18 Years Ago Today: Michael Jordan’s Flu Game

Michael Jordan played 44 of the possible 48 minutes, scored 38 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished five assists, swiped three steals, and blocked one shot on June 11, 1997. An astounding stat line by any standard but elevated to mythical status because he did all of that playing with the flu, in an NBA Finals-tipping Game 5, on the road.

Jordan’s illness that day is referred to as the flu because of the aches, the chills, the extreme fatigue, the turning stomach he endured. But those around Jordan at the time have since posited that food poisoning that triggered his physical malaise on the eve of Game 5. It was tainted pizza, they said. Sabotage by Utah Jazz fans, others said. Incredible performance, everyone else said.

On the strength of Jordan’s stat line, the Bulls pulled out a gutsy 90-88 win, turning the series 3 games to 2 in Chicago’s favor and setting up their title-clinching Game 6 win at home two days later. And, of course, the Air Jordan XII in Black/Varsity Red that MJ laced up in the flu game instantly became forever linked to the lore (and later a pricey auction piece).

Relive some of the flu game in the highlights clip below. And share with us your memories of this game and series in the comments.