Shocking news came with Michael Jordan’s arrival to the Delta Center for Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Chicago’s number one option woke up the morning of the critical game with flu-like symptoms, having suffered vomiting fits throughout the night and continuing into the day. Most players may have sat out under these conditions, but not Jordan.
MJ knew even if he was sick, he could be of use to his team as a decoy, yet as the game went on it became apparent Chicago needed much more than that. Clearly gassed and feeling his illness, Jordan dug deep to become the player his Bulls desperately needed and delivered a performance for the ages that is still inspirational to this day.
MICHAEL JORDAN DELIVERED 38 POINTS DURING HIS ICONIC “FLU GAME” IN NBA FINALS GAME 5
Although called the “Flu Game,” Michael Jordan revealed in the 2020 documentary, “The Last Dance,” that it may have been the “Food Poisoning Game.” The night before Game 5, Jordan ordered a pizza from the only joint in Salt Lake City he could find open at a late hour. The order was suspiciously delivered by a group of people rather than an individual like anyone would expect. Considering however it was Michael Jordan ordering, the oddity was brushed off as eager fans wanting to see the superstar athlete in the flesh. MJ was the only person who ate the pizza and his symptoms appeared soon after, generating the food poisoning theory.
Tied 2-2 with the Utah Jazz in the series, there was no way Michael Jordan would not attempt to take the court that night. Starting off poorly missing his first couple of shots, he heated up over time. Despite visually looking weak and tired, Jordan dominated the Jazz scoring a game-high 38 points, double the output of regular-season MVP Karl Malone, and knocked down the game-sealing shot as well. Chicago won Game 5 by two points to secure a 3-2 series lead and would end the Finals by winning Game 6 back in Chicago. Flu or food poisoning, nothing would keep Jordan from his fifth ring.
June 11, 1997: Michael Jordan’s iconic “flu game” took place during NBA Finals Game 5 where MJ delivered 38 PTS and the go-ahead FGM in a 90-88 win to take a 3-2 series lead over Utah en route to Chicago's back-to-back Championship and 5th title in 7 years pic.twitter.com/XarQ7R7dJY
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 11, 2021
Full highlights from MJ’s iconic 38-point “Flu Game” or “Food Poisoning Game” on June 11, 1997 pic.twitter.com/djYBkUlVHj
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 11, 2021
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