Over the last month, ESPN has provided an in-depth look at the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls. “The Last Dance” has chronicled Jordan’s rise from his time at Chapel Hill to the top of the NBA mountain.
The 30 for 30 series has pulled back the curtain on the Bulls’ rivalry with the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks. Jordan’s battles with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal have all been highlighted throughout the documentary.
Like many, the Golden State Warriors struggled against Jordan’s Bulls. The Warriors stamped a 9-17 record against Jordan over his career. For the Warriors — a mix of Latrell Sprewell, Sarunas Marciulionis and the Run TMC trio led the way against Jordan.
In 26 games over his career, Jordan averaged 28.8 points on 50.8% shooting from the field and 41.5% shooting from beyond the arc. The five-time Most Valuable Player added 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game for the Bulls.
With the finale of the 10-part series approaching, Warriors Wire looked back into Golden State’s history to find the best performances from Jordan against Golden State.
March 28, 1989 — Golden State at Chicago
In a clash of two playoff-bound teams, Jordan registered his first triple-double against the Warriors. The 14-time All-Star tallied 33 points on 13-of-24 shooting with 12 rebounds and 11 assists. On the defensive end, the 14-time All-Star swiped four steals from the Warriors.
Jordan’s fellow Olympic Dream Team teammate Chris Mullin turned in an impressive performance for Golden State with 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough for Jordan as the Bulls walked away with a 115-106 victory in Chicago.
January 15, 1993 — Golden State at Chicago
In 1993 with a pair of championships under his belt, Jordan checked off another triple-double against the Warriors. This time with 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting, 12 boards, 10 dimes and five steals.
Five Warriors scored in double figures with Chris Mullin leading the way with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Golden State All-Star Latrell Sprewell scored only eight points with zero rebounds in 28 minutes against the Bulls.
The Bulls coasted to a comfortable 122-101 victory in Chicago.
January 18, 1990 — Golden State at Chicago
In 1990 Jordan didn’t complete a triple-double, but he was on fire from long distance. The Bulls shooting guard exploded for 44 points on 17-of-30 shooting from the field and 7-of-12 from beyond the arc (career-high versus Golden State).
Jordan added 12 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal in 33 minutes of Chicago’s blowout 132-107 home victory.
Marciulionis led the way for the Warriors, scoring 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting in 29 minutes off the bench. Three other Warriors scored in double figures, including Tom Tolbert, with 12 points. Golden State’s center tacked on four boards and a block in 15 minutes.
December 27, 1990 — Golden State at Chicago
Later in 1990, Jordan racked up a monster double-double performance with 42 points on 17-of-25 shooting with 14 boards (career-high versus Golden State). He added seven assists, three steals and a block in Chicago’s 128-113 win against the Run TMC Warriors.
Scottie Pippen backed Jordan with 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in 42 minutes.
Tim Hardaway registered the Warriors high with 29 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Marciulionis added 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting with nine rebounds off the bench for Golden State.
November 24, 1992 — Chicago at Golden State
Jordan’s best scoring night against the Warriors came when the 1991 defending champions traveled to the Bay Area. Jordan ripped off 49 points on 18-of-30 shooting in the Bulls 101-92 win in Oakland.
The 1991 Most Valuable Player dropped his career-high against the Warriors while only sinking one 3-pointer. Jordan totaled seven assists, five rebounds, a block and a steal in his near 50 point performance.
Horace Grant added 11 points and 17 rebounds against the Warriors.
Mullin scored 32 points with Tim Hardaway right behind him tacking on 29 points, but it wasn’t to outlast Jordan and the Bulls. Outside of Mullin and Hardaway, Billy Owens was the only member of the Warriors to eclipse 10 points.
