1998 NBA Finals & 'Flu Game' | ‘Delta Center’ Basketball Court Floorboard

Distinguished American Collection

In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Michael Jordan put the exclamation point on an already legendary career. With under a minute remaining and Jordan’s Chicago Bulls trailing the Utah Jazz by 1 point, ‘His Airness’ stole the ball from Jazz forward Karl Malone to give the Bulls one last chance to win the game.

Famous for his affinity to deliver in clutch situations, Jordan patiently dribbled at the top of the key as the game clock continued to tick closer to zero. With 10 seconds left, he sized up his defender, Byron Russell, before driving right towards the free throw line. A wicked crossover saw Russell stumble backwards as Jordan elevated to release the most memorable jumpshot in NBA history. Jordan held his picture perfect followthrough as the ball swished through the net with just 5.2 seconds remaining in the game. The nearly 20,000 people in attendance, mostly Jazz fans, were left stunned as Jordan had once again summoned his magical ability to deliver when it mattered most. It remains the most-watched NBA game in the history of the league. 

Apart from being the site of Jordan’s game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, the Delta Center also served as the backdrop for another iconic Jordan performance from the prior year: the ‘Flu Game’.  

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, despite suffering from flu-like symptoms, Jordan battled to score 38 points and help the Bulls secure a road victory and a 3-2 series lead. In the following game, the Bulls sealed the championship, Jordan’s fifth to that point. 

Commenting after the game, Jordan said, “Probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I almost played myself into passing out just to win a basketball game.”

In the six total games played at the Delta Center between the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls went 3-3. Five of those games were decided by 5 points or less. Jordan was named Finals MVP following both championships.

Sotheby’s is proud to offer a 60 x 48-inch section of the Delta Center basketball court in Salt Lake City, Utah, the site of two of Michael Jordan's most iconic performances: Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals and Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals ('Flu Game'). This specific section features the ‘U’ in ‘UTAH’ from the baseline area of the court.

The floorboard is accompanied by a photomatch letter from Sports Investors Authentication.