1997
Chicago Bulls
Series Flow
3
Wins
3
Losses
Regular Season
69-13
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
15-4
Win–Loss
Finals
3–3
vs Utah Jazz
Finals MVP
Jordan
Michael
Chicago Bulls
69-13Utah Jazz
64-18Finals MVP
Michael Jordan
#23 · SG
32.3
PPG
7.2
RPG
5.7
APG
Jordan's 32.3 PPG included the Flu Game — arguably the most remarkable individual performance in championship history. His ability to will a win while physically incapacitated defined his legacy.
How the Series Unfolded
G1 · W
1–0
G2 · W
2–0
G3 · L
2–1
G4 · L
2–2
G5 · L
2–3
G6 · W
3–3
84
CHI
82
UTA
Pippen's whisper to Karl Malone at the free throw line — "The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays" — became the defining quote of the series. Malone missed, Jordan hit the go-ahead shot, and Chicago stole Game 1 in the final seconds.
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan
31 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast — including the game-winnerKarl Malone
23 pts, 15 reb — missed two FTs in final secondsUTA
John Stockton
18 pts, 10 ast97
CHI
85
UTA
Chicago controlled more comfortably. Jordan was efficient, Pippen was excellent defensively on Stockton, and the Bulls' system wore Utah down over four quarters.
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan
38 pts, 7 rebScottie Pippen
19 pts, 9 reb, 7 astUTA
Karl Malone
20 pts, 10 reb104
CHI
93
UTA
Utah's home crowd was a factor. The Jazz played their best offensive game, with Malone and Stockton operating the pick-and-roll to near perfection. Chicago struggled to stop the Jazz' halfcourt sets in the Delta Center environment.
Chicago Bulls
Karl Malone
37 pts, 10 rebJohn Stockton
21 pts, 10 astUTA
Michael Jordan
26 pts, 5 reb78
CHI
73
UTA
Utah evened the series with another home victory. Rodman's absence due to suspension hurt Chicago's rebounding. The Jazz tied the series and momentum clearly shifted to Salt Lake City.
Chicago Bulls
Karl Malone
23 pts, 14 rebJohn Stockton
17 pts, 12 astUTA
Scottie Pippen
22 pts, 6 reb88
CHI
90
UTA
The Flu Game. Jordan, severely ill — food poisoning or a flu bug — scored 38 points through sheer will. He could barely walk at tip-off. He collapsed into Pippen's arms after the final buzzer. Pippen carried him off the court. The most remarkable performance through illness in sports history.
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan
38 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast — played through severe illnessScottie Pippen
17 pts, 8 reb — carried Jordan off court after the gameUTA
Karl Malone
21 pts, 10 reb90
CHI
86
UTA
Jordan told Kerr before the game: "Be ready." With the Bulls down late, Jordan drew the double-team and found Kerr cutting to the elbow. Kerr knocked down the championship-winning jumper. The Bulls had their fifth title. Jordan wept again on Father's Day weekend.
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan
39 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast — Finals MVPSteve Kerr
8 pts — including the championship-clinching jumperUTA
Scottie Pippen
23 pts, 10 rebThe Champions
Scottie Pippen
#33 · SF
20.2
PPG
7.3
RPG
5.8
APG
Made the famous "Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays" remark in Game 1. His two-way play controlled Malone-Stockton in key moments.
Steve Kerr
#25 · PG
8.2
PPG
1.2
RPG
2.7
APG
Hit the championship-winning jumper in Game 6 — his most important shot as a player. Jordan trusted him in the decisive moment.
Dennis Rodman
#91 · PF
4.7
PPG
13.5
RPG
0.3
APG
Battled Malone on the boards throughout. His rebounding superiority neutralized Utah's second-chance opportunities.
Toni Kukoc
#7 · SF
10.8
PPG
4.2
RPG
3.3
APG
Premium bench contributor who provided scoring punch and playmaking when starters needed rest.
Ron Harper
#9 · PG
6.8
PPG
2.5
RPG
3
APG
Starting point guard who defended Stockton and managed the triangle efficiently.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
History Written in 1997
The Flu Game — Jordan scored 38 points through severe illness in Game 5, the most famous performance through adversity in Finals history
Pippen's "Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays" became one of sport's most famous psychological plays
Steve Kerr's championship-winning jumper in Game 6 — a legendary moment of trust between Jordan and his teammate
Fifth championship for Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Scottie Pippen
Jordan told Kerr before the season that he would find him in the most important moment — he did
Back-to-back Utah Jazz Finals appearances (1997-98) signaled the Jazz as the dominant Western power of the era
Beyond the Box Score
Karl Malone and John Stockton were the best pick-and-roll duo in basketball history — their inability to win a championship despite multiple Finals appearances is one of the sport's defining what-ifs.
The Flu Game debate (food poisoning vs. flu) has never fully settled, but the performance itself is undisputed — 38 points, win, almost unable to stand beforehand.
Jerry Sloan's Jazz were methodical, disciplined, and physically tough. They were arguably underappreciated historically because of who they lost to.
Steve Kerr would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in NBA history — his championship moment as a player bookended a remarkable basketball life.
The Full Story
The Utah Jazz were the most formidable opponent of the Bulls' second three-peat — a 64-win team with Karl Malone and John Stockton operating Jerry Sloan's methodical, punishing system. Game 1 featured Karl Malone at the free throw line in the final seconds with a chance to win, when Scottie Pippen leaned in and whispered: "The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays." Malone missed both. Jordan hit the game-winner.
But the series' defining moment came in Game 5 in Salt Lake City. Jordan, suffering from food poisoning or illness so severe he could barely stand before tip-off, somehow summoned 38 points on sheer will. He collapsed into Pippen's arms after the final buzzer. It became known as the Flu Game — the most famous performance through illness in sports history.
Game 6 back in Chicago belonged to Steve Kerr. With Jordan double-teamed in the final seconds, Kerr received a pass, hit the go-ahead jumper, and the Bulls had their fifth title. Jordan had specifically told Kerr before the play: "Be ready." He was.
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