Jordan Becomes the Seventh All-Time Scorer

Michael Jordan became the No. 7 scorer in NBA history, getting 31 points Monday night at Chicago in leading the Bulls to a 108-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jordan has 26,277 points--19 more than San Antonio’s Dominique Wilkins, who is injured.

Averaging 30.8 points as he guns for an unprecedented ninth scoring title, Jordan is on pace to break into the top five by season’s end. He is 118 points behind John Havlicek and 433 behind Oscar Robertson.

“I feel old. I feel like gradually . . . some of the things I’ve done over the years are starting to add up,” said Jordan, who turned 34 last month. “It’s another accolade I feel proud about. I haven’t focused in on it yet.

“The scary part about it is: What happens if I hadn’t retired for a year and a half and hadn’t been hurt in my second year?”

Jordan, whose career scoring average of 31.9 is the league’s best, almost certainly would be ahead of Havlicek and Robertson--as well as Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone--had he not missed nearly two seasons before coming out of retirement in March 1995.

“It’s been a pleasure since Michael’s come back,” Chicago Coach Phil Jackson said. “He’s made it again a joy to watch an artist in his work. You’re not surprised at the incredible amount of scoring Michael does.”

While Jordan dominated Monday’s first half with 24 points, Scottie Pippen scored 21 of his 25 points in the third quarter as the Bulls pulled away.

Glenn Robinson had 23 points for the Bucks, whose season-high losing streak reached six games.

Boston 107, Toronto 103--The Celtics avoided a team-record-breaking 14th consecutive loss with the victory at Toronto.

Reserve Todd Day scored 27 points to lead the Celtics, who won for the first time since Feb. 3, when they beat Toronto on the road. Boston’s 13 consecutive losses tied the team record set in 1994.

The Celtics improved to 12-46 this season, but are still on pace to break their record for losses in a season with 53. Boston also has the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Sacramento 108, New Jersey 95--Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and the Kings won at Sacramento.

Leading, 55-44, at halftime, the Kings quickly extended the lead early in the third quarter. Abdul-Rauf connected on three three-point shots and had 11 points as Sacramento built a 70-48 lead.

Mitch Richmond scored 19 points for Sacramento and reserve Corliss Williamson had 17.

Sam Cassell led the Nets with 24 points. Kendall Gill and Kittles each had 20 points.

Utah 111, Golden State 104--Karl Malone matched his season high with 41 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, as the Jazz held off the Warriors at San Jose.

The Jazz led by 17 points late in the third quarter before the Warriors scored on seven of its first eight possessions of the fourth quarter and whittled the lead to 10.

Mark Price’s three-point shot with 2:00 left cut it to 103-97, but Malone’s layup finished the rally.

Chris Mullin led the Warriors with 28 points.