One Final Game: The last great performance for NBA legends

One Final Game: Michael Jordan

Date: February 21st, 2003

Michael Jordan’s last meaningful NBA moment came prior to his second retirement, his iconic game-winning jumper in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. A few years later, however, he couldn’t shake the basketball itch and returned to play for the Washington Wizards for two seasons to officially end his career (for now; he could still return!).

So it was, just four days after turning 40 years old, that Jordan put up his last great game. It is hard to pinpoint exactly which one to choose, as Jordan got plenty of shot attempts even as he clearly was losing his ability to truly dominate. We’re choosing this game because it was the last time he would break the 40-point barrier. For Jordan that meant the 173rd time he scored 40, which is second-most all-time behind just Wilt Chamberlain.

In that road win over the New Jersey Nets Michael Jordan dropped 43 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, one block and just one turnover. He was able to drive such an efficient scoring night because he got to the free-throw line eight times and hit seven of them. Overall he was 18-of-30 from the field, able to draw forth from himself one last elite scoring game. In a tight game, Jordan scored the final go-ahead basket with just 34 seconds to go.

How remarkable was that performance from Jordan? He remains the only player in NBA history to score 40 or more points after turning 40 years old. In fact his three 40-point nights from that season rank as the three oldest such performances. He didn’t have it often in that final year, but every once in a while he could dig deep and summon the magic. He did so one last time on February 21st, 2003.