This Date in NBA Finals History: Michael Jordan Leads Chicago Bulls to First Title in 1991

Photo credit: Andrew D. Bernstein, 1991 NBAE, Getty Images

Seven years prior to his Salt Lake sendoff when he cashed an ice cold free-throw line jumper against the Utah Jazz to clinch his sixth and final NBA championship, Michael Jordan won his first. And it happened 34 years ago today. 

In Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals from the Great Western Forum, the Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Jordan and Scottie Pippen both played all 48 minutes, as did Magic Johnson. Jordan scored 30 points on 12-for-23 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. His 10 assists gave him a double-double. His five steals, four rebounds, and two blocks were indicative of a complete game. Running mate Pippen shot 10-for-22, made one of two from 3-point range and connected on 11 of his 12 free-throw attempts. Pippen scored 32 points, with 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block. John Paxson aided with 20 points on 9-for-12. 

In his final Finals foray, Magic missed eight of 12 shots but turned in a triple-double of 16 points, 20 assists, and 11 rebounds. Byron Scott and James Worthy both missed Game 5 due to injury. Old Jordan UNC teammate Sam Perkins shot 5-for-12 but made 11-of-13 from the line. 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. AC Green shot 6-of-12 for 13 points and 7 rebounds. Elden Campbell off the bench put up 21 points on 9-for-12. Tony Smith 12 points on 5-for-6. 

Pippen’s 32 accounted for his playoff high. He averaged 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.4 steals in the series on 45.3% shooting. He averaged 43.6 minutes to Jordan’s 44 even. Essentially identical.

Jordan’s 31.2 points, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks (55.8% from the field, 84.8% from the line) included 36 points in Game 1, 33 in Game 2, 29 in Game 3, and 28 in Game 4.

12 assists and 8 rebounds in Game 1 on 14-of-24 from the field. 13 assists and 7 rebounds on 15-of-18 in Game 2. 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in Game 3. Game 3 was a 104-96 Bull win in overtime. Jordan played 52 minutes. In Game 4, he scored 28 points with 13 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 44 minutes on 11-for-20 (6-of-6 from the line).  

After a 93-91 loss in Game 1, the Bulls ran off four consecutive - 107-86, 104-96, and 97-82 before the Game 5 clincher. 

Game 5 went back and forth, with a big performance provided from a young Campbell. Magic was the proverbial table setter. 

With the game tied at 78 late in the third, Jordan gets the ball from Horace Grant on a back cut near the right block. Two right-hand dribbles from Jordan, a maneuver inside and an elevating left-handed finish over Campbell. 

“Here’s Jordan. Oh what a move by Michael Jordan going to the left hand,” was Marv Albert on the call. 

Johnson, guarded by Jordan at the top of the arc, backs down Jordan and spins into the middle of the lane. A drop off for Campbell underneath leads to a two-handed dunk for the 22-year-old. 80-80 after three. 

Pippen underneath found Grant after a BJ Armstrong miss and Will Perdue deflection. 82-80. 

Magic to Green tied the game at 84. 

Jordan then gets a pass from Pippen on the left wing. Arm extended, ball palmed to keep distance between him and the defender. Jordan dribbles and rises up just inside the free-throw line. Money. 25 for Jordan. Then Perkins with a baseline fade over Perdue. 86-86. 

Jordan short on an elbow jump shot that would have tied the game at 88. 

Magic posts Jordan on the left elbow, wheels inside and delivered a left-handed dime to Perkins in the corner. No good. Magic rebounds. A miss. The maestro rebounds again and turns inside for a left-handed scoop shot that was denied by Scott Williams. BJ Armstrong, retrieving the ball, threw the rock away but then leapt to intercept a Laker pass. Ahead to Pippen. Pippen and MJ on the two-on-one break. Pippen to Jordan. Back to Pippen. Fouled by Perkins. Pippen’s free-throws, with 7:43 remaining, tied the game at 88. 

Jordan with the ball on the right wing against Campbell. Crosses over left and gets inside. Turns into the paint and rises near the left block. A high-arching fade. Good. 27 for Jordan and a 90-88 Bull lead. 

With the Bulls ahead 90-89, Jordan gets a screen from Horace Grant on the left side and drove, elevated from straight-away, 13 or so feet out, and missed. Magic rebounded. A long lead pass for Green. 91-90 Lakers with seven minutes remaining. 

A Jordan turnover on a pass to the corner. Magic lobs to Campbell and Campbell dunks it through as the ball appears to be in the cylinder prior to Campbell’s touch which would mean no basket. Officials talk it over and deem the basket good. 93-90 Lakers. 6:31 remaining. 

Jordan on the left wing gets the pass from Paxson. Jordan swings the ball to Pippen on the right wing. The 3-pointer is good. 93-93. 

A loose ball scramble between Jordan and Campbell results in Jordan gaining possession and calling for time. 5:08 remaining. 

Pippen hits the backboard on a jump shot. Tony Smith misfires from the baseline. Jordan rises for the rebound. Bill Cartwright is blocked on a jump shot attempt by Vlade Divac, but recovers the ball and finds Paxson on the right wing for a long two. The Bulls’ first field-goal in over three minutes. 95-93 Bulls inside four minutes remaining. 

Perkins misses a free-throw jump shot. Cartwright rebounds. Jordan gets the ball from Pippen and makes his way to the middle of the floor with Smith covering. Looking left, Jordan finds an open Paxson near the same spot he hit from just a moment earlier. Good once again. 14 points on 6-for-9 from Paxson. 97-93 Bulls. Lakers’ timeout with 3:24 remaining. 

Perkins misses a 3-point attempt from the right corner. Paxson a left-handed scoop at the other end. 99-93 Bulls with three minutes remaining. 

A hook from Perkins inside over Cartwright. 99-95.

Jordan gets the ball from Paxson up top. Crosses over into the middle of the lane. Maneuvers left, a short jump shot off the glass. 101-95. The conversion leads color commentator Mike Fratello to say, “He goes wherever he wants to on the basketball court. That’s how good he is.” 29 points for Jordan, 2:20 remaining. 

With the Bulls leading 101-96 after a free-throw from Sam Perkins, Paxson passes to Cartwright at the right elbow and retreats to 20 feet. From straight-away, Paxson receives the pass from Cartwright, rises, and hits.  

Perkins makes two free-throws. 103-98. Perkins then makes things interesting with a drive inside and leaning finish that leads to a foul call with 1:13 to go. Free-throw good. 103-101. 

On a play that can be seen consistently on Bulls’ highlight tapes over the years, Jordan drives to the right elbow and, met by Divac and Magic, turns to his right and finds Paxson who is wide open from the same 20 or so feet that he hit from before. Good again. 10 of the Bulls’ last 12 points are courtesy of Paxson. Double fist pumps from an excited Jordan. 105-101. 

Perkins misses a left wing three and Pippen rebounds. Timeout with 32 seconds remaining. 

“Coming into the playoffs, that large question mark involved could the supporting cast step up? And could they properly compliment the combination of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen? Well, the answer..a resounding yes,” offers Albert during the timeout. 

Pippen makes two free-throws. A Divac missed three. Jordan chases the long rebound and gets fouled up the floor with 11.4 seconds remaining before being fouled by Green. 

Jordan misses the first and makes the second. Paxson is named the Miller Genuine Draft Player of the Game. The ball gets knocked away from Magic. Pippen recovers and makes his way past half court, galloping up the floor and raising his right arm in triumph. As the buzzer sounds, Pippen holds the ball high. Jack Nicholson congratulates Phil Jackson with a hand shake. Jordan leaps in the arms of Cliff Levingston and pumps his fist. 

Paxson and Jordan embrace.The only recognizable piece of the Laker floor is the baseline and basket. The rest is covered by a mob of people. 

Walking back to the locker room, Magic puts a hand on Jackson’s right shoulder and congratulates him on the victory. Magic, 19.4 points, 12.5 assists, 7.0 rebounds in 79 games and a second place MVP finish to Jordan, is walking off the floor as a lone wolf. He battled Jordan and Pippen with the season on the line flanked by a young group. No title mate Worthy alongside him. It was the end of the player as we knew him, despite his brief comeback in 1995-96. He would retire on November 7, 1991. 

The Bulls had swept the Detroit Pistons 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals and now had defeated the Lakers 4-1 in the NBA Finals. Two 1980s titans slayed by the player and franchise who would run the 1990s. 

A new age. A new era. 

And it started on June 12, 1991.