Few performances in NBA history carry the mythic weight of Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game.” It was Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, and the series was all tied up at 2-2.
Hoping to stop the momentum from totally swinging in the Utah Jazz’s favor, a dehydrated MJ forced himself to suit up. He played 44 minutes and delivered 38 points, seven rebounds and five assists, capped by a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the game. The Chicago Bulls won, 90-88, and went on to capture their fifth title two days later.
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That game was so iconic that fans still talk about it nearly 30 years later. However, what most people don’t realize is just how dangerous playing through that illness really was.
What could possibly have happened to MJ?
Despite the “Flu Game” tag, His Airness was revealed to have suffered from a severe case of food poisoning, possibly stemming from a pizza he ate late at night before the game. This resulted in dehydration and other health issues. It got so bad that MJ had to miss the shootaround in the morning of a Finals game.
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“I really felt like I was on deathbed,” the Chicago Bulls superstar admitted.
According to Michael, he was so sick that he could have easily missed that game. Jordan almost lost consciousness in the middle of the contest and was so exhausted that he collapsed on the bench and into Scottie Pippen’s arms at different points.
While Jordan’s intentions were noble and the game turned out to be one of his many defining moments, he would have paid a very heavy price for that decision.
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According to Dr. Nav Badesha of the YouTube channel “MEDspiration,” the Bulls superstar dodged a bullet, but could have come out with several serious health issues by playing through severe dehydration.
First, Salt Lake City’s altitude, about 4,000 feet above sea level, could cause any athlete, much less a very sick one, to lose more fluids. This might lead to an electrolyte imbalance, resulting in heartbeat abnormalities or arrhythmia.
“You’re talking about an increased cardiovascular strain, the heart having to work a lot harder as a result of losing a lot of fluids. In addition to that, you may have some type of bacterial or viral illness on top of it. You’re also worried about hypothermia or heat stroke… or a higher likelihood of injury,”explained the double-board-certified physician.
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Therefore, it was no exaggeration that Jordan described his situation as akin to ‘being on a deathbed.’ He could have literally died by pushing himself to the extreme. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Mind over matter
Given the doctor’s assessment of the situation, it was truly a minor miracle that Jordan survived playing for 44 minutes under that stress and in that environment. The Bulls team doctors almost pulled the plug on him when he turned cold and sweaty as he lay on a table during the halftime break.
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It was an incredible “mind over matter” moment. MJ’s will to win essentially overrode every signal his body was sending him to stop. The same competitive fire that made him the GOAT in the eyes of many may also have been what kept him upright when most people would have been hospitalized.
Yet somehow, he not only finished the game in one piece but also won. That, perhaps more than any statistic or highlight, is the most Jordan thing that ever happened.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.