"The Shot Heard Round the World": The Miracle of Game 5 in the 1997 NBA Finals

The 1997 NBA Finals was a battle between two powerhouse teams - the Western Conference champion Utah Jazz and the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls. The series was tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5, which was played on June 11, 1997 in Salt Lake City. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads and baskets in the final minutes.

With just 28.2 seconds left in the game and the Bulls trailing by one point, Michael Jordan got the ball at the top of the key, dribbled to his right, and launched a 20-foot jump shot over Jazz guard Bryon Russell. The ball sailed through the air and swished through the net, giving the Bulls a 87-86 lead with 5.2 seconds remaining.

The Jazz had a chance to win the game on their next possession, but John Stockton's three-point attempt rimmed out as time expired. The Bulls won the game and went on to capture their fifth NBA championship in seven years.

Jordan's memorable shot, which has become known as The Shot Heard Round the World, is one of the most iconic moments in basketball history. It not only sealed the victory for the Bulls in Game 5, but also cemented Jordan's legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. The shot encapsulated his clutch performance and sheer will to win, as he rose to the occasion in the most pressure-packed situation and delivered a shot that will be etched in basketball lore forever.