Happy Birthday Michael Jordan, 10 Iconic Moments in His Career Including Dunks, Buzzerbeaters & More

2. The Flu Game

There isn’t a basketball fan alive who hasn’t heard of Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game”.  While there’s discrepencies as to the real reason he was sick, there’s no doubt that it took great strength to pull off what Jordan did on that night.  It was Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz.  Jordan had been diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning and although the Bulls’ trainers told him he couldn’t play, the Utah Jazz had just evened the series to two games a piece and there was no way he would sit out.

Jordan was noticeably fatigued and exhausted but played 44 minutes, finishing the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.  With the game in the bag for the Bulls, Jordan then collapsed in the arms of his teammate Scottie Pippen which became an iconic picture to symbolize the “Flu Game”.