Within the remaining minutes earlier than the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Indiana Pacers within the inaugural In-Season Event Closing, The Athletic’s Shams Charania issued a troubling report: Austin Reaves, arguably the third finest Laker, was coping with a non-COVID associated sickness. His offense was going to be vital in a attainable shootout with the run-and-gun Pacers, so the Lakers wanted him at full energy. 

Thankfully, Reaves delivered. He completed the ultimate with 28 factors on 9-of-15 capturing. He could have been overshadowed by the 41-20-5-4 line Anthony Davis posted, however the Lakers wouldn’t have received the primary ever NBA Cup with out the contributions of their ailing sixth man. So impressed together with his efficiency was LeBron James that the legendary Laker blessed it with a comparability to some of the well-known particular person video games in NBA historical past.

“Who had the higher flu sport: AR or MJ?” James yelled at Reaves, in keeping with The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. “It is up for debate!” Whether or not James was severe or merely joking, we can’t say for sure (although the latter is clearly far likelier), however sadly for Reaves, Jordan nearly definitely has him beat.

Jordan’s well-known Flu Sport got here in Sport 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. He outscored Reaves—38-to-28—whereas additionally racking up extra assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. Extra pressingly, Jordan’s sport got here within the NBA Finals. Reaves’ got here in a distinct kind of remaining, however no person would equate the 2 throughout the In-Season Event’s maiden voyage.

Sadly, whereas Reaves will not be leaving Vegas having had the best Flu Sport in NBA historical past, he’ll simply must accept the comfort prizes of $500,000 in money and an In-Season Event medal—one of many few issues within the NBA that Jordan himself by no means received.