Thirty-four years ago, Michael Jordan set an NBA playoff record. But the Bulls still lost

Michael Jordan’s outstanding performance for the Chicago Bulls against the Boston Celtics is still remembered to this day, even after more than 30 years. The game was played on April 21, 1986, but it will live on in the hearts of its generation for years to come. Jordan’s unparalleled exploits have even been compared to those of Michelangelo in his field.

The National Basketball Association has seen many outstanding feats by its representatives. Many have changed a team’s fortunes in the final seconds, others have broken every record imaginable, and still others have managed to add their names to basketball history for years to come. But only Michael Jordan managed to accomplish all the feats in a single night that is remembered even today.

How Jordan set the record

In a meeting with a major rival, the hometown guard scored 63 points, something no other player in the NBA playoffs has ever done. The milestone moments were celebrated on the Boston Garden court, which had previously seen plenty of “supernatural” moments. Prior to this occasion, the record was 61 points made by Elgin Baylor, playing for the Lakers.

Jordan’s latest triumph was witnessed by about 15,000 people in the stands. We don’t know how many people watched from the screens, but the number clearly exceeded the given figure. Naturally, Michael wasn’t the only one who put in the best effort in this game. His team had a number of talented players, who were intelligently deployed by their coach. Together, they conquered the court.

Public reaction

Journalists covering the event at the time couldn’t even find the right words to describe what had happened. Moreover, the opposing team’s coach was literally ecstatic after the game. The Chicago Bulls coach even resorted to the words of the legendary Frank Sinatra’s song. All of which is to say that what seemed to be just another traditional basketball game was transformed into a historical event that is still remembered with legend and awe by those who had the honour of being there at the time.

Despite Jordan’s impressive feints, throws and rounds, crisp passes and flights without the wings, the Chicago Bulls lost. But it was a defeat so dignified that they dare not be blamed for it. It was a night when two worthy opponents, almost equal in strength and luck, faced each other on the same court. The battle lasted until the last second and nerves were on edge from the start of the game.

Summary of the match

No one dares to say that gross errors were made or that wrong decisions were made. The truth is that luck had the final say in these teams’ struggles. The opponents were almost level until the last second; mistakes and correct decisions were made by both teams equally. Jordan, like several of his opponents, gave his all for most of the game.

It should be noted that the Celtics gave even more effort than the Bulls, for which they were rewarded with a legendary victory. The players had to devote a lot of time and effort to holding on to the “ghost”. It’s hard to describe what Jordan did on the court. He literally flew and moved around the court like fatigue was foreign to him. That’s what it means when talent and professionalism come together.