Michael Jordan’s Bulls Were 28-1 When Favored in Playoff Series—A Staggering Stat That Defines Their Championship Legacy
In the storied history of the NBA, no dynasty has left a legacy quite like the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. Led by the incomparable Michael Jordan, the Bulls were more than just winners—they were a juggernaut that defined greatness, altered expectations, and shattered records. While their six championships in eight years often serve as the headline, one statistic rises above the rest to showcase their unparalleled dominance: the Bulls went 28-1 in playoff series when favored.
That single loss? A stumble in 1995 to the Orlando Magic during Jordan’s return from his baseball hiatus. Aside from that lone blemish, Chicago, with Jordan at the helm, ran through the postseason like a machine engineered for championships. The Bulls’ 28-1 record when favored in a playoff series is not just a number—it is a testament to consistency, mental fortitude, and the ability to deliver under pressure.
The Only Loss: 1995 vs. Orlando Magic
To understand the depth of this statistic, you must first examine the context of the one time the Bulls lost a playoff series when they were expected to win. The 1994–95 NBA season was unlike any other for Michael Jordan. Having returned from his baseball career in the middle of the season, Jordan played just 17 regular season games, shaking off the rust and finding his rhythm on the fly. Wearing No. 45 instead of his iconic No. 23, Jordan was not quite the same force—at least not immediately.
The Bulls faced a young and hungry Orlando Magic team in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Led by Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, the Magic were rising stars, and they caught the Bulls at the perfect time. Chicago was still adjusting to Jordan’s return, and Jordan himself was still adjusting to the pace of NBA basketball after 18 months away. The Magic eliminated the Bulls in six games, marking the only time Jordan’s Bulls would lose a playoff series after being favored.
It’s crucial to note, however, that even that loss carried an asterisk in the eyes of many. Jordan wasn’t fully “back,” and by the next season, he would shed No. 45 for No. 23 and return to his dominant form.
What Makes 28-1 So Remarkable?
In sports, upsets are inevitable. Even the best teams occasionally falter under the weight of expectations or face an underdog playing above their heads. That’s what makes the Bulls’ 28-1 playoff series record as favorites so extraordinary. They didn’t just win titles—they met expectations every single time, without fail.
In every title run—1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998—the Bulls were never underdogs in any playoff series. Think about that: across six championship seasons and 24 playoff series, they entered every matchup with the oddsmakers on their side. And they delivered every single time.
Add in the few other series they played in non-title years (such as 1990 and 1994), and the math leads to that 28-1 figure. It shows that when the world expected Jordan and the Bulls to win, they did—without exception.
The Anatomy of a Dynasty
So how did they do it? How did the Bulls stay so consistent over such a long period? The answer starts with Jordan himself. Beyond his scoring, defensive prowess, and unmatched competitiveness, Jordan brought an aura that elevated the Bulls to another level.
But basketball is a team game, and Jordan’s supporting cast was elite. Scottie Pippen was a Hall of Fame wing in his own right, a two-way star whose versatility made life easier on both ends of the floor. Head coach Phil Jackson, the “Zen Master,” brought cohesion, calm, and the famed triangle offense, which allowed the team’s talent to flourish within a structured system.
The Bulls also surrounded Jordan and Pippen with complementary role players like Horace Grant, Toni Kukoč, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, and Ron Harper—each of whom filled a specific need. Together, they built a core that was mentally tough, physically imposing, and strategically disciplined.
1991–1993: The First Three-Peat
Jordan’s breakthrough came in 1991, when the Bulls dismantled the Detroit Pistons, the team that had haunted him for years, in the Eastern Conference Finals. From there, the Bulls took down Magic Johnson’s Lakers in the NBA Finals, officially signaling the changing of the guard.
In 1992, they repeated, besting a loaded Portland Trail Blazers team led by Clyde Drexler. And in 1993, they three-peated with a hard-fought win over Charles Barkley’s Phoenix Suns. In all three of those title runs, the Bulls never faced a Game 7 and never lost a series—going 12-2 in playoff series over that span.
The Hiatus and Return
Following his father’s tragic death, Jordan walked away from the game in October 1993 to pursue a brief baseball career. The Bulls remained competitive in his absence, but without Jordan, they were no longer the same fearsome playoff team. They fell to the New York Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
When Jordan returned in March 1995, he reignited hope in Chicago. But as mentioned, they fell to Orlando in the playoffs that year, marking their only series loss while being favored during Jordan’s career.
1996–1998: The Second Three-Peat
Reinvigorated and rededicated, Jordan entered the 1995–96 season with a vengeance. The Bulls posted a then-record 72-10 regular season record, steamrolling the competition en route to a championship over the Seattle SuperSonics.
In 1997 and 1998, the Bulls dispatched the Utah Jazz in back-to-back NBA Finals. Both times, they overcame the brilliance of Karl Malone and John Stockton. Jordan’s iconic “Flu Game” in Game 5 of the 1997 Finals and his game-winning shot over Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals became indelible images in basketball lore.
Across those three years, the Bulls won 12 playoff series in a row—again, never underdogs, always favored, and always victorious.
Comparing Greatness Across Eras
To fully appreciate the Bulls’ 28-1 record as favorites, consider how rare that kind of sustained success is. Even other dynasties have stumbled. The Showtime Lakers, Bird’s Celtics, Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers, the Duncan-led Spurs, and even the Steph Curry Warriors all had multiple playoff series losses as favorites.
Whether due to injuries, upsets, matchup issues, or simply bad timing, even great teams usually falter now and then. But Jordan’s Bulls? They stood as the immovable force.
This stat—28-1 when favored—doesn’t just show they won; it shows they won when they were supposed to. They delivered on expectations. They crushed doubt. They answered the call every single time—except once, when Jordan was wearing No. 45, still shaking off the rust, and trying to reclaim his throne.
Legacy Cemented
So what does this mean for the legacy of Michael Jordan and his Bulls?
It means dominance. It means excellence with consistency. It means pressure didn’t matter. When the lights were brightest, and the bar was set sky-high, they rose above it. Jordan’s individual accolades—five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, six Finals MVPs—tell part of the story. But this 28-1 record completes the picture.
The Bulls didn’t just win championships. They won when everyone expected them to. No letdowns. No collapses. No excuses.
As time goes on and new superteams rise and fall, the legacy of Jordan’s Bulls will always be measured by this ruthless efficiency. It’s why many still view Jordan as the greatest to ever do it and the Bulls as the gold standard of what a championship team looks like.
28-1.
A number that says everything without needing another word.
