The 1994-95 Chicago Bulls season was a pivotal one in the franchise’s history. It marked the first full season without Michael Jordan, who had retired in October 1993 to pursue a baseball career. Despite his absence, the Bulls remained competitive under the leadership of head coach Phil Jackson and the on-court prowess of Scottie Pippen, who took on the primary leadership role.
The Bulls finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, securing the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Pippen was instrumental, averaging 21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, earning All-NBA First Team honors and finishing third in the MVP voting. The team also added Toni Kukoc and Ron Harper to bolster their roster, while Steve Kerr emerged as a key contributor off the bench.
In March 1995, the landscape of the Bulls’ season dramatically shifted with the return of Michael Jordan. On March 18, Jordan announced his return with the simple statement, “I’m back.” He rejoined the team wearing the number 45 and played the final 17 games of the regular season, during which the Bulls went 13-4 and Jordan averaged 26.9 points per game.
The Bulls entered the playoffs with renewed optimism. They defeated the Charlotte Hornets in four games in the first round but faced a tougher challenge in the second round against the Orlando Magic, a team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. The Bulls were eliminated in six games, ending their playoff run earlier than anticipated. Despite the early exit, Jordan’s return set the stage for the Bulls’ subsequent dominance in the latter half of the 1990s, leading to three consecutive championships starting the following season.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 2-4
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 1994-95 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Michael Jordan | 17 | 26.9 | 6.9 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 50.0 | 10 | 31.5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 36.7 |
| Scottie Pippen | 79 | 21.4 | 8.1 | 5.2 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 34.5 | 10 | 17.8 | 8.6 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 36.8 |
| Toni Kukoč | 81 | 15.7 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 31.3 | 10 | 13.8 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 43.8 |
| B.J. Armstrong | 82 | 14.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 42.7 | 10 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 44.8 |
| Steve Kerr | 82 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 52.4 | 10 | 5.1 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 42.1 |
| Will Perdue | 78 | 8.0 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 10 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Ron Harper | 77 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 28.2 | 6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Luc Longley | 55 | 6.5 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 10 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Greg Foster | 17 | 6.1 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jo Jo English | 8 | 5.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bill Wennington | 73 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 10 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Pete Myers | 71 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 25.6 | 9 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 50.0 |
| Larry Krystkowiak | 19 | 4.4 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jud Buechler | 57 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 31.3 | 10 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Corie Blount | 68 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dickey Simpkins | 59 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls in the 1995 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Charlotte Hornets
In the first round of the 1995 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Charlotte Hornets. With Michael Jordan having returned from retirement late in the season, the Bulls showcased a blend of tenacity and flair, ultimately securing the series 3-1. Jordan's return added a vital boost to the team's dynamics, setting the stage for their deep playoff aspirations, although they eventually fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 108-100 | |
| Apr 30, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 106-89 | |
| May 02, 1995 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 103-80 | |
| May 04, 1995 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 85-84 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Orlando Magic
In the 1995 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite Michael Jordan's dramatic return to the team late in the season, the Bulls struggled against a formidable Magic squad led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, ultimately losing the series in six games. Jordan, still shaking off rust from his short-lived baseball career, showed flashes of brilliance but it wasn't enough to overcome Orlando's youthful energy and depth.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 94-91 | |
| May 10, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | W 104-94 | |
| May 12, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 110-101 | |
| May 14, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 106-95 | |
| May 16, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-95 | |
| May 18, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 108-102 |
Chicago Bulls 1994-95 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1994-95 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1994 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 89-83 | |
| Nov 05, 1994 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 100-99 | |
| Nov 07, 1994 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 98-83 | |
| Nov 09, 1994 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 110-109 | |
| Nov 11, 1994 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 112-100 | |
| Nov 12, 1994 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 124-120 | |
| Nov 16, 1994 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 94-92 | |
| Nov 17, 1994 | @ Houston Rockets | L 106-83 | |
| Nov 19, 1994 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 111-85 | |
| Nov 22, 1994 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-93 | |
| Nov 23, 1994 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-111 | |
| Nov 25, 1994 | @ Utah Jazz | L 124-94 | |
| Nov 30, 1994 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 118-105 | |
| Dec 02, 1994 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 92-81 | |
| Dec 03, 1994 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 125-109 | |
| Dec 05, 1994 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 99-94 | |
| Dec 09, 1994 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 117-96 | |
| Dec 10, 1994 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-103 | |
| Dec 13, 1994 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 98-78 | |
| Dec 16, 1994 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 85-80 | |
| Dec 17, 1994 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 97-89 | |
| Dec 19, 1994 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 77-63 | |
| Dec 21, 1994 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 107-99 | |
| Dec 23, 1994 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 116-92 | |
| Dec 25, 1994 | vs. New York Knicks | W 107-104 | |
| Dec 27, 1994 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 95-92 | |
| Dec 28, 1994 | @ Boston Celtics | W 105-97 | |
| Dec 30, 1994 | vs. Miami Heat | W 133-88 | |
| Jan 04, 1995 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 86-80 | |
| Jan 06, 1995 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-101 | |
| Jan 07, 1995 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 92-78 | |
| Jan 10, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 109-77 | |
| Jan 11, 1995 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-77 | |
| Jan 13, 1995 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 89-79 | |
| Jan 14, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 96-85 | |
| Jan 16, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | L 109-101 | |
| Jan 18, 1995 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 97-93 | |
| Jan 20, 1995 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 93-86 | |
| Jan 22, 1995 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 100-81 | |
| Jan 24, 1995 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 104-102 | |
| Jan 26, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 102-99 | |
| Jan 29, 1995 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 116-94 | |
| Jan 31, 1995 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 119-115 | |
| Feb 02, 1995 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 88-68 | |
| Feb 03, 1995 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-100 | |
| Feb 05, 1995 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 97-93 | |
| Feb 08, 1995 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-103 | |
| Feb 09, 1995 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 126-118 | |
| Feb 15, 1995 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 107-92 | |
| Feb 17, 1995 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 117-102 | |
| Feb 18, 1995 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-111 | |
| Feb 20, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 115-104 | |
| Feb 21, 1995 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 105-88 | |
| Feb 24, 1995 | @ Miami Heat | L 91-83 | |
| Feb 26, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 105-103 | |
| Feb 27, 1995 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 108-86 | |
| Mar 01, 1995 | vs. Miami Heat | W 111-85 | |
| Mar 02, 1995 | @ New York Knicks | L 93-89 | |
| Mar 04, 1995 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-94 | |
| Mar 06, 1995 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 103-83 | |
| Mar 10, 1995 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-76 | |
| Mar 11, 1995 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-105 | |
| Mar 14, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-93 | |
| Mar 15, 1995 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-86 | |
| Mar 17, 1995 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 87-86 | |
| Mar 19, 1995 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 103-96 | |
| Mar 22, 1995 | @ Boston Celtics | W 124-107 | |
| Mar 24, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 106-99 | |
| Mar 25, 1995 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 99-98 | |
| Mar 28, 1995 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-111 | |
| Mar 30, 1995 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 100-82 | |
| Apr 01, 1995 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-84 | |
| Apr 05, 1995 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 108-101 | |
| Apr 07, 1995 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 97-88 | |
| Apr 09, 1995 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 79-78 | |
| Apr 11, 1995 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 96-89 | |
| Apr 12, 1995 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 124-113 | |
| Apr 16, 1995 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-90 | |
| Apr 17, 1995 | @ Miami Heat | W 98-93 | |
| Apr 20, 1995 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 120-105 | |
| Apr 22, 1995 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 116-100 | |
| Apr 23, 1995 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-100 |
