Jordan Delivers One for the Ages

Michael Jordan didn’t slow down at age 40. He hit another gear.

Four days after turning 40, Jordan scored 43 points in 43 minutes -- becoming the first 40-year-old in NBA history to score 40 or more. He also found a sudden burst of speed to make the game-winning layup as the Washington Wizards beat the New Jersey Nets, 89-86, Friday night at Washington.

“I told the guys, I’ve got 28 games left; I’m going down with no bullets,” Jordan said. “I’m going all out. It’s the end of my career, and I don’t want to see it end in a negative way. I want to see it end positive. I want to have fun.”

Jordan was already the oldest player in NBA history to score 40, and he bettered that by making 18 of 30 shots and seven of eight free throws. He also had 10 rebounds, four steals and made the hustle move of the night, sprawling on the floor to save the ball after making a steal in the first quarter.

Then came his driving layup with 34 seconds to play. The Nets tried to collapse around him, but Jordan accelerated past everyone and made the shot that put the Wizards ahead, 87-86.

“He went by us sometimes so quick that we didn’t even have a chance to help,” New Jersey Coach Byron Scott said.

Seattle 88, Milwaukee 58 -- Brent Barry, replacing the departed Gary Payton at point guard, had a career-high 16 assists to go with 16 points as the SuperSonics won at Seattle, holding the Bucks to their lowest point total in franchise history.

Playing their first game since making the five-player trade that sent Payton to Milwaukee in exchange for Ray Allen, the Sonics had only eight players available.

Seattle’s eight overwhelmed the Bucks, who hope the additions of Payton and Desmond Mason can get them deep into the playoffs.

All five players from Thursday’s trade, Payton and Mason for Milwaukee and Allen, Kevin Ollie and Ronald Murray of Seattle, sat out the game.

Golden State 111, New York 107 -- Antawn Jamison scored 31 points and made the go-ahead shot with 55 seconds left, and Gilbert Arenas scored all 14 of his points in the last 6 1/2 minutes to lead the Warriors at Oakland.

Troy Murphy had 17 points and 14 rebounds as the Warriors made a stirring fourth-quarter rally to end their three-game losing streak. With spectacular last-minute shots by Jamison and Arenas, Golden State beat the Knicks in Oakland for the first time since Nov. 17, 1994.

Minnesota 103, Detroit 96 -- Kevin Garnett had 34 points and 16 rebounds at Minneapolis and the Timberwolves set a franchise record with their 13th consecutive home victory.

Consecutive three-pointers by Jon Barry made it 89-83, and Chauncey Billups scored seven consecutive points to pull the Pistons to 95-94 with 1:37 left. Troy Hudson answered with a long jumper and a three-pointer to give Minnesota a 100-94 lead with 48 seconds left.

Philadelphia 119, Cleveland 99 -- Allen Iverson matched a season-high with 41 points at Cleveland and the 76ers rolled to their fifth straight victory.

Keith Van Horn scored 22 points, including 13 in the first quarter when Philadelphia opened a 20-point lead. Eric Snow had 20 for the 76ers.

Toronto 92, Phoenix 89 -- Antonio Davis had 22 points to lead the Raptors at Toronto.