Bulls vs. Knicks: 1998 Eastern Conference Finals Game 6

Lore & Background

The Garden was a cauldron of hostility, fueled by a New York crowd desperate to force Game 7 against their arch-rivals. Led by Patrick Ewing's bruising presence in the paint and Allan Houston's cold-blooded shooting, the Knicks turned every possession into a physical war. The game devolved into a defensive slog where points were harvested like rare gems; free throws became more valuable than field goals as referees struggled to keep up with the relentless contact. It was a night defined by grit over grace, where the tension was so palpable it felt like static electricity in the air, waiting for one single play to break.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Madison Square Garden was thick with floor wax and suffocating anxiety. With the score knotted at 86-86 and seconds evaporating from the clock, the arena seemed to hold its collective breath. Michael Jordan, knees bent and eyes locked on the rim, dribbled near the top of the key. The Knicks' defense collapsed instantly—hands waving in his face, bodies throwing elbows—but he carved out a sliver of space between Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston. He rose up, the ball leaving his fingertips in that familiar, high-arcing trajectory. As it swished through the net with 3.7 seconds remaining, the roar that erupted wasn't just for a basket; it was the sound of an era's greatest trial finally ending.

Reader's Guide

This match took place on May 31, 1998, at Madison Square Garden, marking Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls entered the game with a 3-2 series lead, needing just one victory to advance to their sixth NBA Finals appearance. The contest was a grueling defensive struggle against the physical New York Knicks, featuring intense battles in the paint and perimeter stops that defined the era's style of play. The game remained tight throughout, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. The defining moment arrived in the final seconds when Michael Jordan hit a crucial jump shot over the defense to give Chicago an 87-86 lead. Despite a frantic final possession by Allan Houston for New York that fell short, the Bulls held on for the victory. This game is remembered as the final significant obstacle before the Bulls' sixth title, showcasing the team's resilience and Jordan's clutch gene at its peak. It highlighted the ferocious nature of the Bulls-Knicks rivalry and served as a precursor to the legendary 'Last Dance' Finals run against Utah.

Did You Know?

• This was the last time Michael Jordan scored a game-winning shot in the playoffs during his first retirement era before returning for his final season.
• The series featured multiple ejections and technical fouls, reflecting the intense hostility between the two franchises.
• Scottie Pippen played through significant back pain throughout this series, often requiring treatment on the bench to continue playing.
• This victory marked the 13th time in franchise history that the Bulls advanced to the NBA Finals.