1994–95 Chicago Bulls season

Background

The Bulls held a 23–25 record at the All-Star break. Jordan's return, announced by a faxed memo that simply said "I'm back", came with a new jersey number, #45; the Bulls won 24 of their final 34 games and finished third in the Central Division, earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and a playoff place for the eleventh consecutive year. Jordan averaged 26.9 points in 17 games, while Scottie Pippen averaged 21.4 points and was named to the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

In the first round the Bulls beat the fourth-seeded Charlotte Hornets in four games; Jordan scored 48 points in the Game 1 overtime win. In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals they met the top-seeded Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway and former Bulls forward Horace Grant. Jordan changed his jersey number back to #23 during the series, which caused controversy. With the series tied 2–2, the Bulls lost Game 5 in Orlando 103–95 and Game 6 at the United Center 108–102, losing the series in six games.