Tim Hardaway still remembers the summer night he scored 62 points against NBA legend Michael Jordan.
It wasn’t an NBA game, but it changed everything for him. Jordan didn’t take it personally; he smiled because he saw something real. He saw a college guard who wasn’t afraid to attack him, even for one night.
It was the late 1980s in Chicago, a summer league matchup filled with pros and college stars. Hardaway was heading into his senior year at UTEP, still a few seasons from the NBA, but already playing with a pro’s edge.
Jordan, then the biggest name in basketball, welcomed the challenge and got more than he expected.
The night Tim Hardaway went shot-for-shot with Michael Jordan
Hardaway didn’t hold back when he recalled the duel on an episode of the Crossover Podcast.
“Oh, I f_____ Michael up in summer league. I’m not scared to say this. We lost, we should have won, double overtime. S___, Michael then came to me and said, ‘You had a chance.’ That’s all I need,” Hardaway said.
That night, Hardaway poured in 62 points while Jordan finished with 60.
Hardaway added: “He had 60, I had 62. I was on his a__. I wasn’t sticking him. He wasn’t sticking me.”
It wasn’t about defense; it was about pride. They went back and forth for two overtimes, matching each other’s fire. When it was over, Jordan’s simple line said everything about the respect earned.
That short exchange stuck with Hardaway. He didn’t see a superstar brushing him off; he saw a competitor acknowledging someone who belonged.
That night, Jordan recognized the same confidence that would later make Hardaway one of the league’s toughest guards.
How the moment shaped Tim Hardaway’s rise
Back at UTEP, Hardaway carried that night as proof he could score with anyone. He became the face of the program before jumping to the NBA and building his name on control, speed, and confidence.
Jordan’s reaction wasn’t anger; it was admiration. Even in a summer run, he saw the drive that would turn Hardaway into an All-Star.
Moments like that defined that era: raw competition, no cameras, just hoopers proving they belonged. Jordan respected players who stood their ground and didn’t flinch. Hardaway did exactly that, and it set the tone for his career.
Years later, he still laughs when telling the story. But behind the grin, there’s pride. Jordan didn’t hand out compliments easily, and ‘You had a chance’ was about as high as praise got.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
