Injured Michael Jordan back to back vs Knicks in ’89 ECSF

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls fell well short of expectations in Game 2 of the series with New York as the Knicks blasted the lackluster Bulls 114–97, forcing Doug Collins to think about shaving. Jordan, along with Horace Grant, got into foul trouble early and sat the entire 3rd period as the Knicks blew the game open. After the game Jordan faulted “his own stupidity” for his minor contribution of 15 points, a career playoff low, but nevertheless, the Bulls split the games in New York and went back to Chicago Stadium with home court advantage and the series tied 1–1.

Games 3 and 4 were back-to-back games in Chicago, a scheduling move for TV ratings that Doug Collins ripped as harmful to players and had both teams worried about fatigue. The Knicks hoped they could wear Chicago down, but what followed on May 13–14, ’89 were two classic performances by Michael Jordan. Game 3 was a 111–88 blowout by Chicago that included a 42 point second quarter that tied a team playoff record. Jordan finished with 40 points, 15 rebounds, a personal playoff high, 9 assists, 6 steals, 1 block and an extremely sore groin injury. After the game, Jordan, before he was rushed to treatment, said he was “questionable” for Game 4, less than 24 hours away, while Knicks coach Rick Pitino speculated about just how badly Jordan was injured.

The following night, May 14, ’89 was Mother’s Day and Michael Jordan, with an obvious limp and sore ego due to the trivialization of his groin injury led the Bulls to a 106–93 victory and a 3–1 lead in the series. Jordan scored 47 points, including 18 in the 4th period, and added 11 rebounds. He also went 23/28 from the free throw line, prompting complaints about the officiating, and scored 13 of the Bulls last 16 points. CBS gave the MVP to Deloris Jordan for Mother’s Day, but it was Michael Jordan who averaged 44 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in Games 3 and 4, leaving the Knicks searching for answers and on the verge of elimination.