The Wizards clung tightly to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference as they entered the final week of the regular season.
That week, they needed to win three out of four games to secure a playoff berth.
Rumors of Jordan's possible comeback were growing more intense.
In response, the Wizards held a press conference, where head coach Doug Collins was tasked with addressing the external doubts.
"Is there any news about Michael?"
Collins' trembling head shook slightly, his voice rose a bit, not out of anger or unpleasantness, but it was enough to make one feel uneasy, and it quivered.