WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- Michael Jordan will play his final home game Monday night when the Washington Wizards host the New York Knicks at the MCI Center.
On Saturday, one day after his team was eliminated from playoff contention, Jordan missed a potential game-winning jumper from just inside the top of the arc with one second remaining as the Wizards fell to Atlanta, 101-100.
Christian Laettner contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Jordan added 17 points for the Wizards, who were playing their second straight game without Jerry Stackhouse (right knee tendinitis).
Jordan concludes his legendary career at Philadelphia on Wednesday.
"It's passed quickly," Jordan told the Washington Post about the last two years. "It doesn't feel like two years, but I know it's coming to an end. It's been a great two years. It's been fun. I'm enjoying what's left of my career. It's going fast, and that's what good things do. They leave fast, and you try to catch up with the memories another day. I'm trying to bring a certain joy to the game and to the fans here (in Washington) the way I play the game even at my age. When I walk off the court, my dedication is to the game. I still have an obligation to take what I've learned and what I've seen over two years, and try to build this franchise in a winning way and to help these fans enjoy the moment."
The Knicks lost at league-worst Cleveland in overtime on Saturday, 104-99, after blowing a 15-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Kurt Thomas scored 23 points and Shandon Anderson added a season-high 21 for the Knicks, who went more than 11 minutes without a basket late in regulation and most of overtime.
The Wizards won the first two meetings between the teams, including a 100-97 triumph at MCI on Dec. 7. The Knicks won the most recent meeting, 97-96, on March 9.
