Full Game: The Cleveland Nemesis | Michael Jordan Wizards vs Cavaliers (January 31, 2002)

In a powerful moment of nostalgia during his improbable comeback with the Washington Wizards, a 38-year-old Michael Jordan defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers with his final career game-winning buzzer-beater. The dramatic 93-92 victory served as a vintage performance in a city that had witnessed some of his most iconic moments, offering a glimpse of the clutch brilliance that defined his legend. Returning to Cleveland, the site of his legendary 1989 playoff winner known as "The Shot," Jordan endured a difficult shooting night, going just 11-for-28 from the field. The struggle was magnified when, with 22.1 seconds remaining and his team trailing by one, he uncharacteristically missed two critical free throws. After a Cleveland basket, the Wizards found themselves down 92-91, setting the stage for one final play with 1.6 seconds on the clock. Jordan took the inbounds pass, created space against defender Wesley Person, and drained a 15-foot fadeaway as time expired. The shot was an act of personal redemption. "I wanted to redeem myself for the two free throws I missed," Jordan stated after the game. "It was a big shot. They always are when you hit them at the end of the game and win." It was his first game-winning buzzer-beater since his championship-clinching shot for the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals. For the Cleveland fans who had seen him dash their hopes so many times before, it was one last signature moment. "I've had a great relationship with the fans here," Jordan acknowledged. "I'm happy to give them something to remember me by." Cavaliers coach John Lucas could only state the obvious: "It was a great shot by the greatest player to ever play the game." As Roland Lazenby wrote in Michael Jordan: The Life, it was a night "when the old magic surfaced," a poignant reminder of an aging king's undeniable greatness. Timestamp Index: 00:00 Intro 01:07 Richard Hamilton returns to the lineup after a 17-game absence 07:31 Jahidi White scores after a Michael Jordan steal 09:49 Michael Jordan offensive rebound and put-back 10:40 Michael Jordan fadeaway jumper 13:16 Jahidi White with a spectacular reverse layup 16:05 Jahidi White with a second reverse slam dunk 26:03 Richard Hamilton's first basket after returning from injury 40:44 Michael Jordan with a beautiful pass to Jahidi White for the score 41:54 Michael Jordan finishes the alley-oop from Courtney Alexander 46:42 Courtney Alexander with the steal and slam dunk 48:51 Michael Jordan finds Tyronn Lue for a three-pointer at the end of the half 51:47 Start of the 3rd Quarter 52:53 Chris Whitney finds Michael Jordan under the basket for the score 58:56 Jahidi White with a third impressive reverse layup 01:03:30 Michael Jordan scores in the paint to end a Cavaliers run 01:23:00 Courtney Alexander with a fast break slam dunk 01:23:20 Final Two Minutes 01:26:50 Michael Jordan finds Popeye Jones for the and-1 01:27:52 Michael Jordan hits the fadeaway jumper to take the lead 01:38:52 Chris Mihm puts the Cavaliers ahead with 1.6 seconds left 01:42:08 Michael Jordan hits the game-winning shot at the buzzer