With 51, Jordan Gets Point Across to Critics

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 30, 2001 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Coming off the worst game of his career, Michael Jordan felt he needed to make a statement.

Embarrassing every defender who tried to guard him, Jordan scored 51 points and set franchise records with 24 first-quarter points and 34 points in a half Saturday night as the Wizards ended a two-game losing streak with a 107-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

“Fifty-one is something I didn’t imagine,” Hornet forward P.J. Brown said. “He kind of went back in time tonight.”

Jordan made 21 of 38 shots from the field, nine of 10 free throws and had seven rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes. He had a shot at Earl Monroe’s franchise game record of 56 until the Wizards blew the game open in the third quarter, allowing Coach Doug Collins to sit his star for good with 3:08 remaining in the game.

It was his first 50-point game since scoring 55 points for Chicago in a playoff game against Washington in 1997.

“You think the guy’s got a little pride?” Collins said. “He had a tough night in Indiana, and I think he was going to come back and show who he is.... I’ve seen this guy do some unbelievable things, but at age 38 to do this tonight is incredible.”

Jordan scored a career-low six points in Thursday’s loss to the Pacers, ending his record 866-game streak of 10 points or more.

He needed only 4:25 to start another double-digit streak, making five of his first six shots and scoring the Wizards’ first 13 points.

“I’m pretty sure you guys were saying how old I was,” Jordan said. “And I wanted certainly to make a statement offensively.”

Jordan’s 39th regular season 50-point game was the first by Washington player since Tracy Murray scored 50 at Golden State on Feb. 10, 1998.

Hubert Davis added 21 points and Jahidi White had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards.

Realizing he was hot, Jordan wanted the ball. Two familiar moves were on display early and often: the fadeaway off the screen and the pivot around a defender who fell for the fake.

Jordan didn’t have his legs in the fourth quarter, making only two of seven shots, but he blew past Stacey Augmon for an easy layup with seven minutes left.

“It’s been a long time since someone said that I was hanging in the air,” Jordan said. “I felt real good in the first half. My rhythm, my timing was perfect, and I had the defense guessing. It was one of those nights.”

Jordan said he’s felt this kind of rhythm only once before this season, when he scored 44 in a loss to Utah.

“I hate to see wasted energy like that,” Jordan said. “And we won the game tonight.”