted it—the perfect ending to a perfect career.
5. Game 2, 1986 Playoffs vs. Boston Celtics (63 Points)
Facing one of the greatest teams ever—the 1986 Boston Celtics led by Larry Bird—Jordan delivered the best individual scoring performance in playoff history: 63 points.
Even though the Bulls lost in double overtime, Bird famously said, “That was God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
👉 Why rewatch? To see a 23-year-old Jordan announce himself as a force the league couldn’t contain.
6. The 1992 NBA Finals, Game 1 vs. Portland Trail Blazers (The Shrug Game)
Jordan scored 35 points in the first half, including a then-record six three-pointers. After draining his sixth, he famously turned to the broadcast table and shrugged, as if even he couldn’t believe it.
The Bulls went on to win the game and eventually the series, but the shrug moment has become one of the most replayed highlights in Finals history.
👉 Why rewatch? It shows Jordan not just dominating, but also enjoying the game in a way that electrified fans worldwide.
7. Game 4, 1993 NBA Finals vs. Phoenix Suns (55 Points)
Jordan averaged an insane 41 points per game during the 1993 Finals, and Game 4 against Charles Barkley’s Suns was his peak. He scored 55 points and carried the Bulls to a pivotal win in a high-scoring duel.
👉 Why rewatch? Because it was Jordan at his offensive peak, torching a Finals defense with unstoppable precision.
Why These Games Still Matter
Michael Jordan’s career is filled with highlight reels, but these games stand out because they embody what made him the greatest of all time:
- Clutch gene: Jordan always rose to the moment.
- Versatility: He could score, defend, pass, and lead.
- Charisma: Every performance felt bigger than basketball.
- Cultural impact: These moments transcended sports and became part of pop culture.
For younger fans who never saw Jordan live, these games are essential viewing to understand why his legacy endures. For older fans, rewatching them is a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of basketball.
Final Thoughts
Michael Jordan wasn’t just a basketball player—he was a storyteller. Each of these games tells a different story: grit in the Flu Game, youth and hunger in The Shot, dominance in the Shrug Game, and poetic closure in The Last Shot.
Whether you watch them on YouTube highlights or full-game replays, these performances remind us why Jordan is still the benchmark for greatness.