CLEVELAND -- Michael Jordan soaked in the applause and an ovation that came straight from hearts he had broken so many times before.
Cleveland said goodbye to Jordan on Tuesday night with a surprising sendoff he won't forget.
Jordan, who tormented the Cavaliers perhaps more than any other team during his career, scored 26 points as the Washington Wizards kept their playoff hopes alive with a 100-91 win.
In the closing seconds, Cleveland fans warmly saluted Jordan, who knocked the Cavs out of the playoffs four times and cost them their only trip to the NBA Finals in 1992.
"It was a great thing that they did," said Jordan, moved by the emotional tribute. "They didn't have to, but they did and I'm very pleased with that."
Jerry Stackhouse added 18 points as the Wizards moved within 1½ games of idle Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 23 points and Ricky Davis had 18 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds for the Cavs, who dropped to an NBA-worst 15-62.
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| Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers' Jumaine Jones in the second quarter Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Cleveland. (AP) |
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The Wizards (36-41) have five regular-season games remaining in what Jordan has promised will be his final season, and the NBA great doesn't want it to end without another playoff appearance.
One more loss, and Washington's postseason chances could be over.
Jordan wasn't about to let the Cavs have the satisfaction of being the team to end them.
"We needed this game," Jordan said. "I'm going to do everything I can to keep this team moving in the right direction."
As any Cleveland fan can attest, Jordan never gave the Cavs anything other than heartache.
In 1989 with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan hit a game-winning jumper over Craig Ehlo in the final seconds of Game 5 to oust the Cavs from the opening round of the playoffs. A year later, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points against the Cavs, and just last season, he beat them with a buzzer-beater.
Jordan's last game in Cleveland brought out a sellout crowd of 20,562 and the area's top sports celebrities, including Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia, Browns quarterback Tim Couch and high school superstar LeBron James.
James, likely to be the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft, had a front-row seat to watch his idol. Following the game, James and Jordan talked in the hallway outside the Wizards' locker room.
Even the Cavs were caught up in the hoopla.
"This was a great experience, to play against the greatest of all time," Davis said. "It's something I can tell my grandchildren."
Jordan got a long ovation during pregame introductions and Gund Arena was illuminated by camera flashbulbs every time he touched the ball.
Jordan didn't disappoint with an array of spins, head fakes and jumpers. He ended the third quarter with a long 3-pointer to give the Wizards a 76-71 lead.
He opened the fourth with another jumper for his 24th point, and when the Wizards built an 11-point advantage, Jordan spent the rest of the game directing his young teammates on the floor making sure they didn't give back the lead.
With 7 seconds left, Washington coach Doug Collins, Chicago's coach in 1989 when Jordan made "The Shot" over Ehlo, called a 20-second timeout to get Jordan out of the game.
As he walked to the sideline the Cleveland crowd stood and showed their respect for Jordan, who waved back in appreciation.
"It's inspiring," he said. "For the years I put in this game and what I've tried to do on the court. It's the last time in this place and it means a lot to me. There are great memories for me to reminisce about once I'm in a rocking chair."
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