On This Day in Sports History: June 11th

On this date in pro sports history, many memorable moments took place that would end up changing sports forever. Twenty-three years ago today, Michael Jordan’s iconic “flu game” immortalized him forever. Two years later, the New York Knicks made history that has never been repeated. Among these magnificent milestones are more dramatic events that occurred on June 11th.

The Iconic "Flu Game"

June 11, 1997: “The Flu Game.” Fighting food poisoning, Michael Jordan scores 38 points to lead the Bulls to a 90-88 G5 win over the Jazz in the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/zHddLh6ctx
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) June 11, 2020

YEAR: 1997 – NBA Finals Game 5

SIGNIFICANCE: Michael Jordan’s heroics led Bulls to a close win despite battling food poisoning

After learning more about this event in the recently-aired Michael Jordan documentary, basketball fans now realize the ‘flu game’ was actually the ‘food poison game’. On this date in 1997, MJ scored 38 points in Chicago’s NBA Finals Game 5 victory over HOFs Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz. Draining the go-ahead bucket at the end of the fourth quarter, MJ and the Bulls took a monumental 3-2 series lead. Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman finished the series in Game 6, winning their fifth NBA Finals in seven years.

Knicks Magical Postseason Run

YEAR: 1999 – ECF Game 6

SIGNIFICANCE: Knicks became the 1st 8-seed to reach the NBA Finals

On this day 21 years ago, the New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, sending them to the 1999 NBA Finals. What cemented this game in sports history is that the franchise became the first 8-seed to ever reach the Championship series. Even though they eventually lost in five, the Latrell Sprewell-led Knicks put up a strong fight against the strapping Spurs squad without their best player Patrick Ewing who got injured in Game 2 of the ECF.

New York and Sprewell, who averaged 26-7-3 over the series, could not withstand the dynamic duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, who combined for 44.0 PPG, 25.8 RPG, and 4.8 APG on a nightly basis. The Knicks may have been disappointed to lose in the Finals, but were absolutely proud to have made history.

Derek Fisher's Game Winner

YEAR: 2009 – NBA Finals Game 4

SIGNIFICANCE: Derek Fisher hits 2 extremely clutch 3PM in NBA Finals game

Since the NBA was suspended earlier this Spring, basketball fans have been anxiously waiting for the return of crazy highlights and breathtaking buzzer-beaters. Just 11 years ago, PG Derek Fisher knocked down one of the most clutch threes in recent NBA history in Game 4 of the ’09 Championship series, then topped it just minutes later.

The first 3-point jumper came over Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson, which sent the LA Lakers into overtime. Given the opportunity to save the day again, Kobe dished a perfect pass to Fisher so that he could hit the go-ahead three with 31.3s left on the clock. These outstanding shots directly gave the Lakers a commanding 3-1 series lead, allowing the The Lake Show to go on and take home their 15th NBA title, their fourth of the decade

Nolan Ryan's 6th No-Hitter

YEAR: 1990

SIGNIFICANCE: Nolan Ryan extended his lead of most career no-hitters by 2

Nolan Ryan is globally recognized as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. With the most strikeouts in MLB history, the Ryan Express cruised through his 27-year baseball career tallying 324 wins (14th all-time). Exactly three decades ago, the Texas Rangers pitcher recorded his sixth no-hitter against Rickey Henderson and the Oakland Athletics, striking out 14 in the emotional 9-inning effort. To this day, the fierce flamethrower still holds the record for most career no-no’s with seven, followed by Sandy Koufax (4) and Justin Verlander (3).

MJ & Barkley's 40 Pieces

YEAR: 1993 – NBA Finals Game 2

SIGNIFICANCE: MJ and Charles Barkley became the 1st opposing-pair to score 40+ in a Finals game

Both Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley are two of the game’s most famed legends. As spectacular scorers and demoralizing defenders, Jordan and Barkley matched up 27 years ago today in the ’93 NBA Finals. Before being voted into the Hall of Fame, MJ and CB made history together when they both dropped 42 points in the Bulls’ Game 2 win. The Shooting Guard and Power Forward became the first pair of opposing players to ever score 40+ points in a NBA title game. On the back of His Airness (41.0 PPG over the six-game series – most in NBA Playoff history), Chicago won the Championship, which was their fifth of the decade and the last piece of their first 3-peat.