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25 Greatest Performances In NBA Finals History

By Bill Speros

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Basketball: NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) with head down on court during Game 5 vs Utah Jazz. Jordan had a stomach virus that caused a fever and dehydration. Salt Lake City, UT 6/11/1997 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X52984 )
Basketball: NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) with head down on court during Game 5 vs Utah Jazz. Jordan had a stomach virus that caused a fever and dehydration. Salt Lake City, UT 6/11/1997 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X52984 ) /

8. Michael Jordan, Chicago vs. Utah, Game 5 (1997)

Michael Jordan’s name appears on our list several times. To make things easier, this entry will be subtitled “The Flu Game.” Jordan’s legacy was running up the score by this point.

He had won three titles, stepped away to try baseball, then returned to lead a revamped group of teammates and Scottie Pippen to a fourth NBA title in 1996.

This time, the Bulls were facing perennial Western Conference challenger Utah, a team featuring a pair of future Hall of Famers in John Stockton and Karl Malone. The series was tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 and then news broke that Jordan was sick with the flu.

Pre-Twitter speculation said he might not even play. The “Crying Jordan” meme of 2016 has its DNA rooted in the anguish on Jordan’s face that night. He could barely walk to the bench during timeouts.

Jordan played through dehydration and exhaustion, and scored 38 points (along with seven boards and five dimes) to shove the Bulls past Utah 90-88. Two days later, the Bulls won their fifth title in seven years.

The Utah Jazz would eventually rank with the Indiana Pacers among the greatest NBA franchises not to win a title.

Next: Russell Cleans The Glass