CHICAGO — On June 14, 1998, Michael Jordan hit one of the most iconic shots in basketball history — a last-minute jumper that helped the Chicago Bulls defeat the Utah Jazz 87–86 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, capturing their sixth championship of the decade.
The moment became legendary not just for its dramatic finish, but also because it marked Jordan’s final game in a Bulls uniform. It would be the end of the dynasty that dominated the 1990s and forever changed the NBA.
The front page of the Chicago Tribune the following morning read: “The Joy of Six.”
Championship Years:
1991: Bulls defeat Lakers
1992: Bulls defeat Blazers
1993: Bulls defeat Suns
1996: Bulls defeat Sonics
1997: Bulls defeat Jazz
1998: Bulls defeat Jazz
Jordan’s Last Shot Seals the Title
With under 30 seconds to go and the Bulls trailing by one, Jordan first stripped Karl Malone of the ball, then calmly dribbled up the court, crossed over defender Bryon Russell, and drained the game-winning shot with just 5.2 seconds left.
The final score:
Chicago 87 – Utah 86
Jordan finished with 45 points, carrying the Bulls in what became the last game of the second three-peat era.
“It was poetry in motion,” one broadcaster said of the move. “No one else writes endings like that.”
Legacy Moment: End of an Era
The June 14 game ended a chapter that defined not just Chicago sports, but basketball history. Following the win, coach Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and eventually Jordan himself would all depart the Bulls, ending a legendary run of dominance.
The win gave the Bulls their sixth NBA title in eight years, cementing Jordan’s place at the top of the GOAT conversation and bringing closure to one of the greatest dynasties in sports.
That season and its finale were later chronicled in ESPN’s award-winning documentary, The Last Dance, which revisited Jordan’s impact on and off the court.
Lasting Impact on Chicago and the NBA
Chicago has not returned to the NBA Finals since that 1998 victory, but Jordan’s legacy still fuels the city’s basketball culture. His number 23 jersey remains iconic, and the statue outside the United Center draws fans from around the world.
As ESPN noted in a retrospective piece, “Jordan didn’t just win — he exited on the most dramatic note possible.”
Where were you when Jordan hit “The Shot”?
Share your memories of June 14, 1998, or tell us what that championship meant for your family and city pride — only at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
