The Flu Game : When Michael Jordan Defied the Impossible
Knock Knock Knock. Yes. He’s the pizza delivery guy…
The “Flu Game”: When Michael Jordan Defied the Impossible
The 1997 NBA Finals were a stage for greatness. After dominating Game 1 with a dazzling 31-4-8 performance and elevating his game in Game 2 with an incredible 38-13-9, Michael Jordan, known as “Black Jesus,” seemed untouchable. Yet in Games 3 and 4, his numbers dipped — 26-3-6 and 22-4-4. By his standards, those were mortal stats. But at that point, he wasn’t sick… not yet.
A Night That Changed Everything
June 11, 1997. Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. The arena is electric, and the Jazz fans are deafening. It’s Game 5 — a pivotal matchup where the winner takes a decisive lead in the series. Jordan steps onto the court, but something is off. His face is pale, his eyes sunken, and his movements sluggish. Whispers ripple through the crowd. Is this really him?
To understand, we must go back 48 hours.
Alone in his hotel room, Michael ordered a pizza. An ordinary detail, but one that would soon become a pivotal twist in this legendary story. In the middle of the night, he woke up drenched in sweat, overwhelmed by nausea. Something was wrong.
The team doctor diagnosed him with food poisoning. Rumors later swirled about a deliberate attempt to sabotage him, but the cause didn’t matter. Jordan was so weakened he could barely move. The verdict was grim: he wouldn’t be able to play.
But as game day dawned, something inside Michael refused to give up. Just hours before tip-off, despite severe dehydration and significant weight loss, he rose from his bed. Against all logic, he made his way to the Delta Center.
A Nightmare Start
From the opening tip, the struggle was evident. Jordan was a shadow of himself. His legs wobbled, his precision faltered, and he scored a meager 4 points in the first quarter. The Bulls trailed by 13. Stockton and Malone had the Jazz firing on all cylinders.
The question loomed: “Can Michael even finish this game?”
But those who knew Jordan understood he was no ordinary athlete. In the second quarter, something stirred within him. Fueled by sheer willpower, he scored 17 points, pulling Chicago within 4 by halftime (53-49). The crowd was buzzing, but back in the locker room, his teammates were deeply concerned. Could he keep going?
An Agonizing Third Quarter
The third quarter was brutal. Every dribble, every shot seemed like a Herculean effort for Jordan. His energy waned, and he managed only 2 points in the period. The Jazz held firm, leading 72-67 as the final quarter approached.
The Bulls’ hopes were flickering. Exhaustion was etched across their faces. But as the last quarter began, all eyes turned to Jordan.
“We knew he was sick, but what he accomplished that night was otherworldly.” — Steve Kerr.
The Hero Awakens
In those final 12 minutes, Michael entered a realm of legend. He defied pain, exhaustion, and doubt. With his team trailing, he orchestrated a rally, cutting the Jazz’s lead to 85-84.
Then came the moment that would define the game. With 27 seconds left, Jordan found himself behind the three-point line. Alone. The arena fell silent as he released the shot.
Swish. Chicago took an 88-85 lead.
Utah answered with a quick dunk (88-87), but the Bulls countered with an uncontested dunk by Longley (90-87). With just 6 seconds left, a shocking twist: Pippen fouled John Stockton
The tension was unbearable. Stockton stepped to the line. The first free throw clanged off the rim. The second went in. 90
Chicago inbounded the ball. The buzzer sounded. Victory.
Collapse and Immortality
At the final whistle, Jordan collapsed into Pippen’s arms. His body had reached its limit, but his spirit had soared above it. His final stat line — 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists — was nothing short of miraculous given his condition.
“Seeing Mike like that and still dominating was unreal. It showed us what being a champion truly means.” — Ron Harper.
This game, now immortalized as the “Flu Game,” remains one of the most iconic performances in sports history. Jordan didn’t just win a basketball game. He redefined resilience and determination.
That night, Michael Jordan didn’t just play basketball. He transcended human limits and reminded the world why he is, and will always be, the greatest of all time.