Michael Jordan joined Mike Tirico on NBA Opening Night to discuss his relationship with the game of basketball and biggest wish.

Michael Jordan, considered by some to be the greatest player in the history of the NBA, made his TV debut with NBC Sports on Tuesday night. The six-time NBA champion, who played for both the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards,

Michael Jordan admits in an NBC interview he still loves basketball and does wish he could be out there on the court playing at his peak.

The great Michael Jordan was reluctant to retire after winning his sixth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. As he put it down, his love for the game remained the same which prompted his epic return in 2001 as a player and executive for the Washington Wizards.

Maybe it was the nostalgia kicking in, but Tuesday felt bigger than usual for the NBA as it returned to NBC for the first time since 2002.

Michael Jordan was brilliant. And it still wasn’t close to enough. On an Opening Night when Luka Doncic scored 43 points (without LeBron James) and new Rocket Kevin Durant took the reigning

NBA on NBC debut reviews: The best and worst reactions to network's 2025-26 opening night, including Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. For the first NBA season since 2001-02, the league has returned to NBC airwaves.