On December 29, 2001, Michael Jordan surpassed 50 points at… 38 years old
On December 29, 2001, 24 years ago today, Michael Jordan, at age 38, became the oldest player to score 50 points in a game. We also thought that no one would do the same again but Jamal Crawford also did well in April 2019 with the Suns. And he was 39 years old and a few days…
As for Michael Jordan, it was in the Wizards jersey, against the Hornets of Baron Davis and Elden Campbell (but also Jerome Moyes and the late Robert Traylor), to have accomplished the feat, scoring 51 points on 21-of-38 shooting in Washington’s win. “His Highness” also took advantage of the opportunity to score two franchise records with 24 points in the first quarter and 34 at halftime.
Two days earlier, against the Pacers, he had one of his worst games of his career with just 6 points, ending his streak of 866 games with 10 or more points!
“I definitely wanted to send a message”
« Do you think this guy has a little pride? Wizards coach Doug Collins will ask reporters. ” He had a rough night in Indiana, and I think tonight he wanted to prove who he is. I’ve seen him do extraordinary things before, but what he did tonight, at 38, was incredible. »
At nearly 39 years old, Michael Jordan managed his 39th and final game of 50 or more points of the night, and he could have gone one better as Doug Collins took him out three minutes from the buzzer: “ I’m pretty sure you thought I was old, and I definitely wanted to send a message » Michael Jordan will react.
Two years later, against the Nets (future finalists), the five-time MVP would become the first 40-year-old to score 40 or more points. A feat that LeBron James also performed (twice) last February…
As far as Kobe Bryantif he registered properly 60 points on the evening of his farewellhe was 37 years and eight months old… and therefore Jamal Crawford is the only one who “tied” with the greatest player of all time. For now.
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=KlRTVEIIkS0
This article was originally published on December 29, 2021
2025-12-29 11:51:00
