Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 10, 1993 TAG: 9301100045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium
SHORT OF WILT, JORDAN HITS MARK QUICKLY
Sooner or later, Michael Jordan was going to get to 20,000 points. He made it sooner than almost everyone else - in his 620th NBA game. It was later only than Wilt Chamberlain, who reached the milestone in 499 games.Now in his ninth season, Jordan made a 3-point field goal midway through the fourth quarter during the Chicago Bulls' 120-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The points put him in the 20,000 club - only the 18th player in league history to reach that plateau.
"It looks like I fell short of Wilt Chamberlain again, which is a privilege," said Jordan, who is trying to catch or surpass him in several record categories.
Jordan is seeking his seventh consecutive league scoring title, which would tie him with Chamberlain.
"I won't evaluate this [20,000 points] until I'm away from the game," Jordan said. "I'm happy about it, but we still have a long season to go. I'm sure as I get older, I will cherish it more."
Against the Bucks, Jordan was 15-of-26 from the field, including two 3-pointers, and was perfect on three free-throw attempts.
His 35th and final point gave the Bulls their biggest lead, 110-77.
It came when he normally would be sitting on the bench watching the reserves play during a blowout. It also came while he still was fighting the flu. But this was different.
Coach Phil Jackson asked Jordan whether he wanted to try and reach the milestone.
"Phil asked me if I wanted to do it in Philly [the Bulls' opponent Saturday night], but I wanted to do it here," Jordan said. "I'm appreciative to Chicago and I feel proud to have had the opportunity. It felt good to be the second-fastest to do it."
Shortly after reaching it, Jordan left with 4:59 remaining to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 18,676 in Chicago Stadium and hugs and high-fives from his teammates.
The Bulls had entered the game with a two-game losing streak.
"We needed a win tonight, we didn't want to get complacent after two losses," Jordan said. "It just so happens that I got my 20,000th in the middle of it." - Associated Press