The Flu Game
Visibly ill and dehydrated, Michael Jordan scored 38 points in a pivotal 1997 Finals game.
Before Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan was reportedly kept up all night by illness and looked visibly drained during warmups, leading to speculation he might not be able to play.
Jordan played all but small stretches of the game, finishing with 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, including a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls held on for a one-point win.
The performance, forever nicknamed 'The Flu Game,' became one of the most cited examples of Jordan's competitive reputation and endurance, later revisited in the ESPN documentary series 'The Last Dance.'
Connected moments
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The Last Shot
Jordan's title-clinching jump shot over Bryon Russell closed out his final championship as a Bull.