When Was the Last Time the Chicago Bulls Won a Championship? – The Chicago Bulls last won an NBA championship on June 14, 1998, when they defeated the Utah Jazz 87-86 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan’s iconic game-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds left sealed the victory and gave the Bulls their sixth title in eight seasons.
This remains the franchise’s most recent championship as of June 2026 — marking 28 years without another title.
When Did the Chicago Bulls Last Win the NBA Championship?
The answer is straightforward: June 14, 1998.
On that date at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the Bulls completed a 4-2 series victory over the Utah Jazz. The win capped a remarkable second three-peat (1996–1998) and marked the end of the Michael Jordan-led dynasty. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the sixth time in his career.
No Chicago Bulls team has reached the NBA Finals or won a championship since that night.
Game 6 Heroics: Michael Jordan’s Iconic “Last Shot”
With the series tied 3-2 and the Bulls leading 3-2 in games, Game 6 was a classic. The score was 86-85 in favor of the Jazz with 18.9 seconds remaining when Jordan made one of the most famous defensive plays in NBA history.
Jordan stripped the ball from Karl Malone in the post, dribbled up the floor, executed a crossover dribble against Bryon Russell, and hit a 20-foot jumper to give the Bulls an 87-86 lead with 5.2 seconds left. The Jazz could not score on the final possession.
That shot — often called “The Last Shot” — became an enduring symbol of Jordan’s greatness and the Bulls’ dominance. It denied Hall of Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton a championship ring.
Chicago Bulls NBA Championship History: All Six Titles
The Bulls have won exactly six NBA championships, all between 1991 and 1998. They are one of only a handful of franchises to win multiple titles without ever losing a Finals series.
Here is the complete championship timeline:
| Year | Opponent | Result | Finals MVP | Regular Season Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4-1 | Michael Jordan | 61-21 |
| 1992 | Portland Trail Blazers | 4-2 | Michael Jordan | 67-15 |
| 1993 | Phoenix Suns | 4-2 | Michael Jordan | 57-25 |
| 1996 | Seattle SuperSonics | 4-2 | Michael Jordan | 72-10 |
| 1997 | Utah Jazz | 4-2 | Michael Jordan | 69-13 |
| 1998 | Utah Jazz | 4-2 | Michael Jordan | 62-20 |
The team achieved two separate three-peats under coach Phil Jackson, with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and (in the second run) Dennis Rodman leading the way.
The 1990s Bulls Dynasty: Unmatched Dominance
Between 1991 and 1998, the Bulls won six titles in eight years — a feat matched by few teams in any major American sport. They combined elite defense, versatile offense, and mental toughness.
Standout regular-season achievements included the 72-10 record in 1995-96 (an NBA record at the time) and three straight 60-win seasons from 1996 to 1998. Phil Jackson’s triangle offense and the defensive versatility of Jordan and Pippen made the team nearly impossible to beat in the playoffs.
The 1998 championship run was particularly dramatic. The Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets, defeated the Charlotte Hornets, and outlasted the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game Eastern Conference Finals before facing the Jazz again in the Finals.
Key Players and Coaching Staff Behind the 1998 Title
The 1997-98 Bulls roster featured a perfect mix of superstar talent, veteran role players, and defensive specialists:
- Michael Jordan — Finals MVP, league MVP, and the undisputed leader
- Scottie Pippen — Elite two-way forward and defensive anchor
- Dennis Rodman — Rebounding and defensive menace
- Ron Harper, Toni Kukoč, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley — Key contributors who provided spacing, shooting, and depth
- Phil Jackson — Masterful coach who won his sixth title with the Bulls
This group defeated a tough Jazz team featuring MVP Karl Malone and future Hall of Famer John Stockton in a hard-fought six-game series.
What Happened to the Chicago Bulls After 1998?
Jordan retired after the 1998 title (he later played for the Washington Wizards). The Bulls entered a long rebuilding period. They missed the playoffs for several seasons and have not returned to the NBA Finals since.
As of the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, the Bulls finished with a 31-51 record and placed 12th in the Eastern Conference. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase centered on young talent such as Matas Buzelis, with significant draft capital and a new head coach, Tiago Splitter, recently hired following a front-office overhaul.
The franchise continues to honor its championship legacy while developing the next generation of players.
The Last Dance Documentary and Renewed Global Interest
The 2020 ESPN/Netflix documentary series The Last Dance brought massive renewed attention to the 1997-98 season and the entire Jordan-era Bulls dynasty. The 10-part series chronicled the team’s final championship run and remains one of the most-watched sports documentaries ever produced.
It introduced the 1998 title story to a new generation of fans and reinforced why that group is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
How the 1998 Bulls Compare to Modern NBA Teams?
The 1998 Bulls played in a very different era — before widespread superteam formations, the current salary cap rules, and the three-point revolution that defines today’s game. Their physical, defense-first style and ability to win close games in hostile environments set them apart.
Modern contenders often rely on spacing and pace, while the Bulls of the late ’90s thrived on mid-range mastery, post play, and elite individual defense from multiple players. Few teams since have replicated their combination of regular-season dominance and playoff mental toughness.
Reliving the Glory: Best Ways for Fans to Experience Bulls Championship History
American sports fans can still immerse themselves in the 1998 championship through several trusted channels:
- Official NBA.com highlight videos and full game recaps of the 1998 Finals
- The Last Dance documentary series (available on major streaming platforms)
- Basketball-Reference.com for complete box scores, advanced stats, and historical context
- Chicago Bulls official team site for archival content and merchandise celebrating the six titles
Many fans also collect vintage jerseys, championship memorabilia, and watch annual anniversary tributes on June 14.
Chicago Bulls Fan Legacy and What Another Title Would Mean
For fans across the United States — especially in Chicago and the Midwest — the 1991–1998 era represents a golden age of basketball. The six championships created lifelong loyalty and a standard of excellence that current players and front-office personnel still reference.
A new championship would mean more than just another banner; it would validate years of rebuilding and reconnect the franchise with its championship pedigree in a new era of NBA basketball.
Resources and Further Reading on Bulls Championships
Here are trusted, up-to-date sources for deeper research:
- Official NBA.com – Chicago Bulls NBA Championships History
- Basketball-Reference – 1998 NBA Finals Bulls vs. Jazz (Full Stats & Box Scores)
- NBA.com – Michael Jordan’s Iconic Game-Winning Shot (1998 Finals)
- Basketball-Reference – Chicago Bulls Historical Statistics and Championship Data
- Official Chicago Bulls Website – Current Roster, News & History
- NBA.com Bulls History Archive (Franchise Overview)
- ESPN – Chicago Bulls Latest News, Standings & Analysis
These sources provide verified statistics, official recaps, and historical context directly from the league and leading basketball data sites.
The 1998 championship remains one of the most celebrated moments in American sports history. While the Bulls have not added to their trophy case since, the legacy of Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Jackson, and that unforgettable Game 6 shot continues to inspire fans across the country.