In the golden era of the NBA, few rivalries burned as brightly as that between Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan. While Jordan’s Chicago Bulls were synonymous with success, Wilkins, a standout for the Atlanta Hawks, held his own as one of the league’s premier talents.
Their on-court battles were legendary, but it was a memorable locker room encounter that still echoes through NBA history. Among the luminaries of the hardwood, Wilkins’name stood tall, alongside that of Jordan.
One incident from the early stages of Jordan’s career stands out vividly in Wilkins’ memory. In a showdown between the Hawks and the Bulls, Jordan made an unexpected entrance into Atlanta’s locker room, displaying confidence in his signature style.
Dominique Wilkins revealed on VladTV, “So we’re in Chicago, Michael walks into our locker room, suit and tie. I’m like, what is this son of a gun coming into our locker room for? I’m thinking he’s going to the training room or something. He walks by me, he walks by Kevin Willis, he gets to Randy Wittman, and he taps him on his leg”.
The Hawks star further revealed the nerve-racking statement of Jordan. “He said, ‘Lace ‘em up, it’s gonna be a long night’”, Wilkins explained. This move by Jordan, a player known for his competitive fire and trash-talking prowess, set the stage for a remarkable showdown on the court. It was a game that would go down in history.
Dominique Wilkins reveals Michael Jordan’s locker room trash talk
Dominique Wilkins also revealed how he reacted to the unexpected show that Jordan put out inside the locker room. He expressed, “And I’m shocked, I ain’t even know what to say, so he’s walking out…and I yell something, and I said, ‘Well you tell that son of a b*** Scottie Pippen I’m gonna kick his a**.’ He had 60 that night”.
The Hawks were undoubtedly motivated after Jordan’s unexpected visit, but it didn’t deter the Bulls’ legend from delivering a performance for the ages. Jordan’s scoring prowess was on full display as he dropped a staggering 61 points that night.
Notably, MJ’s trash-talk was not restricted to the opposing team, but also to his teammates. In 1993, Rodney McCray, a former Bulls player, took an early retirement after being at the receiving end of Jordan’s trash talk.
The Rules of Trash Talk by Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/65l7oa03EQ
— Melissaidwhat⁉️ (@MsMeliss) February 17, 2022
Furthermore, whenever Wilkins and Jordan shared the court, fans were treated to a spectacle. In this particular game, Jordan’s trash talk elevated the stakes, yet he still managed to deliver one of the most extraordinary performances of his career.
While Jordan’s 61-point display was nothing short of remarkable, the final result didn’t align with his expectations. Despite his individual brilliance, the Bulls fell short. It was the Hawks who emerged victorious with a final score of 117-114.
For a player as fiercely competitive as Jordan, this defeat would have undoubtedly stung. In the end, Dominique Wilkins and the Hawks had the last laugh.