Most Memorable Games Between Michael Jordan, Utah Jazz From 1990-96

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan had a lot of success against the Utah Jazz in the early 1990’s.

In honor of “The Last Dance” documentary on ESPN that features the final season of the Chicago Bulls dynasty with Michael Jordan, the KSL Sports team takes a look back at every matchup between Jordan and the Jazz.

In the 8 meetings against the Jazz from 1990-96, Jordan averaged 33.1 points per game. He carried the Bulls to a 7-1 record against the Jazz in the games he played in during that span.

Here is a look at every meeting between Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz from 1990-96.

1990-91 Season

On November 13, 1990, the Bulls and Jazz clashed in Salt Lake City. Chicago picked up an 84-82 after Jordan dropped 29 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Karl Malone exploded with 28 points and 19 rebounds in the loss.

During the 1990-91 season, the Jazz and Bulls wouldn’t meet again until March 8, 1991 in Chicago. The Bulls pulled off a double digit win over the Jazz, 99-89. Jordan finished with 37 points and 5 boards. Malone led the Jazz with 19 points and 7 rebounds. John Stockton added 17 points and 13 assists.

Utah finished with a 54-28 record in the regular season. They beat the Phoenix Suns in four games in the first round before being eliminated in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers in five games.

Chicago ended the season with a 61-21 record. The Bulls went on to sweep the New York Knicks in the first round, top the Philadelphia 76ers in five games in the second round, swept the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan and the Bulls beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to clinch their first ever NBA Championship in franchise history.

1991-92 Season

The first meeting between the Jazz and Bulls was January 10, 1992 in Chicago. The Bulls took care of the Jazz, 105-90. Jordan ended the game with 37 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Malone had 17 points while Stockton notched a double-double with 14 points and 15 assists.

On February 3, 1992 in Salt Lake City, the Jazz and Bulls played a classic. The game went to three overtimes before the Jazz pulled off a 126-123 victory. Late in the game, Jordan was ejected after receiving two technicals when bumping into an official and arguing a call. He finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.

Karl Malone put up a great performance with 34 points and 21 rebounds. Blue Edwards chipped in 25 points along with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks from Mark Eaton.

With #TheLastDance resuming this weekend we at @KSLSports are resuming our look back at every matchup between Michael Jordan and the @UtahJazz. This weekend… 1990-96. Including this 3OT thriller 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽#TakeNote l #KSLSportsArchive pic.twitter.com/C7tWzagWy6

— Sam Farnsworth (@SFarnsworthKSL) May 10, 2020

Utah ended the 1991-92 season with a 55-27 record. The Jazz slipped by the Los Angeles Clippers in five games in the first round and beat the Seattle Supersonics in five games in the second round. Utah’s playoff run came to an end when the Portland Trail Blazers eliminated the Jazz in six games in the Western Conference Finals.

The Bulls finished the regular season with an impressive 67-15 record. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round, eliminated the New York Knicks in seven games in the second round before knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago won their second straight NBA title after they beat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games.

1992-93 Season

February 1, 1993 was the first meeting of the regular season between the Jazz and Bulls during the 1992-93 season. The game took place in Salt Lake City where Michael Jordan’s 37 points helped the Bulls to a 96-92 win over the Jazz. Utah couldn’t get the win despite a 40-point performance from Karl Malone.

Utah couldn’t get revenge 16 days later when the two teams met in Chicago. The Bulls beat the Jazz 114-96 after Jordan dropped 27 points. Malone recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

The Jazz finished the regular season with a 47-35 record. They lost to the Seattle Supersonics in five games in the first round of the postseason.

The Bulls ended the season with a 57-25 record. They swept the Atlanta Hawks in the first round and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round before knocking off the New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago completed the “three-peat” when they beat the Phoenix Suns in six games to claim their third straight NBA Championship.

After the Bulls won the title, Michael Jordan briefly retired from basketball for 18 months. He did not play in the 1993-94 season as well as the 1994-95 campaign.

1993-94 Season

In the first meeting of the season on January 14, 1994, Jordan did not play but that didn’t stop the Bulls from picking up a 107-91 win over the Jazz. Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 23 points. Karl Malone dropped 26 points and 10 rebounds while Jeff Malone added 21 points.

Jordan did not play in the second game of the matchup in Salt Lake City on February 3, 1994. The Bulls beat the Jazz 94-85 after B.J. Armstrong scored 20 points for Chicago. Malone had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

The Jazz had a 53-29 record after the regular season concluded. They beat the San Antonio Spurs in four games in the first round, Denver Nuggets in seven games in the second round but their run came to a halt when the Houston Rockets eliminated the Jazz in five games in the Western Conference Finals.

Chicago ended with a 55-27 record in the regular season. The Bulls swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round before ending their championship run with a second round loss to the New York Knicks in seven games.

1994-95 Season

The Jazz and Bulls met in Salt Lake City on November 25, 1994. Michael Jordan missed his third straight meeting against the Jazz but Utah pulled off a 124-94 win. Scottie Pippen scored 15 points for the Bulls but that wasn’t enough as Karl Malone dropped 27 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

The return meeting in Chicago on December 17, 1994, Jordan did not play once again. The Jazz beat the Bulls 97-89 after Karl Malone scored 30 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. John Stockton chipped in 16 points, 15 assists and 4 steals. Fun fact, Utah Utes men’s basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak started in this game and scored 6 points in 22 minutes on the floor. Toni Kukoc led the Bulls with 19 points off the bench.

The Jazz finished with a 60-22 record after the regular season but struggled in the first round of the playoffs to the Houston Rockets where they were eliminated in five games.

Chicago ended with a 47-35 record. They knocked off the Charlotte Hornets in four games in the first round before losing to the Orlando Magic in six games in the second round.

1995-96 Season

In the 1995-96 season, the first meeting took place in Salt Lake City with the Bulls taking a 90-85 win. Jordan had 34 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Stockton led the Jazz with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists.

On December 23, 1995, the Bulls beat the Jazz once again, this time in Chicago, 100-86. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were the only Chicago players to score in double figures. Jordan had 30 while Pippen added 28. Malone led the Jazz with 22 points and 7 boards.

Utah finished the regular season with a 55-27 record. They beat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the first round and the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the second round. The Jazz lost to the Seattle Supersonics in seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

After the 1995-96 season, the Bulls set an NBA record with 72 wins and 10 losses. They cruised through the first three rounds of the postseason with a sweep over the Miami Heat in the first round, beating the New York Knicks in five games in the second round and a sweep over the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls claimed their fourth NBA Championship after beating the Seattle Supersonics in six games.