Flashback Friday: Michael Jordan’s 1st Comeback Buzzer Beater Downs Hawks

Michael Jordan‘s first home game into his 1995 comeback didn’t go storybook. Chicago’s favorite son was joyously welcomed back by a standing room only United Center, but the Bulls bowed 106-99 to the Shaq and Penny-led Orlando Magic.

The next game was the following night in Atlanta against a scrappy Hawks squad that pushed the Bulls to the edge of another loss. That’s when vintage Michael Jordan showed up. Trailing by one with 5.9 seconds left, MJ took the inbounds full court and reminded the Hawks – and the world – who he was with a buzzer beater for the 99-98 win. Jordan finished with a vintage stat line, too – 14 of 26 from the floor for 32 points to go with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Perfect setup for his next game – the 55-point “Double Nickel” against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Watch MJ nip the Hawks below.