Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was a gift that kept on giving during his playing days. That was also the case whenever he suited up on Christmas Day. Considering his stature in the sport, you’d think that the league would have thought of making Jordan play a Christmas game every year. However, he appeared just six times, winning all but one. Here, we rank each of them from worst to best.
6. 1991 – A disappointing showdown with the Celtics
Many anticipated the battle between the Eastern Conference powerhouses Bulls and Boston Celtics to deliver the fireworks. But it turned out to be a dud as the red-hot Chicago, who had a 20-4 record coming into the game, put Larry Bird and company in their place.
The Bulls defeated their formal rival 121-99, using their trademark stingy defense to limit Bird to eight points and force 17 turnovers from Boston. “Air Jordan” admitted that the nationally televised game wasn’t as exciting as it was billed to be, saying, “I guess it didn’t turn out to be as advertised.”
Jordan also didn’t have to do much, putting up just 14 points, with Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, and Horace Grant outscoring him. However, he did fill the stat sheet, recording eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks.
5. 1997 – A triumphant Christmas swan song
MJ’s last Yuletide opponent was the Miami Heat, Chicago’s Eastern Conference Finals foe. Like how the series went, when the Bulls won 4-1, things were smooth sailing for the defending champions. They took the W by ten points, with Jordan leading the team with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The five-time MVP seemed to have a chill Christmas Day bout, and the highlight of his evening was probably his extravagant exchange gift with former teammate and friend Pippen.
1997 turned out to be the mythical shooting guard’s last season to play on Christmas Day. He retired for the second time after the 1997-98 campaign. Of course, he made a comeback with the Washington Wizards, but not even Jordan’s star power was enough for the league to decide that Washington deserved to be on the Christmas Day slate.
4. 1996 – Battle of the Titans
A lot of folks had looked forward to the 1996 Christmas Day duel between the Bulls and Detroit Pistons because of the subplots that revolved around the contest.
For one, they shared the best-combined record for a Christmas Day matchup in NBA history at the time, with Chicago and Detroit going in with 24-3 and 20-5 records, respectively. Another is the much-anticipated face-off between Jordan and his heir apparent, Grant Hill.
“G-Money” was cash from the field, converting 12 of his 24 attempts to total 27 points and outperforming MJ, who had just 23 points. But Jordan contributed in other areas, particularly on the offensive boards, giving the Bulls six second-chance opportunities.
Pippen had 27 to lead Chicago to the 95-83 victory and solidify his squad’s place atop the Eastern Conference.
3. 1986 – A rousing Christmas Day debut
For ten years, the Bulls had not played a Christmas contest before the league noticed a rising star from the Windy City and rightfully determined that it needed to showcase him more. Jordan was slated to face the New York Knicks on Dec. 25, 1986, and the NBA probably patted itself on the back for the correct decision.
The Knicks ended up with the 86-85 victory thanks to a miraculous last-second putback by Patrick Ewing.
Mike did his usual best in his Christmas debut to try to give the Bulls the win, but his 30 points, five assists, six steals, two blocks, and several highlight plays weren’t enough. If he hadn’t shot 10-for-28, Chicago would probably have better odds that night.
2. 1990 – Defeating Detroit in a drama-filled duel
For a long time, it has been a tradition in the NBA for defending champions to make an appearance on the Christmas Day slate. After winning the 1990 title, Detroit was scheduled to fight the Bulls on the 25th of December, but for some reason, the league decided it would be a good idea to have Chicago host the contest. Naturally, some in the Pistons organization protested and even refused to take the flight to Windy City on schedule.
Jordan decided to add insult to injury by lighting up his rivals for 37 points on a 14-for-23 shooting clip. He also contributed eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks to lift the Bulls to a 98-86 victory.
Some saw that game as the changing of the guard, as Chicago went on to defeat Detroit in the 1991 playoffs, with MJ describing the postseason triumph as “good overriding evil.” But the Bulls’ newfound dominance of the Pistons probably began on the previous Christmas Day.
1. 1992 – Taking vengeance against the Knicks
Fresh off his second consecutive title, Jordan was given the opportunity to avenge his loss in 1986 and show who’s boss in Chicago’s newfound rivalry with New York when the Association scheduled a Christmas Day meeting between the Bulls and Knicks. And “His Airness” didn’t disappoint.
He put on a show in the Chicago Stadium, totaling 42 points to tie Bob Love’s Christmas Day franchise record and to help his squad dominate New York 89-77. The 14-time All-Star had an impressive all-around game to boot, adding eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
What would have likely made it better was if the contest was held in Madison Square Garden. Jordan might have scored more if he had played under the bright lights of his old stomping ground
