Top 15 Sports-Related Episodes Of NBC’s The Office

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – One of television’s best comedies and a personal favorite of mine, The Office, is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

The NBC original first aired on March 24, 2005.

Over nine season, The Office brought a lot of laughs week-by-week and episode-by-episode. Some of the best episodes that ran from 2005-2013 featured sporting competitions, high-profile athletes, and sports-related plots.

The episode that started it all. ❤️ Happy 15 years of #TheOffice, Dunder Mifflin. #Office15 pic.twitter.com/HNyW1lAzES

— 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚎 (@theofficenbc) March 24, 2020

Here are the top 15 sports-related episodes from the Scranton-based show’s 201 installments. Listed in chronological order.

SPOILER ALERT

1. “Basketball” – Season 1, Episode 5

The inaugural season hit the ground running and featured a game of hoops. In the episode “Basketball” the employees from the warehouse squared off against employees from the office. The pickup game was pretty ugly but a great rivalry between Jim Halpert and Roy Anderson was born.

2. “Office Olympics” – Season 2, Episode 3

The 2020 Summer Olympics have been postponed. Now is as good a time as any to go back and watch the “Office Olympics” episode from season two. Without the manager in the office, Jim Halpert and Pam Beasley helped the office stay occupied throughout the workday with mini “Olympic” games.

3. “The Fight” – Season 2, Episode 6

In “The Fight,” regional manager Michael Scott is embarrassed in front of the office when he is punched by the assistant to the regional manager Dwight Schrute. Scott challenged Schrute to a rematch at Schrute’s dojo.

4. “Michael’s Birthday” – Season 2, Episode 19

Michael Scott celebrated his birthday during season two by taking the office out to the local skating rink. Scott showed off his skating skills in front of a future girlfriend.

5. “Beach Games” – Season 3, Episode 22

In “Beach Games,” Michael Scott assumed he will be offered a promotion at the company’s corporate office and wants to find a worthy successor to take over the Scranton branch as regional manager. He ran the office through multiple games to find a victor. Some of the games included an egg race, a hotdog eating contest, sumo wrestling, and a firewalk.

6. “Fun Run” – Season 4, Episode 1

Michael Scott opened season four by hosting a “Fun Run” 5K race for charity. The run was set up to help cure rabies after an office employee was infected with the disease. After a rough carbo-loading experience, Scott pressed forward to finish the race.

7. “The Deposition” – Season 4, Episode 8

What started out as a friendly game of table tennis between Jim Halpert and Darryl Philbin evolved into heated trash talk between the two men’s girlfriends, Pam Beasley and Kelly Kapoor.

8. “Job Fair” – Season 4, Episode 13

Jim Halpert, Kevin Malone, and Andy Bernard take a client out golfing during “Job Fair” in hopes of completing a sale. Bernard swung a few too many golf clubs the night before and showed up to the course with blistered hands the following day. Later, he crashes a golf cart after launching it into the air. The client wasn’t interested in discussing a deal on the course so Halpert decided to “work on his short game.”

"Alright, race to the next hole!" – Andy Bernard pic.twitter.com/0Pzqk5LNeW

— The Office Quotes (@TheOffice_PA) July 25, 2014

9. “Dream Team” – Season 5, Episode 22

Jim Halpert pretended to be a talented soccer player in front of new corporate boss Charles Miner in “Dream Team.” Dwight Schrute knowing that Halpert lied to Miner, suggested that the office go to the parking lot and play a game. The game ended after the ball from a Miner kick connected with Phyllis Lapin’s face.

10. “Company Picnic” – Season 5, Episode 28

All of Dunder Mifflin’s branches including the corporate office got together for a “Company Picnic” in season five. The branches played each other in volleyball throughout the episode. Pam Beasley showed off her skills before leaving the game and finding out some special news at the hospital.

11. “Threat Level Midnight” – Season 7, Episode 17

After many years of writing, filming, and editing, Michael Scott showed the office his feature film “Threat Level Midnight.” In the movie, Scott’s character saves the NHL.

12. “Goodbye, Michael” – Season 7, Episode 22

Steve Carell who starred as Michael Scott left the show midway through season seven. In his final episode as a main character, Scott went to say goodbye to the warehouse workers and tried a trick shot on their basketball hoop. The shot badly missed… multiple times.

13. “The Inner Circle” – Season 7, Episode 23

Deangelo Vickers replaced Michael Scott as regional manager of the Scranton branch for a short time during season seven. Vicker tried to win over the office with confidence and pizazz. After he attempted an ill-fated slam dunk in the warehouse, Vickers went to the hospital.

14. “Spooked” – Season 8, Episode 5

Jim Halpert, Kevin Malone, and Darryl Philbin decided to dress up as the Miami Heat’s “Big Three” for Halloween in season eight. Halpert sported a Chris Bosh jersey, Malone rocked Dwyane Wade’s No. 3, and Philbin wore LeBron James’ No. 6 red jersey.

That time Jim, Kevin and Darryl from the Office went as the Big Three for Halloween from r/heat

15. “Lice” – Season 9, Episode 10

After Jim Halpert decided to start up a sports marketing agency in Philadelphia with some friends, he set up a meeting with a prospective client, former Philadelphia 76ers great Julius Erving. Halpert was invited by Erving to his private basketball court.

Whaaaaaaaat??? pic.twitter.com/SvYGYPiP

— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) January 11, 2013