It is two o’clock in the morning on June 11, 1997, the day of Game 5 between the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls in the NBA 1997 Finals. Michael Jordan’s trainer, Tim Grover, is called to Jordan’s hotel room, where he finds the six-time M.V.P. guard curled up in a fetal position on his bed with a scorching fever and terrible chills. Jordan was having trouble even standing on his feet, and rumors began to spread like fire, and the question quickly circulated, “Will Michael Jordan play in Game 5 of the NBA 1997 Finals against the Utah Jazz?” Back in the 1990’s basketball was a different ball game, with bigger crowds and a higher level of talent. The game featured the best of the best, with players like Michael Jordan himself, Scottie Pippen, and Karl Malone. So it was a big deal to many fans when Michael’s playing status was put into question. They suffered a tough loss to the Utah Jazz in Game 4 on the road, loosing 78-73, and that tied the series 2-2. With Game 5 being held at the Utah Jazz Delta arena, a win was a must for the Bulls. Fortunately, at 5:50 pm, Jordan rolled out of bed and somehow made it onto the Delta Center’s court right before the game start, and was ready to go before tip off.1
![](https://www.stmuhistorymedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Michael-Jordan-Picture-3-1.jpg)
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 17, 1962, Jordan grew up with a love for baseball just like his father, James Jordan. Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan developed a very competitive edge at an early age. He wanted to win every game he played. As his father noted, “Jordan has a competition problem. He was born with that … the person he tries to outdo most of the time is himself.”2 As Jordan began to get older, however, baseball would soon come to a halt as he began to follow his older brother’s passion for basketball. Although Jordan was cut from his high school varsity basketball team during his sophomore year for apparently not being “good enough,” that did not stop him from attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to lead his basketball team to a NCAA Division 1 championship in 1982. He then went on to be the third overall pick in the 1984 Draft to the Chicago Bulls. Although many questioned Jordan’s ability to play at that next level of competition, the Bulls clearly made the right decision in picking him up. He soon was the face of the Chicago Bulls’ franchise, racking up three consecutive championships in the years 1991, 1992, and 1993, and then adding another one in the year 1996.3 Now with the 1997 NBA Finals tied at 2-2, and the Chicago Bulls seeking their fifth title, play-by-play commentator Marv Albert let viewers know before the game that Jordan was suffering from “flu-like symptoms”–a term that has grown in lore since this performance.4
With Jordan being unable to function and appearing lethargic, the Jazz began to sense victory as they were sure they were going to beat the Bulls, due to the Bulls not having their star player. As the game began, Jordan obviously looked weak and out of it, and this sparked the Jazz to go on a 10-0 run, taking a sixteen-point lead in the first quarter. People believed that this game was doomed from the start. However, Michael Jordan would soon prevail by scoring an incredible 17 points. At every dead ball, Jordan quickly sank to his knees with signs of exhaustion. But that did not stop Jordan from closing the lead gap to 4 points, making the score 53-49, with the Jazz still being up. Many fans looked in amazement as Jordan fought through the sickness. They soon began to realize that this was “the game” to watch. During half time, Jordan was hooked up to an IV, as he was facing dehydration, and he was given cold towels to keep his body from burning up.5
“I have never seen Michael as sick as this,” teammate Scottie Pippen said during half time. “It was to the point, where I did not know if he was going to play.”6 Jordan began to throw up outside the locker room and his trainers began to question his playing status. After a long debate on whether Jordan should continue the game with his health being on the line, and as half time was coming to an end, a very fatigue, but determined Jordan, unhooked himself from the IV and began to head to the court, focused on getting the win for his time. Still down by 4 points (53-49), Jordan was not going to quit this fight.
![](https://www.stmuhistorymedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Michael-Jordan-Picture-6.jpg)
As the third quarter began to roll in, it seemed like the sickness was single-handedly beating up Jordan, and every possession began to get harder and harder for him. This sparked the Jazz to take advantage of the sick Michael Jordan, allowing them to stretch their lead by 8 points. This caused Coach Phil Jackson to burn out their timeouts to allow a very fatigue Jordan to catch his breath, only to see him collapsed on the bench while trying to chug fluids to replenish his weakened body.7 Jordan was silent during the third quarter as he was forced to sit out the majority of the quarter as the trainers were trying to rehydrate his body as best they could. As the third quarter ended, the Jazz were leading 77-69, and although the game was going on, all eyes were on Jordan as he battled to continue to stay on the floor. Many were surprised that he was even still on the floor, but what made many people impressed was the amount of heart he showed for his team and for the game.
With the fourth quarter starting and the game being close, Jordan knew the game was not over yet and that there was still enough time to make a come back. He knew if he wanted to take the lead, he had to act quickly and smart, without over exerting his body. Jordan soon sprung into action, scoring a quick 6 points. Once that began, there was no stopping him. A burst of adrenaline began to fill his body. His team began to feed off of his energy and by the end of the quarter, the Chicago Bulls were able to close the lead to 85-84. With only 46 seconds left, Jordan was fouled, and he headed to the free-throw line. He sank the first one to tie the game. Then, he missed the second one, only to have his teammate, Toni Kukoč, get his offensive rebound to pass back to him, which allowed the Bull’s offense to set up. With 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Game 5, the Bulls had to act quickly. With it being Chicago’s possession, they were able to execute the play precisely. Pippen got the ball…he was being double teamed…Pippen dished a pass back out to Jordan…Jordan took the pass, looked up, and sank a three-pointer! The Bulls took the lead for the first time in the game. Jordan’s three was the game changer. The Bulls clinched the win for Game 5, putting them in the lead in the series 3-2. As the buzzer went off at the end of the game, a fatigued Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen’s arms as they walked off the floor, creating a memorable moment for not only a teammate but of a special friendship between Pippen and Jordan, which is still talked about today.8
![](https://www.stmuhistorymedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Michael-Jordan-Picture-5.jpg)
We wanted it real bad…I had to do what I could do…I, Myself, wanted it really bad.
Those were the words that came from a very sick Jordan after Game 5. He ended up with an astonishing 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist, and 3 steals to finish out the game.9 The Chicago Bulls then went on to win the 1997 NBA Finals in Game 6 in Chicago, making it Jordan’s 5th Championship Title. This is a story that all Chicago basketball fans know well. Michael Jordan is an individual that transformed the game in many different ways and is a role model for many people, especially for young individuals who need a positive role model to look up to. This game was just another example of why he is consider the best of the best. He was thrown adversity and handled it like a legend. He did the unthinkable and beat his own flu game.
- Pope Jones IV, “Food Poisoning or the Flu? Whatever it was, Michael Jordan Pushed through for the Bulls,” The News & Observer, June 11, 2008, https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article/212946739.html. ↵
- Jim Litke, “Peerless: Jordan spent his career trying to out do himself,” Southcoasttoday, January 17, 1999, www.southcoasttoday.com/article/19990117/news/301179926. ↵
- Jim Litke, “Peerless: Jordan spent his career trying to out do himself,” Southcoasttoday, January 17, 1999, www.southcoasttoday.com/article/19990117/news/301179926. ↵
- Nunzio Ingrassia, “Michael Jordan’s ‘Flu Game’ is Still Unforgettable 20 years later,” Fox Sports News, www.foxsports.com, June 11, 2017, https://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/michael-jordans-flu-game-is-still-unforgettable-20-years-later-061117. ↵
- Dan Barrio, “Flu-ridden Jordan Leaves Jazz with Sick Feeling,” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Metro Edition, June 12, 1997, 12. ↵
- Dan Barrio, “Flu-ridden Jordan Leaves Jazz with Sick Feeling,” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Metro Edition, June 12, 1997, 12. ↵
- Dan Barrio, “Flu-ridden Jordan Leaves Jazz with Sick Feeling,” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Metro Edition, June 12, 1997, 12. ↵
- Dan Barrio, “Flu-ridden Jordan Leaves Jazz with Sick Feeling,” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Metro Edition, June 12, 1997, 12. ↵
- Harper Zach, “On This Day in Michael Jordan History: The Flu Game,” CBSSports.com, April 06, 2017, https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/on-this-day-in-michael-jordan-history-the-flu-game/. ↵
98 comments
Carlos Apodaca
Michael Jordan is a legendary player that I never got to witness play but his greatness is something that every generation that loves basketball will always know about especially when we had moments like this in his career. Being sick and still able to perform at the highest level of basketball is incredible and the way that he did it made it even better with him scoring 38 points. I dont think most athletes would play through an illness like what Jordan had and much less be able to perform at a high level.
Malik Heard
I never new that Michel Jordon went into a game with the flu and still came out with a good record and a win.This article really shows you how much Jordon wanted to be the best and I think he accomplished it because in his time to know he is usually regarded as the G.O.A.T which means the greatest of all time.This article was really cool and interesting to read about one of basketballs legends.
Emmanuel Ewuzie
The infamous Michael Jordan is a legendary ghost to me. I never watched him play but I’ve seen some of his old legendary games including this one. The flu is the epitome of human determination as he pushed through sickness and won the game. This is a testament to me as I aspire to have the mental strength to push through anything.
Roberto Rodriguez
It is amazing how much a person can accomplish just as long as they have the perseverance to do it. That is part of the reason why I love watching sports, especially basketball. The athletes sacrifice so much and really work on their craft and skill to be known as one of the bests in the sport’s history. It is moments like the flu game that resinate with everyone and what really makes us value an athlete’s work ethic and dedication to what they are passionate about.
Marco Monte de Oca
This game is pointed out to display Michael Jordan’s incredible desire to win. The flu game is very well known in basketball folklore and will continue to be told for centuries. To finish the game with 38 points is ridiculous considering many people can’t even get out of bed when they have the flu. This shows his dedication to the game, when his team needed him the most, he showed up and won them the game.
Saira Locke
Michael Jordan is known as the GOAT of basketball and nobody even comes close. In a playoff run in 1997 vs the Utah Jazz, Jordan came up with the flu. Many didn’t know if he would play at all, this game was known as the “flu game” because of how great Jordan was during the game. Even though he was sick he went for 38 points and won them the game in the playoffs.
Juan Arceo
Michael Jordan’s flu game will go into the history books as one of the greatest showing of dedication of a player in a basketball game. This article reminded me of another player with the same accolades as Michael Jordan but in football, and that is Walter Payton’s original flu game. Similar to Jordan, Walter Payton went absolutely insane when the Bears needed him the most and ran for the most yards in a single game with 275 yards. Both of these athletes truly show us the amount of dedication that they put forward in their respected games and we should learn from them to truly succeed.
Mitchell Yocham
It’s astonishing to see a player that was in the fetal position hours earlier heavily sick, even come to the game nevertheless finish the game with 38 points. This article just shows you how much dedication these players put toward their job, because when Jordan was needed he got that boost of adrenaline somewhere in his body and took back the lead in the final seconds.
Gabriel Lopez
I’ve never gotten the flu before, but I heard it can be such a horrifying experience. It really is amazing how much strength he had for his team and for the fans while being terribly sick. Aside from that, I love how this article is written because it highlighted a short point in Michael Jordan’s life and made it into an engaging story. What a great article.
Carly Jimenez
Even though I have heard this story before, reading this article gives me so many chills. Michael Jordan was and still is an inspiration to all. I actually did not know he didn’t get to play ball his sophomore year of high school but he did take over while he was play in college. I remember thinking how awesome he was for doing what he did that night. Over coming all the obstacles that were thrown his way and pushing through because his teammates and his fans needed him. The pictures were a great touch to this article. Really awesome how you incorporated the point by point in the game throughout the paragraphs. Good Article.