Today in History: 20 Years Ago, MJ's Flu Game

By Muk

June 11th, 1997, Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, will forever be known as one of the greatest displays of heart and will, in not only NBA history, but all of sports. 

With the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz tied up 2-2 going into Game 5, Michael Jordan, battling flu-like symptoms, produced one of the most incredible Finals performances ever. Playing 44 minutes, scoring 38 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists. 

MJ left every single thing he had inside of him on that court, giving the Bulls a 3-2 lead in the series, and the following game, closing the series out and earning his 5th Championship ring. 

The picture of Michael Jordan and teammate Scottie Pippen above, taken as soon as the game ended, is iconic, because Pippen said that when MJ came up to him and leaned on him, he felt MJ literally collapse from exhaustion, as Pippen helped walk him into the locker room.

Jordan was not only the leading scorer for the Bulls, but for the entire game, and was the only person to score over 20 points that night, let alone scoring nearly 40 points with the flu.

The Bulls 90-88 victory will forever go down as one of the greatest games ever, and Michael Jordan once again proved that he is the greatest basketball player in NBA history.