"I have to make sure there's no ligament damage and get it treated" - Michael Jordan weighs in on knee problems with the Wizards in 2001
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Michael Jordan did a great job taking care of his body during his prime. However, after deciding to return to competitive play once again in 2001, MJ knew he had to be wiser. At this point, he was already 38 years old. Suiting up for the Washington Wizards, Jordan needed to play it much safer.
Coming out of retirement for a second time, the NBA landscape was undeniably different. As much as he wanted to, Michael could no longer do the acrobatic and gravity-defying plays most knew him for. Although he was able to adjust his game as he grew older, the Father Time caught up with him.
That was the case in December 2001 when Jordan was dealing with knee issues. He had to let doctors examine them and get to the bottom of it, which was necessary considering the North Carolina product’s game was being affected by the pain.
“I'm going to see Dr. Heffron and make sure it's nothing other than tendinitis and some swelling,” Jordan said at the time via UPI.
MJ not taking any chances
Mike was no stranger to playing through pain—he would sometimes use it as motivation. The Chicago Bulls legend showed that when his team went up against the Detroit Pistons in the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals.
In that matchup, MJ sustained a deep bruise on his left buttocks in the second quarter. Despite this, Mike continued playing, although he admitted it affected his performance significantly.
An entirely different situation
However, Jordan was only 26 years old in 1990. But in his first year with the Wizards, MJ was already 38, meaning the healing time would be different. That's why he had to resolve any health issues as soon as he could.
“I have to make sure there's no ligament damage and get it treated, get it drained, and see what the doctors say I have to do. And see if I can get rid of it,” MJ added.
Jordan would be diagnosed with inflammation in his right knee following an MRI. Thankfully, surgery was not required. He was forced out of the Wizards vs. San Antonio Spurs game to rest his knees. However, to fans' delight, no additional rest was needed for the NBA icon.
Michael would play 60 regular season games that year. However, his presence hardly helped the Wizards’ fortunes, as Washington finished with a 37-45 record, failing to advance to the postseason.