On this day in Chicago Bulls history: The Michael Jordan “Flu Game”

Michael Jordan is considered the GOAT by many, if not most. There are many MJ moments, but there is one we look back on in almost in reverence: The Flu Game.

Just before tip-off Ahmad Rashad, in his heyday riding Jordan’s coattails, reported that Michael Jordan was suffering from the flu. Admittedly, I’m a Chicago Bulls fan so this late news had me a little shaken.

The Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz were tied at two games apiece and Game 5 was in Utah. The Jazz, once down 0-2 in the series, had the momentum. Now a sick MJ combined with a partying Dennis Rodman didn’t bode well for Chicago. Rodman had nearly as much trouble staying out of Las Vegas that series as he did battling with the referees. He had traveled to Sin City not once but twice between games 4 and 5. The Bulls were now looking at 3 straight losses heading back to Chicago.

The Bulls then came out sluggish to start the game, only adding to my agitation. When the cameras would close in on MJ’s face, his look was almost hollow.  He clearly wasn’t himself and I was doubting that he would last the whole game. Let’s remember, the Jazz had two Hall of Famers in Karl Malone and John Stockton on their squad – they weren’t slouches by any means. As the Jazz jumped out to an early 14 point lead, I started thinking the Bulls might actually have to go 7 games in order to win the series.

Jordan scored only 4 points in the first quarter and didn’t show his normal energy level.

Bulls get back in the game as Jordan dominates

With his famous tongue wag, Jordan dominated the second quarter and the Bulls took their first lead two minutes before halftime.

I was breathing normally again.

By this point, I had almost forgotten about Ahmad’s report about the supposed flu. MJ was scoring almost at will and was firmly entrenched in his zone, as we were often accustomed to seeing. He had 21 points at halftime, 17 in the second quarter and the game was well within reach. Remember, the Bulls had already won four championships at this point, so us Bulls fans were confident about winning when it mattered. I wasn’t nearly as concerned as I was at the beginning of the half.

As good as I was feeling, the Jazz didn’t back down like I was hoping. They came out fighting in the second half and it was evident that MJ was in for a tough fight. Jordan was battling not just his stomach and fatigue, but a rugged Jazz team that was not about to give him anything easy. We didn’t know it at the time, but the iconic moments we remember now would be played out in the tense final moments. This wasn’t going to be a runaway victory for either team.

Towards the end of the game, as the two titans of the league went to war, Jordan was clearly feeling ill. He could barely stand, as Marv Albert repeatedly pointed out during the broadcast, yet when he did he seemingly willed his shots towards the rim. The fact that the ball would even go in, was a small miracle.

Legendary – the only way to describe the performance

There would have been headlines if Michael simply finished out the game. What made this game legendary was his dominance.

As MJ knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds to go, it was if we all had the flu. We were all there in Salt Lake City with the Bulls. As Scottie Pippen led MJ to the bench late in the fourth, I was shaking my head. We were witnessing history, a moment that cemented Jordan’s place atop the greats of the game. As the Bulls finished off the Jazz in game 5, I marveled with everyone at MJ’s greatness.

Of course, the Bulls would win game 6 in Chicago for their 5th title and won their 6th a year later. But, this was the moment. This was when MJ showed his mortality, and still shot fatal daggers into the heart of his opponent.

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Jordan finished the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.