Michael Jordan's 23 Greatest Games as a Washington Wizard

Isaiah Montoya

From age 38 to age 40, Michael Jordan played 142 games as a Washington Wizard. He set records for the oldest player to do so many things, including scoring 40 and 50 points. He was also the only Wizard to play all 82 games in 2002-2003.

This is a list of No. 23's 23 greatest individual games as a Washington Wizard; further proof that MJ is the greatest player of all-time. 

No. 23 : On Feb. 3, 2002, a 38-year old Jordan scored 23 and beat Indiana on11/19 shooting and 1/1 from three point range. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished six assists.

No. 22 : Again, Indiana was the victim. This time, Jordan scorched them for 41 points on 14/26 shooting, 3/4 three's, and 10/12 from the line. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, had four assists and three steals. Wizards win.

No. 21 : On April 12, 2003, the 40-year-old Jordan and the Wizards lost to Atlanta. Jordan, though, had an all-around great game. He scored 17 points, grabbed eight boards, and had six assists to go with a steal and a block. He did this all in 30 minutes!

No. 20 : On Feb. 4, 2003, nearing his 40th birthday, MJ spearheaded a win against Cleveland by scoring 27 points on 13/26 shooting. He also grabbed four rebounds, had eight assists, four steals and a block.

No. 19 : On Nov. 3, 2001 (his third game back), a 38 year-old Jordan scored 20 points on Philadelphia in a Wizards win. In 38 minutes, he also passed off for nine assists, grabbed six rebounds, had two steals and a block.

No. 18 :  In his second game back, Jordan and the Wizards beat the Hawks when he played 40 minutes and scored 31 points. He also had six rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

No. 17 : In Detroit on Nov. 1, 2001 Jordan played an amazing defensive game. The Wizards won as Jordan, in 39 minutes, made all the difference with six steals, two blocks, four assists, nine rebounds, and 21 points.

No. 16 :  In an all-around great performance on Jan 18, 2003, Jordan scored 25 points, grabbed eight boards, had seven assists, and an amazing five steals and one block in 42 minutes. Iverson got the last laugh, though, as the 76ers won.

No. 15 : Against Milwaukee on Dec. 3, 2002, Jordan scored 25 points, had seven rebounds and four assists in only 30 minutes! The Wizards won handily.

No. 14 : In Memphis, one of the few times that city's fans would ever be able to see him play, Jordan put on a show; scoring 33 points in 35 minutes. He added five rebounds, two assists, and three steals in a convincing win. He went 14/23 from the field, and 2/3 from three point range.

No. 13 : The Sonics beat the Wizards on Nov. 12, 2002, but Jordan had a great individual game.  He scored 27 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in only 31 minutes.

No. 12 :  On Feb. 1, 2003, against the Hornets, Jordan put on a show.  Just a few days before turning 40, Jordan scored 45 points on 18/33 shooting.  He also had six assists and three rebounds with a block and a steal in 44 minutes. The Wizards won. 

No. 11 : At the Clippers on Feb. 13, 2003, Jordan defied age with 23 points and 12 assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in 39 minutes. The Wizards won.

No. 10 : On Feb. 23, 2002, a 39 year-old Jordan scored 37 points on 13/25 shooting against Miami. He also had seven assists and five rebounds.

No. 9 : On Jan. 24, 2002, a 39 year-old Jordan schooled the Cavs again. This time, he scored 40 points in 40 minutes in the win. He also added eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

No. 8 : Again, Jordan bashed Atlanta with 28 points on Feb. 1, 2002. He grabbed four rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in the win. Oh, what a game for MJ.

No. 7 : Orlando fell to Washington as Jordan led the way for the Wizards with 32 points on 12/25 shooting from the field and 8/10 from the line. He added six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in the victory.

No. 6 :  In 41 minutes against the Jazz, Jordan scored 44 points on 17/33 from the field. He also recorded seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal. In the end, though, the Jazz prevailed.

No. 5 : In Phoenix on Jan. 26, 2002 Jordan scored 41 points and hit the game winner. He made 17 of 30 shots. In 40 minutes, he added seven assists and four rebounds to go with two steals.

No. 4 : Jordan became the only player over 40 to ever score 40+ points in a game against N.J. on Feb. 21, 2003. He made 18/30 shots and 7/8 free throws in the win. He also had a double-double in the game by grabbing 10 rebounds to with four steals, three assists and a block.

Before Jordan, the record for points by a player over 40 was held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 27 points.

No. 3 : Another record breaking game for MJ happened on Dec. 29, 2001 when the 38-year-old scored an astonishing 51 points against the Hornets. In only 38 minutes, Jordan set two records; the oldest player to ever score 50, and for most points in one quarter against the Hornets (24).  At 38, Jordan made an unbelievable 21/38 shots and 9/10 free throws. 

No. 2 : The game following the 51 point performance, Jordan scored 45 on N.J.  In 39 minutes, Jordan had 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

No. 1 : Jordan's best game as a Wizard is often overlooked. He scored 21 points and added four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block...IN ONLY 21 MINUTES!!!   

In these 23 games, he averaged 32.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game! The Wizards won 19 and lost four (82.6 percent wins)! Jordan shot 50.5 percent from the field!

Even as he aged, Jordan proved he was the greatest player ever. Eat your hearts out, Kobe and LeBron!

   

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