Alongside Michael Jordan gracing the Championship Edition and his own version of NBA 2K23, 2K has announced it is bringing back the athlete’s challenges which were a key feature of NBA 2K11. NBA 2K23’s The Jordan Challenges have been rebuilt for new technology and will benefit from the advancements seen in the last 12 years since they originally made their appearance.
The Jordan Challenges were originally focused on 10 legendary games from Michael Jordan’s career, where you were tasked with trying to replicate what Michael Jordan had done on the court during those games. These include his 1986 game in the first round of the playoff against the Celtics, where he made his mark and his 1996 finals game against the Seattle Supersonics.
But, NBA 2K23’s The Jordan Challenges have changed in this year’s game and this article will cover those changes and any new tweaks!
NBA 2K23 The Jordan Challenges Overview
In NBA 2K23 The Jordan Challenges will bring back 2K11’s ten challenges and add five new challenges, focusing on additional highlights from Michael Jordan’s career. These 15 challenges are:
1982 National Championship: University of North Carolina vs. Georgetown
The 1982 National Championship featured future Hall of Famers, legendary matchups, and the first glimpse of Michael Jordan’s clutch gene. Down 62-61 with less than 20 seconds to play, MJ, a first-year Tar Heel, clinched the title with a go-ahead jump shot with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Many players, not just freshmen, would’ve folded under the bright lights and intensity of a national championship, but not No. 23. Experience Jordan’s first iconic shot by recreating the magic of the 1982 National Championship.
1984 Team USA Basketball Scrimmage
67,596 fans descended upon the Hoosier Dome in 1984 to witness a clash between NBA giants, as the USA Olympic Team, led by Michael Jordan, went toe-to-toe with Magic Johnson and the NBA All-Stars. In a game featuring NBA legends like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Isiah Thomas, and more, Jordan proved, as a rookie, he was capable of defeating some of the game’s greatest stars.
The Arrival
Jordan made his mark with this 63 point playoff game against a heavily favoured Celtics team.
- When: April 20, 1986. Game 2, 1st round playoffs vs. Boston Celtics
- Goal 1: Score 63+ points
- Goal 2: Shoot 50%+ from the field
1988 NBA All-Star Game
Despite playing only 29 minutes, Michael Jordan led all scorers with 40 points with a field goal percentage of .739.
Take the court as His Airness against a stacked lineup of Western Conference All-Stars including Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and more.
1989 Eastern Conference First Round Game 5
Elimination games provide the ultimate test for any competitor looking to establish themselves as a ‘clutch player.’ The Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers sat tied 2-2 entering a win-or-go-home Game 5 in Cleveland, setting the stage for a masterful performance from Jordan.
The North Carolina native hung 44 points, nine rebounds, and six assists on the Cavs, giving his team a one-point win to advance. Showcase Jordan’s varied skill set and dash Cleveland’s playoff hopes.
69 points
This time Jordan gets the win by dropping 69 points and putting a dent in the Cavaliers’ playoff plans.
- When: March 28, 1990. Regular season game vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Goal 1: Score 69+ points
- Goal 2: Shoot 50%+ from the field
- Goal 3: Win the game
Shootout
Jordan and Dominique Wilkins face-off in some of the all-time greatest scoring performances of the era.
- When: Any date in 1990. Regular season game vs Atlanta Hawks
- Goal 1: Outscore Dominique
- Goal 2: Hold Dominique under 25 points
- Goal 3: Win the game
Bad Boys
Jordan showed the Pistons and the world that no defensive strategy could stop him for long.
- When: May 26, 1990. Game 3 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Detroit Pistons
- Goal 1: Score 47+ points
- Goal 2: Wing the game
1991 NBA FInals
Jordan silenced the doubters by coming back from a game one embarrassment to thrash the lakers in these finals.
- When: June 2 through June 12, 1991, vs Los Angeles Lakers
- Goal 1: Average 31.0+ points
- Goal 2: Shoot 55% from the field
- Goal 3: Win the series
The Shrug
Just to prove a point, Jordan sets the tone for the series by dominating the first half of this first Finals game.
- When: June 3, 1992. Game 1, 1st round playoffs vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Goal 1: Score 35+ points in the first half
- Goal 2: Make 6+ threes in the first half
- Goal 3: Win the game
Double Nickel
After a stint with the bat, Jordan returns to New York to tear up the Knicks for 55 points and an unforgettable pass.
- When: March 18, 1995. Regular season game vs. New York Knicks
- Goal 1: Score 55+ points
- Goal 2: Shoot 55%+ from the field
- Goal 3: Win the game
Father’s Day Victory
Michael ran the table over the entire league but this fourth title would prove to be just as special as his first.
- When: June 16, 1996. Game 6, 1996 Finals (last game of series as Chicago Bulls won 4-2) vs. Seattle Supersonics
- Goal 1: Score 22+ points
- Goal 2: Grab 9+ rebounds
- Goal 3: Win the game
The Flu Game
A very ill Jordan still manages to dominate the game and hit the winning shot in the last few seconds.
- When: June 11, 1997. Game 6, 1997 Finals (not the last game of the series as it went to 7) vs. Utah Jazz
- Goal 1: Score 38+ points
- Goal 2: Grab 7+ rebounds
- Goal 3: Win the game
1997 Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant entered the NBA with a swagger and an air of confidence that resembled shades of Michael Jordan, but whether he was MJ’s heir to the throne remained to be seen. Bryant, who grew up idolizing Jordan, went at his idol all game, determined to prove he was worthy of receiving the torch.
The Lower Merion High School product dropped 33 points against MJ and the Bulls, but Jordan’s 36 were a reminder that he still reigned supreme. Teach the up-and-coming Bryant a few things en route to a commanding win.
Michael’s Last Dance
With one final rounding shot, Jordan seals both his legacy and the fate of the Jazz’s championship hopes.
- When: June 14, 1998. Game 6 1998 Finals vs. Utah Jazz
- Goal 1: Score 45+ points
- Goal 2: Get 4+ steals
- Goal 3: Win the game
These ten challenges are all the ones from NBA 2K11. The five new ones for NBA 2K23 will be revealed later in the Summer.
All of the challenges will be in every edition of the game, so you will be able to replay your favourites from the game more than a decade ago or check out the new challenges.
For more on NBA 2K23, check out the latest ahead of the NBA 2K23 release date and all the announced, NBA 2K23 cover athletes, including Michael Jordan himself.