Everyone knows about Michael Jordan’s so-called “flu game” in the 1997 NBA Finals (although, according to the documentary “The Last Dance,” he was sick due to a case of food poisoning).
But many may not know that Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson had his own “flu game” about a decade earlier.
It came in Game 2 of the 1988 NBA Finals.
The Lakers were facing the young, hungry and vicious Detroit Pistons, who had just taken Game 1 from them at The Forum, 105-93.
By Game 2, Johnson had come down with a bad case of the flu, and although he was very weak, he played anyway.
It was a virtual must-win contest for L.A., especially given that the Finals had a 2-3-2 home court format back then, meaning that it faced the possibility of losing the series in the middle three games in Detroit.
But Johnson, always the warrior and the champion, helped lead the way with 23 efficient points and 11 assists, and the Lakers got off to a good start, leading by 10 at halftime.
Detroit made two runs in the second half, but Johnson and company were able to hold them off for a 108-96 victory.
Byron Scott helped out with 24 points, while James Worthy excelled with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Although the battle versus the Pistons was just starting, the Lakers had proven they could beat the new beast of the East when it mattered.
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