Editorial recap
After more than a year away from the NBA, Jordan announced his return with the famous “I'm back” and returned to the court on March 19, 1995. Chicago was 34-31 when he rejoined the team and his impact was immediate: the Bulls finished the stretch 13-4 and reached the playoffs.
Only days after returning, he produced another legendary night with 55 points at Madison Square Garden against New York. In the postseason, Chicago eliminated Charlotte but lost 4-2 to Orlando. Even so, that brief sample was enough to foreshadow what would come the following year.
Regular-season averages
| GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 17 | 39,3 | 41,1 | 50,0 | 80,1 | 1,5 | 5,4 | 6,9 | 5,3 | 1,76 | 0,76 | 26,9 |
GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.
Playoff averages
| GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 42,0 | 48,4 | 36,7 | 81,0 | 2,0 | 4,5 | 6,5 | 4,5 | 2,30 | 1,40 | 31,5 |
GP = games played · GS = games started · MPG = minutes per game · FG% = field-goal percentage · 3P% = three-point percentage · FT% = free-throw percentage · ORB = offensive rebounds · DRB = defensive rebounds · TRB = total rebounds · AST = assists · STL = steals · BLK = blocks · PTS = points.
Key moments
- Returned wearing number 45 before later reclaiming 23.
- Scored 55 points in New York in only his fifth game back.
- His return immediately revived Chicago's ambitions.
Honors and distinctions
- His late return kept him from accumulating major season awards, but it put the Bulls back at the center of the league.