1990–91 Chicago Bulls season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the Bulls' 25th season in the National Basketball Association.^[1] During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Dennis Hopson from the New Jersey Nets,^[2][3] and signed free agent Cliff Levingston.^[4][5] The Bulls overcame a slow start, losing their first three games of the season,^[6] as they later on went on an 11-game winning streak between February and March,^[7] held a 32–14 record at the All-Star break,^[8] then posted a nine-game winning streak also in March.^[9] The Bulls finished in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 61–21 record,^[10] surpassing their previous franchise-best from the 1971–72 season.^[11] Widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time, the Bulls had the best team offensive rating and the seventh best team defensive rating in the NBA.

1990–91 Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach	Phil Jackson
General manager	Jerry Krause
Owner(s)	Jerry Reinsdorf
Arena	Chicago Stadium
Results
Record	61–21 (.744)
Place	Division: 1st (Central) Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish	NBA Champions (Defeated Lakers 4–1)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	WGN-TV 9 SportsChannel Chicago (Jim Durham, Johnny "Red" Kerr)
Radio	WLUP–AM 1000 (Jim Durham, Johnny "Red" Kerr, John Rooney, Tom Boerwinkle)
< 1989–90 1991–92 >

Michael Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game, and won another scoring title and his second Most Valuable Player award,^{[12][13][14][15]} while being named to the All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and was selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game.^[16][17] Scottie Pippen averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Horace Grant provided the team with 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Bill Cartwright contributed 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.^[18] Three-point specialist Craig Hodges won the Three-Point Shootout for the second consecutive year during the All-Star Weekend in Charlotte,^[19][20] and head coach Phil Jackson finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.^[21][22]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New York Knicks in three straight games.^{[23][24][25][26]} Then in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated Charles Barkley and the 5th-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in five games.^{[27][28][29][30]} In the Eastern Conference Finals, they swept the defending champion Detroit Pistons in four straight games, and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time.^{[31][32][33][34]}

After losing Game 1 at home, 93–91 to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers,^[35][36] the Bulls would win the 1991 NBA Finals in five games, winning their first ever championship in franchise history.^{[37][38][39][40][41]} This season was the first of three consecutive NBA titles for the Bulls, as well as marking the beginning of the legendary Bulls dynasty, which would net the team another five more championships over the next seven seasons. In 2024, following the Boston Celtics winning their 18th NBA Finals championship, this Chicago Bulls squad would tie that same Celtics team for the 20th easiest route to the NBA Finals championship according to HoopsHype, with Chicago being docked due to their first round opponent, the New York Knicks, having a losing record that season.^[42]

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
2	29	Toni Kukoč	SF	Yugoslavia ( Croatia)	KK Split

Roster

1990–91 Chicago Bulls roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 10 Armstrong, BJ 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1967–09–09 Iowa C 24 Cartwright, Bill 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–07–30 San Francisco F 54 Grant, Horace 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–07–04 Clemson G 14 Hodges, Craig 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1960–06–27 Long Beach State G/F 2 Hopson, Dennis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–04–22 Ohio State G 23 Jordan, Michael 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1963–02–17 North Carolina F/C 34 King, Stacey 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–01–29 Oklahoma F 53 Levingston, Cliff 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1961–01–04 Wichita State G 5 Paxson, John 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1960–09–29 Notre Dame C 32 Perdue, Will 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1965–08–29 Vanderbilt F 33 Pippen, Scottie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–09–25 Central Arkansas F 42 Williams, Scott 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1968–03–21 North Carolina

Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant coach(es) Johnny Bach Jim Cleamons Tex Winter Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: October 15, 1990

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Chicago Bulls	61	21	.744	—	35–6	26–15	25–5
x-Detroit Pistons	50	32	.610	11	32–9	18–23	19-11
x-Milwaukee Bucks	48	34	.585	13	33–8	15–26	16–14
x-Atlanta Hawks	43	39	.524	18	29–12	14–27	11–19
x-Indiana Pacers	41	41	.500	20	29-12	12–29	15-15
Cleveland Cavaliers	33	49	.402	28	23–18	10–31	11-19
Charlotte Hornets	26	56	.317	35	17–24	9–32	8–22

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	c-Chicago Bulls	61	21	.744	–
2	y-Boston Celtics	56	26	.683	5
3	x-Detroit Pistons	50	32	.610	11
4	x-Milwaukee Bucks	48	34	.585	13
5	x-Philadelphia 76ers	44	38	.537	17
6	x-Atlanta Hawks	43	39	.524	18
7	x-Indiana Pacers	41	41	.500	20
8	x-New York Knicks	39	43	.476	22
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	33	49	.402	28
10	Washington Bullets	30	52	.366	31
11	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	35
12	Charlotte Hornets	26	56	.317	35
13	Miami Heat	24	58	.293	37

Record vs. opponents

1990–91 NBA records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	—	3–1	1–4	1–4	3–2	2–0	1–1	0–5	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–3	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2
Boston	1–3	—	3–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	2–0	4–1	5–0	1–1	2–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–1
Charlotte	4–1	1–3	—	0–5	1–4	1–1	0–2	1–4	1–1	0–2	0–5	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2
Chicago	4–1	2–2	5–0	—	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	1–1	0–2	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	4–1	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	3–1
Cleveland	2–3	1–3	4–1	0–5	—	2–0	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3
Dallas	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	—	3–1	0–2	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–4	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–4	2–2	0–5	2–0
Denver	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–3	—	0–2	1–3	0–5	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–4	0–4	1–3	1–1
Detroit	5–0	2–2	4–1	2–3	3–2	2–0	2–0	—	1–1	2–0	3–2	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–3	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Golden State	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	—	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–3	2–3	2–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	0–2
Houston	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	5–0	0–2	2–2	—	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	2–0	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	2–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	2–3	2–2	2–2	1–1
Indiana	1–4	2–2	5–0	1–4	4–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	1–1	1–1	—	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	0–2	2–3	2–2	1–1	—	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–2	3–1	2–0	4–0	—	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	4–0	3–1	3–2	2–2	2–0
Miami	0–4	1–4	2–2	0–4	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	—	0–4	0–2	3–3	1–4	1–1	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–2
Milwaukee	3–2	2–2	3–2	1–4	3–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	1–1	0–2	3–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	—	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–1	2–3	0–2	1–3	0–5	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	—	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	1–4	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–3	2–2	1–1	—	0–5	1–1	2–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–3
New York	1–3	0–5	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	0–4	1–1	5–0	—	0–2	5–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–2
Orlando	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	3–2	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	—	0–2	2–2	0–4	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–4	1–1
Philadelphia	4–0	3–2	2–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	0–2	3–2	1–5	2–0	—	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–2
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	4–0	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	—	3–2	3–1	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–0
Portland	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	2–3	—	3–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	2–0
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	3–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–3	—	1–3	1–4	1–3	2–0
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	4–1	2–0	2–2	3–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–1	—	3–1	2–3	2–0
Seattle	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–3	0–4	4–1	1–3	—	1–3	2–0
Utah	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–2	3–1	—	2–0
Washington	2–2	1–5	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

Regular season

1990–91 game log Total: 61–21 (Home: 35–6; Road: 26–15)
November: 9–6 (home: 3–2; road: 6–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 2, 1990 Philadelphia L 116–124 Michael Jordan (34) Cliff Levingston (6) Jordan & Paxson (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 0–1 2 November 3, 1990 @ Washington L 102–103 Michael Jordan (28) Michael Jordan (10) B. J. Armstrong (4) Capital Centre 18,756 0–2 3 November 6, 1990 Boston L 108–110 Michael Jordan (33) Cartwright & Jordan (8) Michael Jordan (12) Chicago Stadium 18,676 0–3 4 November 7, 1990 @ Minnesota W 96–91 Grant & Jordan (17) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (6) Target Center 19,006 1–3 5 November 9, 1990 @ Boston W 120–100 Michael Jordan (41) Cliff Levingston (12) Scottie Pippen (10) Boston Garden 14,890 2–3 6 November 10, 1990 Charlotte W 105–86 Michael Jordan (23) Bill Cartwright (7) Michael Jordan (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 3–3 7 November 13, 1990 @ Utah W 84–82 Michael Jordan (29) Grant & Jordan (11) Scottie Pippen (6) Salt Palace 12,616 4–3 8 November 15, 1990 @ Golden State L 93–103 Horace Grant (18) Scottie Pippen (9) Scottie Pippen (7) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 4–4 9 November 17, 1990 @ Seattle W 116–95 Michael Jordan (33) Scottie Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (6) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,692 5–4 10 November 18, 1990 @ Portland L 112–125 Michael Jordan (29) Bill Cartwright (8) Michael Jordan (7) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 5–5 11 November 21, 1990 @ Phoenix L 107–109 Michael Jordan (34) Bill Cartwright (12) 3 players tied (4) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487 5–6 12 November 23, 1990 @ L.A. Clippers W 105–97 John Paxson (26) Scottie Pippen (13) Scottie Pippen (12) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,357 6–6 13 November 24, 1990 @ Denver W 151–145 Michael Jordan (38) Bill Cartwright (8) Michael Jordan (12) McNichols Sports Arena 17,022 7–6 14 November 28, 1990 Washington W 118–94 Michael Jordan (24) Bill Cartwright (8) Michael Jordan (7) Chicago Stadium 18,165 8–6 15 November 30, 1990 Indiana W 124–95 Michael Jordan (37) Horace Grant (9) Scottie Pippen (15) Chicago Stadium 18,346 9–6
December: 11–3 (home: 10–1; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 16 December 1, 1990 @ Cleveland W 120–85 Michael Jordan (32) Bill Cartwright (9) Scottie Pippen (13) Richfield Coliseum 20,273 10–6 17 December 4, 1990 Phoenix W 155–127 Michael Jordan (27) Horace Grant (12) Scottie Pippen (11) Chicago Stadium 18,094 11–6 18 December 7, 1990 New York W 108–98 Michael Jordan (33) Horace Grant (13) Michael Jordan (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 12–6 19 December 8, 1990 Portland L 101–109 Michael Jordan (35) Scottie Pippen (14) John Paxson (11) Chicago Stadium 18,676 12–7 20 December 11, 1990 @ Milwaukee L 87–99 Michael Jordan (31) Horace Grant (9) Michael Jordan (5) Bradley Center 18,633 12–8 21 December 14, 1990 L.A. Clippers W 128–88 Scottie Pippen (22) Will Perdue (9) B. J. Armstrong (9) Chicago Stadium 17,893 13–8 22 December 15, 1990 Cleveland W 116–98 Michael Jordan (24) Michael Jordan (9) Hodges & Jordan (6) Chicago Stadium 18,228 14–8 23 December 18, 1990 Miami W 112–103 Michael Jordan (39) Michael Jordan (9) 3 players tied (6) Chicago Stadium 17,877 15–8 24 December 19, 1990 @ Detroit L 84–105 Michael Jordan (33) Grant & Pippen (9) Michael Jordan (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 15–9 25 December 21, 1990 L.A. Lakers W 114–103 Michael Jordan (33) Michael Jordan (15) Jordan & Pippen (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 16–9 26 December 22, 1990 Indiana W 128–118 Michael Jordan (29) Cartwright & Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (11) Chicago Stadium 18,261 17–9 27 December 25, 1990 Detroit W 98–86 Michael Jordan (37) Bill Cartwright (10) John Paxson (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 18–9 28 December 27, 1990 Golden State W 128–113 Michael Jordan (42) Michael Jordan (14) Scottie Pippen (10) Chicago Stadium 18,676 19–9 29 December 29, 1990 Seattle W 116–91 Michael Jordan (31) Bill Cartwright (13) B. J. Armstrong (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 20–9
January: 9–4 (home: 5–0; road: 4–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 30 January 3, 1991 @ Houston L 92–114 Michael Jordan (32) Horace Grant (12) Jordan & Pippen (7) The Summit 16,611 20–10 31 January 5, 1991 Cleveland W 108–92 Michael Jordan (30) Horace Grant (11) B. J. Armstrong (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 21–10 32 January 8, 1991 New Jersey W 111–102 Michael Jordan (41) Scottie Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (7) Chicago Stadium 18,169 22–10 33 January 9, 1991 @ Philadelphia W 107–99 Michael Jordan (40) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (9) The Spectrum 18,168 23–10 34 January 11, 1991 Atlanta W 99–96 Michael Jordan (31) 3 players tied (10) Scottie Pippen (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 24–10 35 January 12, 1991 @ Charlotte W 106–95 Michael Jordan (33) Cartwright & Grant (11) Scottie Pippen (12) Charlotte Coliseum 23,901 25–10 36 January 14, 1991 Milwaukee W 110–97 Michael Jordan (34) Horace Grant (12) Michael Jordan (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 26–10 37 January 16, 1991 @ Orlando W 99–88 Michael Jordan (29) Horace Grant (13) Armstrong & Jordan (4) Orlando Arena 15,077 27–10 38 January 18, 1991 @ Atlanta L 105–114 Michael Jordan (30) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (8) The Omni 16,390 27–11 39 January 21, 1991 @ Miami W 117–106 Michael Jordan (37) Horace Grant (10) 4 players tied (5) Miami Arena 15,008 28–11 40 January 23, 1991 @ New Jersey L 95–99 Michael Jordan (35) Horace Grant (11) Michael Jordan (5) Brendan Byrne Arena 18,333 28–12 41 January 25, 1991 Miami W 108–87 Michael Jordan (26) Cliff Levingston (10) B. J. Armstrong (6) Chicago Stadium 18,676 29–12 42 January 31, 1991 @ San Antonio L 102–106 Michael Jordan (36) Horace Grant (16) John Paxson (4) HemisFair Arena 15,908 29–13
February: 11–1 (home: 6–0; road: 5–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 43 February 1, 1991 @ Dallas W 101–90 Michael Jordan (31) Scottie Pippen (14) Grant & Jordan (8) Reunion Arena 17,007 30–13 44 February 3, 1991 @ L.A. Lakers L 86–99 Scottie Pippen (24) Will Perdue (11) Michael Jordan (9) Great Western Forum 17,505 30–14 45 February 4, 1991 @ Sacramento W 108–97 Michael Jordan (24) Will Perdue (14) Scottie Pippen (8) ARCO Arena 17,014 31–14 46 February 7, 1991 @ Detroit W 95–93 Michael Jordan (30) Michael Jordan (9) 3 players tied (3) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 32–14 All-Star Break 47 February 12, 1991 Atlanta W 122–113 Michael Jordan (32) Grant & King (6) Scottie Pippen (10) Chicago Stadium 18,545 33–14 48 February 14, 1991 @ New York W 102–92 Michael Jordan (29) Stacey King (9) Scottie Pippen (6) Madison Square Garden 19,081 34–14 49 February 16, 1991 New Jersey W 99–87 Michael Jordan (26) Jordan & Perdue (11) Michael Jordan (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 35–14 50 February 18, 1991 @ Cleveland W 110–95 Michael Jordan (32) Bill Cartwright (7) Scottie Pippen (6) Richfield Coliseum 20,273 36–14 51 February 19, 1991 Washington W 118–113 Michael Jordan (40) Scottie Pippen (13) Scottie Pippen (8) Chicago Stadium 17,894 37–14 52 February 22, 1991 Sacramento W 129–82 Michael Jordan (34) Scottie Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (9) Chicago Stadium 18,413 38–14 53 February 23, 1991 Charlotte W 129–108 Scottie Pippen (43) Horace Grant (17) Paxson & Pippen (6) Chicago Stadium 18,676 39–14 54 February 26, 1991 Boston W 129–99 Michael Jordan (39) Jordan & Perdue (8) B. J. Armstrong (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 40–14
March: 13–4 (home: 7–1; road: 6–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 55 March 1, 1991 Dallas W 109–86 Michael Jordan (29) Michael Jordan (11) B. J. Armstrong (10) Chicago Stadium 18,676 41–14 56 March 2, 1991 @ Indiana L 114–135 Michael Jordan (22) Will Perdue (13) B. J. Armstrong (5) Market Square Arena 16,530 41–15 57 March 5, 1991 Milwaukee W 104–86 Michael Jordan (30) Scottie Pippen (10) B. J. Armstrong (7) Chicago Stadium 18,335 42–15 58 March 8, 1991 Utah W 99–89 Michael Jordan (37) Bill Cartwright (9) Scottie Pippen (11) Chicago Stadium 18,676 43–15 59 March 10, 1991 @ Atlanta W 122–87 Michael Jordan (25) Cliff Levingston (10) Michael Jordan (9) The Omni 16,371 44–15 60 March 12, 1991 Minnesota W 131–99 Grant & Jordan (20) Horace Grant (12) Michael Jordan (10) Chicago Stadium 18,268 45–15 61 March 13, 1991 @ Milwaukee W 102–101 Michael Jordan (39) Horace Grant (11) Scottie Pippen (6) Bradley Center 18,633 46–15 62 March 15, 1991 @ Charlotte W 105–92 Michael Jordan (34) Will Perdue (12) Michael Jordan (8) Charlotte Coliseum 23,901 47–15 63 March 16, 1991 @ Cleveland W 102–98 Michael Jordan (37) Horace Grant (9) Scottie Pippen (7) Richfield Coliseum 20,273 48–15 64 March 18, 1991 Denver W 121–108 Michael Jordan (31) Scottie Pippen (11) B. J. Armstrong (9) Chicago Stadium 18,163 49–15 65 March 20, 1991 Atlanta W 129–107 Michael Jordan (22) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (11) Chicago Stadium 18,439 50–15 66 March 22, 1991 @ Philadelphia L 90–95 Michael Jordan (20) Horace Grant (10) B. J. Armstrong (7) The Spectrum 18,168 50–16 67 March 23, 1991 Indiana W 133–119 Michael Jordan (39) Will Perdue (11) Scottie Pippen (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 51–16 68 March 25, 1991 Houston L 90–100 Michael Jordan (34) Grant & Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 51–17 69 March 28, 1991 @ New Jersey W 128–94 Michael Jordan (42) Scottie Pippen (14) Michael Jordan (4) Brendan Byrne Arena 20,049 52–17 70 March 29, 1991 @ Washington W 112–94 Grant & Pippen (22) Horace Grant (13) Jordan & Pippen (5) Capital Centre 18,756 53–17 71 March 31, 1991 @ Boston L 132–135 (2OT) Michael Jordan (37) Horace Grant (18) Jordan & Pippen (9) Boston Garden 14,890 53–18
April: 8–3 (home: 4–2; road: 4–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 72 April 2, 1991 Orlando W 106–102 Michael Jordan (44) Horace Grant (7) Michael Jordan (6) Chicago Stadium 18,264 54–18 73 April 4, 1991 @ New York W 101–91 Michael Jordan (34) Scottie Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (12) Madison Square Garden 19,081 55–18 74 April 5, 1991 San Antonio L 107–110 Michael Jordan (39) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 55–19 75 April 7, 1991 Philadelphia L 111–114 (OT) Michael Jordan (41) Horace Grant (7) Scottie Pippen (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 55–20 76 April 9, 1991 New York W 108–106 Michael Jordan (28) Horace Grant (14) Michael Jordan (8) Chicago Stadium 18,676 56–20 77 April 10, 1991 @ Indiana W 101–96 Michael Jordan (28) Horace Grant (7) Scottie Pippen (6) Market Square Arena 16,530 57–20 78 April 12, 1991 @ Detroit L 91–95 Michael Jordan (40) Scottie Pippen (11) Scottie Pippen (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 57–21 79 April 15, 1991 Milwaukee W 103–94 Michael Jordan (46) Horace Grant (11) Scottie Pippen (6) Chicago Stadium 18,117 58–21 80 April 17, 1991 @ Miami W 111–101 Michael Jordan (26) Scottie Pippen (11) Scottie Pippen (9) Miami Arena 15,008 59–21 81 April 19, 1991 @ Charlotte W 115–99 Michael Jordan (41) Horace Grant (11) Scottie Pippen (8) Charlotte Coliseum 23,901 60–21 82 April 21, 1991 Detroit W 108–100 Scottie Pippen (28) Will Perdue (10) Scottie Pippen (5) Chicago Stadium 18,678 61–21
1990–91 schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log Total: 15–2 (Home: 8–1; Road: 7–1)
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 25, 1991 New York W 126–85 Michael Jordan (28) Horace Grant (8) B. J. Armstrong (10) Chicago Stadium 18,676 1–0 2 April 28, 1991 New York W 89–79 Michael Jordan (26) Scottie Pippen (8) Scottie Pippen (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 2–0 3 April 30, 1991 @ New York W 103–94 Michael Jordan (33) Scottie Pippen (11) Michael Jordan (7) Madison Square Garden 18,021 3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 4, 1991 Philadelphia W 105–92 Michael Jordan (29) Horace Grant (9) Scottie Pippen (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 1–0 2 May 6, 1991 Philadelphia W 112–100 Michael Jordan (29) Scottie Pippen (11) Michael Jordan (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 2–0 3 May 10, 1991 @ Philadelphia L 97–99 Michael Jordan (46) Scottie Pippen (13) Jordan & Pippen (6) Spectrum 18,168 2–1 4 May 12, 1991 @ Philadelphia W 101–85 Michael Jordan (25) Horace Grant (11) Michael Jordan (12) Spectrum 17,514 3–1 5 May 14, 1991 Philadelphia W 100–95 Michael Jordan (38) Michael Jordan (19) Michael Jordan (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 4–1
Conference Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 19, 1991 Detroit W 94–83 Michael Jordan (22) Horace Grant (10) three players tied (6) Chicago Stadium 18,676 1–0 2 May 21, 1991 Detroit W 105–97 Michael Jordan (35) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (7) Chicago Stadium 18,676 2–0 3 May 25, 1991 @ Detroit W 113–107 Michael Jordan (33) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 3–0 4 May 27, 1991 @ Detroit W 115–94 Michael Jordan (29) Horace Grant (9) Scottie Pippen (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 4–0
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 1–1; road: 3–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 June 2, 1991 L.A. Lakers L 91–93 Michael Jordan (36) Horace Grant (10) Michael Jordan (12) Chicago Stadium 18,676 0–1 2 June 5, 1991 L.A. Lakers W 107–86 Michael Jordan (33) Jordan & Perdue (7) Michael Jordan (13) Chicago Stadium 18,676 1–1 3 June 7, 1991 @ L.A. Lakers W 104–96 (OT) Michael Jordan (29) Scottie Pippen (13) Michael Jordan (9) Great Western Forum 17,506 2–1 4 June 9, 1991 @ L.A. Lakers W 97–82 Michael Jordan (28) Scottie Pippen (9) Michael Jordan (13) Great Western Forum 17,506 3–1 5 June 12, 1991 @ L.A. Lakers W 108–101 Scottie Pippen (32) Scottie Pippen (13) Michael Jordan (10) Great Western Forum 17,506 4–1
1991 schedule

Player stats

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Regular season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
B. J. Armstrong	82	0	21.1	.481	.500	.874	1.8	3.7	.85	.05	8.8
Bill Cartwright	79	79	28.8	.490	.000	.697	6.2	1.6	.41	.19	9.6
Horace Grant	78	76	33.9	.547	.167	.711	8.4	2.3	1.22	.88	12.8
Craig Hodges	73	0	11.5	.424	.383	.963	.6	1.3	.47	.03	5.0
Dennis Hopson	61	0	11.9	.426	.200	.663	1.8	1.1	.41	.23	4.3
Michael Jordan	82	82	37.0	.539	.312	.851	6.0	5.5	2.72	1.01	31.5
Stacey King	76	6	15.8	.467	.000	.704	2.7	.9	.32	.55	5.5
Cliff Levingston	78	0	13.0	.450	.250	.648	2.9	.7	.37	.55	4.0
John Paxson	82	82	24.0	.548	.438	.829	1.1	3.6	.76	.04	8.7
Will Perdue	74	3	13.1	.494	.000	.670	4.5	.6	.31	.77	4.1
Scottie Pippen	82	82	36.8	.520	.309	.706	7.3	6.2	2.35	1.13	17.8
Scott Williams	51	0	6.6	.510	.500	.714	1.9	.3	.24	.25	2.5

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
B. J. Armstrong	17		16.1	.500	.600	.800	1.6	2.5	1.12	.06	5.5
Bill Cartwright	17		30.1	.519	.000	.688	4.7	1.9	.53	.41	9.5
Horace Grant	17		39.2	.583	.000	.733	8.1	2.2	.88	.35	13.3
Craig Hodges	17		12.3	.423	.393	.750	.2	.6	.65	.00	4.7
Dennis Hopson	5		3.6	.333	.000	.444	.8	.2	.00	.20	1.6
Michael Jordan	17		40.5	.524	.385	.845	6.4	8.4	2.35	1.35	31.1
Stacey King	11		7.8	.296	.000	.636	2.0	.2	.09	.09	2.1
Cliff Levingston	17		11.3	.512	.000	.500	2.4	.4	.59	.41	2.6
John Paxson	17		28.6	.530	.143	1.000	1.4	3.1	.65	.00	8.2
Will Perdue	17		11.6	.547	.000	.545	3.8	.2	.12	.47	4.1
Scottie Pippen	17		41.4	.504	.235	.792	8.9	5.8	2.47	1.12	21.6
Scott Williams	12		6.0	.462	.000	.550	1.7	.2	.08	.25	1.9

NBA Finals

Game 1

Sunday, June 2, at the Chicago Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	Tot.
Los Angeles	29	22	24	18	93
Chicago	30	23	15	23	91

Game 2

Wednesday, June 5, at the Chicago Stadium The Bulls shot a Finals record 61.7% from the floor, with a Jordan layup over Sam Perkins a highlight.^[43]

Team	1	2	3	4	Tot.
Los Angeles	23	20	26	17	86
Chicago	28	20	38	21	107

Game 3

Friday, June 7, at the Great Western Forum

Team	1	2	3	4	OT	Tot.
Chicago	25	23	18	26	12	104
Los Angeles	25	22	25	20	4	96

Michael Jordan sends Game 3 to overtime with a pull-up jumper with 3.4 seconds to go.^[44]

Game 4

Sunday, June 9, at the Great Western Forum

Team	1	2	3	4	Tot.
Chicago	27	25	22	23	97
Los Angeles	28	16	14	24	82

Game 5

Wednesday, June 12, at the Great Western Forum

The Lakers were facing elimination, and the lack of Worthy and Scott was not any help to the Lakers. This would not stop Magic Johnson as Johnson had 20 assists in the game, but it was not enough. Elden Campbell outscored Michael Jordan with 13 points in the first half, but it was not enough. The Lakers still fought and even led 93–90 in the fourth quarter, but a Bulls 9–0 run, and Paxson's 10 points in the final half of the fourth quarter helped secure the Chicago Bulls', and Michael Jordan's first NBA title.^[38]

Team	1	2	3	4	Tot.
Chicago	27	21	32	28	108
Los Angeles	25	24	31	21	101

Award winners

• Michael Jordan, All-NBA First Team
• Michael Jordan, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
• Michael Jordan, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
• Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
• Scottie Pippen, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goals (990)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1837)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Total Points (2580)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (31.5 points per game)
• Michael Jordan, Associated Press Athlete of the Year^[45]
• Michael Jordan, Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year

NBA All-Star Game

• Michael Jordan, Guard

Transactions

References

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2. Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1990). "Nets Continue to Deal, Trading Hopson to Bulls". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
3. "2 Dennis Hopson". Chicago Tribune. November 2, 1990. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
4. McKibben, Dave (August 14, 1990). "NBA Stars Near San Diego Sellout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
5. Smith, Sam (October 2, 1990). "Bulls Close in on Levingston". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
6. "PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Beat Bulls at Buzzer". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 7, 1990. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
7. Murphy, Robert J. (March 2, 1991). "Bulls 109, Mavericks 86". United Press International. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
8. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
9. Murphy, Robert J. (March 20, 1991). "Bulls 129, Hawks 107". United Press International. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
10. "1990–91 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
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13. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 21, 1991). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Jordan Is MVP in Landslide Vote". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
14. Smith, Sam (May 21, 1991). "Jordan MVP by a Landslide". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
15. "NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
16. Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
17. "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
18. "1990–91 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
19. Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1991). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rookie Wins Dunk Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
20. Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1991). "Celtics' Brown Makes Dunking Dee-Lightful: All-Stars: At 6-1, He Uses Creativity to Beat Seattle's Kemp. Hodges Wins Shootout Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
21. "Chaney Gets Coaching Award, New Contract". United Press International. May 23, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
22. "Rockets' Chaney Named Coach of Year". Chicago Tribune. May 24, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
23. Schabner, Dean (April 30, 1991). "Bulls 103, Knicks 94". United Press International. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
24. Brown, Clifton (May 1, 1991). "BASKETBALL; No-Good-Knicks: Bulls Complete a Playoff Sweep". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
25. Smith, Sam (May 1, 1991). "How Sweep It Is! Bulls Beat Knicks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
26. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
27. Murphy, Robert J. (May 14, 1991). "Bulls 100, 76ers 95". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
28. Brown, Clifton (May 15, 1991). "BASKETBALL: THREE TEAMS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS; Jordan's Punch Knocks Out the 76ers". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
29. "Jordan's 38 Points, 19 Rebounds Fuel Bulls: Eastern Conference: He Takes Advantage of 76ers' Limping Hawkins as Chicago Advances with a 100-95 Victory". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
30. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: 76ers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
31. Brown, Clifton (May 28, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Bulls Brush Aside Pistons for Eastern Title". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
32. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 28, 1991). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Bulls Erase the Last Doubt: Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls Extinguish Piston Hopes for a Third Consecutive Title, 115-94, and Make Their First Trip to the Championship Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
33. Wilbon, Michael (May 28, 1991). "Bulls Handle All Pistons' Shots, Sweep Them". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
34. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
35. Brown, Clifton (June 4, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Jordan, Jordan, Jordan Needs a Hand Out There". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
36. Heisler, Mark (June 7, 1991). "NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls: GAME 1: Perkins Shoots Down Bulls from Afar, 93-91". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
37. Barnes, Mike (June 12, 1991). "Bulls Beat Lakers for Title, 108-101". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
38. Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
39. Heisler, Mark (June 13, 1991). "NBA FINALS: LAKERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
40. Aldridge, David (June 13, 1991). "Jordan, Co. Complete NBA Title Run, 108-101". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
41. "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
42. "Ranking the easiest paths to an NBA title ever". HoopsHype. June 18, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
43. Goldaper, Sam (June 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Pippen Performs Magic on Defense". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
44. Brown, Clifton (June 8, 1991). "Extra! Bulls Rally Then Down Lakers in Overtime". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
45. Associated Press Athlete of the Year (male)

• Bulls on Database Basketball
• Bulls on Basketball Reference
• "Learning To Fly" – Documentary on the 1990–91 Chicago Bulls on YouTube