Ranking Michael Jordan’s 5 best game-winning shots for his 55th birthday

Michael Jordan was known for many incredible moments in his legendary NBA career. In honor of his 55th birthday, let’s look at some of his most clutch shots.

Although he had many incredible moments, his most memorable ones were his many clutch performances and game-winning shots. In honor of his 55th birthday, we rank the five best game-winning shots from the greatest player to ever lace up on a basketball court.

5. February 16, 1989 vs Milwaukee

1989 was the beginning of Michael Jordan’s NBA takeover and would set the bar for his six championships in nine years with the Chicago Bulls. In this regular season matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jordan scored a cool 50 points and nailed the game-winning shot.

Milwaukee turned the ball over off of an inbound with just nine seconds left in regulation and the ball found its way to Michael as he marched up the court. With a quick turn towards the right elbow, Michael released his shot and buried the game-winner with just one second left on the clock.

The crowd went crazy, the announcers were out of their mind, and Michael couldn’t help but jump around with joy himself.

4. The Shot III: January 31st, 2002 vs Cleveland

Even during his final years in the NBA, Michael Jordan still found a way to punish the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now with the Washington Wizards, Jordan was out to prove that he still had that killer instinct, no matter how old he was. MJ scored 26 points in this game and nailed the game-winner at the buzzer, putting a dagger in the hearts of Cleveland sports fans for what seemed like the millionth time.

A quick dribble and shot off of an inbound pass at the free throw line confirmed what Michael and all of his fans believed: even at 40 years old, His Airness still had it.

3. 1982 NCAA National Championship: March 29th, 1982 vs Georgetown

Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA National Championship game put him on the basketball map.

In a heated battle against a powerhouse Georgetown squad featuring Patrick Ewing and Sleepy Floyd, a sensational performance by James Worthy and Michael’s late-game heroics led North Carolina to its second championship and the first since 1957.

Michael would continue to impress in his two following seasons with the Tar Heels and the rest is history.

2. The Shot: May 7th, 1989

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This game-winner in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals began the pain and suffering that the Cleveland Cavaliers would endure for the next decade at the hands of Michael Jordan.

Fighting through a near triple-team, Jordan caught the inbound pass, ran to his left and leaned in for “The Shot”, nailing it at the buzzer with Craig Ehlo right in his face.

The shot was incredible, but most fans remember the jump and pose mid-air that Michael pulled off while celebrating the shot. This became one of the most iconic pictures and moments in the history of professional sports.

1.1998 NBA Finals Game 6 vs Utah

This game-winner needs no introduction.

Michael Jordan’s last shot defined an entire era of professional sports in America, dominated by slam dunks, sensational playoff performances and a whole generation of kids who wanted to “be like Mike”.

What could be a better exclamation point and sendoff of a career than to hit the game-winning shot in the NBA Finals? For Michael, no moment was ever too big or too challenging for him. He welcomed them all.

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This game-winner capped off his sixth NBA Championship, all in the 90’s, with the Chicago Bulls. Out of all of his 23 game-winning shots in the NBA, we narrowed down the list to his five greatest, and there was no question which shot would take the number one spot.