Which career highlights are in NBA 2K23’s Jordan Challenge? Michael Jordan game mode returns with 15 playable moments
NBA 2K gamers rejoice—the Jordan Challenge, a fan-favorite mode from NBA 2K11, returns in NBA 2K23.
On Thursday, NBA 2K debuted the official trailer for the new Jordan Challenge, giving fans a chance to virtually relive some of the greatest highlights of Michael Jordan’s career.
Complete with animations like the Scottie Pippen “Flu Game” hug and the iconic bouncing punch after “The Shot,” 2K’s Jordan Challenge will be filled with nostalgia for NBA fans who witnessed his illustrious career, while younger NBA fans , who never managed to see Jordan play for the first time will be able to experience his signature plays and plays.
What moments made the cut? We’ve got you covered with all of them below, along with the newly released Jordan Challenge trailer.
MORE: When is NBA 2K23 out? Release date, cost, edition guide and more
NBA 2K23 Jordan Challenge: How the Michael Jordan game mode works
The Jordan Challenge features 15 unique gaming experiences, beginning with Jordan’s career at the University of North Carolina and ending with his final shot with the Bulls.
Each moment is individualized to look, feel and sound like the game took place in the era it took place in.
The game mode will also feature interviews with teammates, opponents and prominent figures from Jordan’s era to enlighten players on the importance of each moment.
1982 National Championship: North Carolina vs. Georgetown
- Jordan hit a game winner with 15 seconds left to win the National Championship.
1984 Team USA basketball scrimmage
- In front of a sold-out Hoosier Dome, rookie Michael Jordan competed with legends like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas.
1986 Eastern Conference First Round Game 2
- Jordan scored 63 points in his second ever playoff series against one of the best teams in NBA history in Bird’s Celtics.
1988 NBA All-Star Game
- Dominating against the league’s top players, Jordan won the All-Star Game MVP award after scoring 40 points in 29 minutes.
1989 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 5
- With the best-of-five series between the Bulls and Cavaliers tied two games each, Jordan had 44 points, nine rebounds and six assists to send the Bulls through to the next round.
1989 Eastern Conference Finals Game 3
- In the battle against the physical “bad boy” Pistons, Jordan left the field with 46 points and the Bulls went into the series with a crucial 2-1 lead.
1990 Atlanta Hawks with the Chicago Bulls
- Some of Jordan’s biggest singles bouts came against Dominique Wilkins – relive one of those bouts in this head-to-head showdown.
1990 Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jordan had dominated the Cavaliers in the past, and in this contest he scored 69 points on 23 of 37 shots from the field.
1991 NBA Finals Game 5
- Jordan finally clinched his first Larry O’Brien trophy when the Bulls defeated Johnson and the Lakers in five games.
1992 NBA Finals Game 1
- In his second straight Finals appearance, Jordan sent a message to the Trail Blazers with a 39-point performance in a 33-point win.
1995 Chicago Bulls at the New York Knicks
- The famous “double nickel” Jordan scored 55 points against Patrick Ewing and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
1996 NBA Finals Game 6
- In what was probably Jordan’s toughest test in the NBA Finals, he led the Bulls past Gary Payton and the SuperSonics to his fourth NBA title.
1997 NBA Finals Game 5
- “The Flu Game” – Jordan battled illness and fatigue as he led the Bulls to a comeback victory over the Jazz by scoring 38 points in 44 minutes.
1997 Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- What happens when your idol becomes your rival? This was Jordan’s first matchup against Kobe Bryant, who came into the league with a Jordanian boast. Even though Kobe scored 33 points against MJ, Jordan reminded him it was still his league and scored 36 points on a win.
1998 NBA Finals Game 6
- “The Shot” – Jordan racked up 45 points and capped the series with an iconic game winner to capture his sixth NBA title.