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Michael Jordan, who is widely regarded as the GOAT in basketball, has a legendary playoff record. From 1991 to 1998, which was the peak of his illustrious career with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan played in 26 playoff series, winning 25.
Also, during this streak, after losing the first three games in the 1990-91 season, the Bulls did not lose three straight games at any point when Jordan played. This is a testament to his relentless drive, exceptional skills, and ability to perform exceptionally well under pressure.
In his 15-year career, Jordan played in 37 playoff series, winning 30. Jordan’s most impressive feat is going a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals while winning all six Finals MVPs.
Michael Jordan’s Playoff Series (1991-1998)
The Chicago Bulls’ dominance with Michael Jordan in the 1990s is second only to the Boston Celtics’ reign in the 1960s. However, one key difference is that the Celtics played in a league with only eight teams during Bill Russell’s first season and just 14 during his last.
On the other hand, the Bulls faced tougher competition during their championship runs as the NBA had expanded to 27 teams in 1991 and 29 by 1998. The increased number of teams meant that the Bulls had to overcome even more opponents to secure their NBA titles.
Here is every playoff series Michael Jordan played in from the 1990-91 to 1997-98 seasons.
1991 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Knicks 3-0 (W1)
Jordan’s stats: 29.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. 76ers 4-1 (W2)
Jordan’s stats: 33.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Pistons 4-0 (W3)
Jordan’s stats: 29.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.8 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Lakers 4-1 (W4)
Jordan’s stats: 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Jordan and the Chicago Bulls opened the season on a three-game losing streak but quickly turned things around. They ended the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 61-21.
Chicago faced the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, a matchup that would occur multiple times in the 1990s. The Bulls wouldn’t have any trouble, as they swept the Knicks.
In the series-ending Game 3, Jordan delivered one of his most iconic slam dunks to the world. After being trapped in the corner by a double team, Jordan broke free to meet Patrick Ewing at the rim. Jordan slammed the ball over Ewing and was fouled on the play.
In the second round, Chicago took on the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bulls, again, would not have much trouble defeating the 76ers in five games.
The Chicago Bulls faced off against their long-time rivals, the Detroit Pistons, in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons had beaten the Bulls in the past three playoffs, which looked to make it an intense series.
Unfortunately for Pistons fans, it did not live up to expectations. The Bulls pounced on the Pistons, sweeping them in four games.
The Bulls had successfully defeated the Eastern Conference and were now aiming to emerge victorious in the NBA Finals against the best team from the Western Conference. This team was none other than the Los Angeles Lakers, who had dominated the league in the 1980s.
The Lakers took Game 1 after Jordan’s game-winning shot rimmed out, and all looked doomed for the Bulls. Jordan was not fazed by the miss and led his team to four consecutive victories and their first NBA championship.
The highlight of the series came in Game 2 when Jordan made his famous switch-hands layup.
It’s worth noting that Jordan’s switch-hands layup was his 13th straight-made field goal. This highlights Jordan’s impressive performance and justifies his winning of the Finals MVP Award.
1992 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Heat 3-0 (W5)
Jordan’s stats: 45.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 3.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Knicks 4-3 (W6)
Jordan’s stats: 31.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Cavaliers 4-2 (W7)
Jordan’s stats: 31.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Trail Blazers 4-2 (W8)
Jordan’s stats: 35.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls were looking to prove their 1991 NBA championship was no fluke in the 1991-92 season. They came out with a vengeance, finishing with, at the time, a franchise record 67 wins.
Jordan and his Bulls came out swinging in the first round against the Miami Heat. Chicago swept Miami, and Jordan put on a show in Game 3, scoring 56 points on 20-30 shooting.
The Bulls faced off against their East rivals, the New York Knicks, in the second round of the playoffs. New York won Game 1 by a score of 94-89, silencing the Chicago crowd.
The Knicks played the Bulls tough, forcing the series to go to the full seven games. Jordan gave a great performance in the win-or-go-home game, scoring 42 points, to send the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jordan and the Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Finals, Jordan faced the player most said was his equal at the time: Clyde Drexler.
Jordan aimed to prove his superiority over Drexler in Game 1, and he undoubtedly succeeded. The Chicago Bulls star made, at the time, an NBA Finals record six three-pointers in the first half.
Jordan also set the Finals record for most points in a half with 35. This record still stands today.
Magic Johnson, Jordan’s former on-court rival, was present at the game as he was in the broadcast booth for NBC. Johnson had this to say about Jordan’s mindset heading into the 1992 NBA Finals:
“The night before Game 1, Michael says, ‘You know what’s gonna happen tomorrow; I’m gonna give it to this dude,’” Johnson said.
Jordan did just that for the entire series. Chicago won their second straight title in six games. As for Jordan, he was truly beginning to cement his legacy as the greatest basketball player of all time.
1993 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Hawks 3-0 (W9)
Jordan’s stats: 34.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Cavaliers 4-0 (W10)
Jordan’s stats: 31.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Knicks 4-2 (W11)
Jordan’s stats: 32.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Suns 4-2 (W12)
Jordan’s stats: 41.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
After a season full of ups and downs, the Bulls managed to finish with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 57-25. Jordan and his team were determined to prove that they had what it took to compete for a third straight title.
In the postseason, Jordan faced off against a longtime rival in the opening round. Dominique Wilkins always went head to head with Jordan in the regular season, and now, they would battle in the playoffs.
Wilkins kept up with Jordan on an individual level, averaging 30.0 points per game, while Jordan averaged 34.3. As for Wilkins’ team, the Hawks stood no chance, losing the series in a three-game sweep.
Once again, next up for the Bulls was the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jordan battled through a wrist injury to lead the Bulls to a 4-0 sweep. In Game 4, Jordan hit the game-winning shot as time expired.
The Bulls met the Knicks for another showdown in the playoffs, this time in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks held the home-court advantage in this series, and they made good use of it, winning the series’ first two games.
The Bulls would get their act together and win the next four games to earn the series victory. This includes a 54-point game by Jordan in Game 4.
The Bulls faced off against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. Jordan had to go against the MVP, Charles Barkley. He went on to set an NBA Finals record for points average with 41.0 points per game. This includes 55 points in Game 4.
After the season, Jordan shockingly retired from the game of basketball. He left the game with three straight NBA championships and three Finals MVPs. The main reason was because of the murder of his father, James Jordan.
Jordan also claimed his motivation to win had faded. He saw no more challenges in basketball and now had his eyes set on baseball.
1995 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Hornets 3-1 (W13)
Jordan’s stats: 32.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Magic 2-4 (L1)
Jordan’s stats: 31.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.8 BPG
“I’m Back.” Those two words in a fax confirmed to the world that Michael Jordan was returning to the NBA. This was March 18, 1995, and although Jordan was rusty in his first game against the Indiana Pacers, he picked it up in New York, scoring 55 points.
The Bulls entered the playoffs as the fifth seed with a 47-35 record. Chicago met the Charlotte Hornets in the first round and defeated them 3-1. This includes a 48-point game from Jordan in Game 1.
In the second round, the Bulls faced off against the Orlando Magic, the best team in the East who had the home-court advantage. Jordan’s rust from returning from baseball was evident in Game 1.
Jordan struggled to shoot in Game 1, going 8-22. He didn’t get much help from Scottie Pippen either, as Pippen shot 2-11.
In the final moments of the game, both Jordan and Pippen made crucial mistakes that showed their lack of practice. Firstly, Jordan had the ball stolen by Nick Anderson when there were only 11 seconds left, and the Bulls were ahead by one point.
Anderson’s steal led to a fast break and a dunk by Horace Grant, which gave the Magic the lead of 92-91. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of the bad news for Jordan and the Bulls.
Chicago had one last chance down one with 6.2 remaining. Jordan had the ball in his hands and attacked the basket. He stopped at the free-throw line and made a pass to Pippen, who was in the corner.
The problem was Pippen cut to the basket, believing Jordan would take the shot. This led to the ball going out of bounds and a loss of procession by Chicago.
The Bulls lost the game 94-91. Jordan, who wore 45 on his return to basketball, despite switching back to his original number 23, couldn’t get the job done. Chicago lost the series in six games, officially giving Jordan his first loss in the postseason since the 1990 playoffs.
This was a strange sight for all basketball fans to see. Jordan was the definition of a winner, the greatest player in the NBA. To come up short in the game’s biggest moment while losing a playoff series was uncanny.
This gave Jordan the biggest challenge he has had since his Bulls won their first championship in 1991. Jordan didn’t like to use excuses, but the fact remained Jordan wasn’t in top basketball shape after returning from baseball.
After the series ended, Jordan’s longtime trainer, Tim Grover, said to Jordan, “Let me know when you want me to see you.” Jordan responded by saying, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jordan was disappointed after losing his first playoff series since the 1990-91 season. However, he would get his revenge in the following season…
1996 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Heat 3-0 (W14)
Jordan’s stats: 30.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Knicks 4-1 (W15)
Jordan’s stats: 36.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Magic 4-0 (W16)
Jordan’s stats: 29.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. SuperSonics 4-2 (W17)
Jordan’s stats: 27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls wasted no time making a statement in the 1995-96 season. They came out looking to destroy every team that stood in their way.
Chicago finished the year with, at the time, a record 72 wins. Jordan was back on top of his game, winning the MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and his eighth scoring title.
Jordan achieved this success by working hard on his body during the offseason. This included training while filming the hit movie Space Jam.
“When [the team] lost to Orlando – that’s where the whole process started,” Jordan’s trainer Tim Grover said. “Initially, what they were going to do was just paint some lines on the parking lot [Outside Warner Bros. Studios] and put a couple of hoops up, and I was like, ‘No, no, no. This is Michael Jordan. We’re not playing basketball in a parking lot. Not gonna happen.’”
No one expected the Bulls to have much of a problem in the 1996 playoffs. They only lost 10 games all season, after all. First up for the Bulls were the Miami Heat.
Jordan’s team swept Miami in three games. Chicago faced their long-time rivals, the New York Knicks, in the second round of the playoffs for one final battle in the 90s.
The Knicks would win a game, which was Game 3, but the series wasn’t that close. Chicago advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating New York 4-1.
Jordan and the Bulls got their wish: a rematch with the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite winning 72 games during the season, the Bulls knew the Magic were a formidable opponent.
Orlando won 60 games themselves and looked to challenge Chicago for supremacy in the East. Unfortunately for the Magic, they fell short of their goals, being swept out of the playoffs.
The key moment of the series occurred in Game 4 when Jordan delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 45 points.
The series victory over the Magic was extremely important for Jordan and the Bulls. He didn’t like to lose, especially after tasting championship success. This was something he spoke about after Chicago eliminated Orlando.
“It was extra incentive,” Jordan said. “We saw the challenge after last year. We stepped in front of it, we faced it, and we conquered it. It was not an individual thing. I think the team has gratification, not just Michael Jordan.”
Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls were back in the NBA Finals, and this time, a defensive powerhouse stood in their way. The Seattle SuperSonics were led by Defensive Player of the Year winner Gary Payton and the high-flying Shawn Kemp.
No one gave Seattle a real shot at winning the series. After the first three games, the odd makers appeared to be right. The Bulls jumped out to a 3-0 series lead and looked to end their perfect season, sweeping the SuperSonics for the title.
Then, Game 4 happened, and Seattle bounced on Chicago from the start. The Bulls looked out of it, and the SuperSonics walked away with a convincing 107-86 victory.
Despite being blown out in Game 4, the following game may have been worse. For the first and only time all season, the Bulls looked frustrated. Chicago appeared to be out of sync.
No matter what they did and how hard Jordan tried to will his team to victory, the SuperSonics had an answer. Seattle won Game 5 89-78 to force the series back to Chicago for Game 6.
Jordan’s teammates stepped up and helped Chicago win Game 6, despite a subpar performance from Jordan, who only scored 22 points on 5-19 shooting. Despite his below-average performance, Jordan was named the Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career.
The championship win was particularly poignant for Jordan as it was the first one he had secured since the passing of his father. The moment became iconic when Jordan was seen clutching the ball, lying on the floor, and crying.
The championship game took place on Father’s Day, adding further emotional weight to the occasion for Jordan.
“I know he’s watching. To my wife and kids, to my mother, brother, and sister, this is for Daddy. I’m very happy,” Jordan said after defeating the SuperSonics.
The comeback of Michael Jordan was complete as Chicago once again clinched the championship. However, the team was not satisfied and set out to win more in the 1996-97 season.
Related: Michael Jordan Is Undefeated In Championship Games: Perfection In NBA Finals, Olympics, FIBA, And NCAA
1997 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Bullets 3-0 (W18)
Jordan’s stats: 37.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Hawks 4-1 (W19)
Jordan’s stats: 26.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Heat 4-1 (W20)
Jordan’s stats: 30.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz 4-2 (W21)
Jordan’s stats: 32.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG
The Bulls followed their impressive 72-win season by winning 69 games in the 1996-97 season. Jordan led the league in scoring for a ninth time with an average of 29.6, but he’d miss out on the MVP Award.
Chicago faced the Washington Bullets in the first round and swept them in three games. The highlight of the series occurred in Game 2, where Jordan scored 55 points.
After the Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat both 4-1 in the next two rounds, Chicago was back in the Finals. This time, they met the Utah Jazz, who had the player who beat Jordan for the MVP that season: Karl Malone.
Jordan showed the entire world why he should have been the MVP in Game 1. With 7.5 seconds remaining in a tie game, Jordan defeated the Jazz on a buzzer-beating jump shot.
Jordan’s Game 1 moment would have been his best of the series if he hadn’t got sick. Game 5, which has become known as “The Flu” Game, is arguably Jordan’s greatest game of his career.
There’s been some debate about whether Jordan was really sick with the flu or food poisoning. Either way, Jordan was sick but rose to meet the challenge.
Jordan scored 38 points and hit the go-ahead three to help the Bulls emerge with a 90-88 victory.
The Bulls defeated the Jazz in Game 6 after Steve Kerr nailed the game-winning jump shot. Chicago became five-time NBA champions, and everything appeared great in the Windy City.
This would all change heading into the 1997-98 season…
1998 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Nets 3-0 (W22)
Jordan’s stats: 36.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Eastern Conference Second Round: Bulls vs. Hornets 4-1 (W23)
Jordan’s stats: 29.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Pacers 4-3 (W24)
Jordan’s stats: 31.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG
NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz 4-2 (W25)
Jordan’s stats: 33.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG
The 1997-98 season for the Chicago Bulls started with some controversy. General manager Jerry Krause famously said, “Organizations win championships, not players.”
Bulls management also said they would not bring head coach Phil Jackson back under any circumstances. Also, Scottie Pippen delayed foot surgery over the summer, which caused him to miss the first 35 games of the season.
Still, the Bulls won 62 games during the season, and Jordan won his fifth MVP and his tenth scoring title. In the playoffs, Jordan and his Bulls dominated the first two rounds like they normally did.
The Bulls won 3-0 against the New Jersey Nets in the first round and 4-1 against the Charlotte Hornets in the second round. However, the Eastern Conference Finals proved to be a challenge.
The Indiana Pacers were a tough and physical team led by Reggie Miller, the best shooter in the league. Additionally, they were coached by Larry Bird, one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA.
Indiana did not back down to Chicago, and even though the Bulls took a 2-0 series lead, the Pacers played them tough. Games 3 and 4 were played in Indiana, and the Pacers held the home court, with Miller winning Game 4 on a three-pointer.
The Bulls would blow out the Pacers in Game 5, and Indiana walked away with another close victory in Game 6. This set up a pivotal Game 7, only the second such game since Jordan and the Bulls won their first championship.
After the Bulls’ disappointing Game 6 loss, Jordan made a bold claim ahead of Game 7.
“I don’t make promises. I don’t even make promises to my wife. But we’ll win Game 7.”
(Starts at 9:59)
The Pacers started the game hot, making their first eight field goals. Indiana took their biggest lead of the series at 20-7. Chicago made a comeback in the first half and took a 48-45 lead at halftime. Both teams criticized the officiating, but it was Jordan’s tough locker room speech that motivated his team.
“I just told them to shut up and play,” Jordan said.
The Bulls did just that. They played hard and dominated on the boards. Chicago won the game 88-83 and advanced to their sixth NBA Finals.
The 1998 NBA Finals was a rematch from last year’s series. The Chicago Bulls faced the Utah Jazz once again, but this time, the Jazz held the home-court advantage.
The Jazz won Game 1 88-85 in overtime and looked to have all the momentum. Jordan led the Bulls to a 93-88 Game 2 victory by scoring 37 points.
The Bulls demonstrated their dominance by achieving the highest point differential in NBA Finals history with a crushing 96-54 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 3.
The series would head to Game 6, just like in 1997. This time, the Jazz held the home-court for Game 6 and for a potential Game 7. Scottie Pippen battled through a back injury and played only about 26 minutes in Game 6, which affected his performance.
This put more pressure on Jordan’s shoulder. But if there was ever a player who could handle the pressure, it was Michael Jordan.
The final 41.9 seconds is arguably the greatest sequence by a player in NBA history. Chicago had the ball, and Utah led 86-83.
First, Jordan made a layup, reducing the lead to one point. With only 20 seconds left and the Jazz in possession, Jordan managed to steal the ball from Karl Malone in the low post and dribbled down the court.
Bryon Russell was guarding Jordan as time was running out. Jordan drove inside the 3-point line and quickly executed a cross-over at the top of the key.
The fans in Utah held their breaths as Jordan took the shot. The ball swished through the net, giving the Bulls an 87-86 lead with 5.2 seconds remaining.
The Jazz had one last chance, but John Stockton missed a three as time expired. The Bulls won their sixth title in eight years, and Jordan personally completed an incredible feat of winning 25 out of his last 26 playoff series.
“My whole thought process was always, ‘We’re going to win this game.’ It didn’t matter whether we were down by 4 points or 24 points. I always felt things would work out,” Jordan was quoted in the book, ‘For the Love of the Game’.
Michael Jordan’s sheer dominance in the playoffs can not be exaggerated. He rose to the occasion time and time again, leading his team to remarkable victories.
Jordan’s legacy in NBA history is solidified by his six championship wins in the 1990s. His incredible playoff run is one of the main reasons why most people still consider Jordan to be the greatest NBA player of all time.
