“I was injured”: Scottie Pippen Explains Absence from Michael Jordan’s Space Jam

Michael Jordan led the Looney Tunes against the MonStars in the 1996 smash hit, Space Jam. The film had a very big and noticeable absence though. Scottie Pippen, Jordan’s real-life on-court sidekick was missing from the roster of legends that starred in the film.

Pippen would have a straightforward explanation when asked about it years later. The Bulls legend revealed that the filming was during the postseason and he was injured at the time.

Michael Jordan against the MonStars

Space Jam is one of the few sports movies that have left an indelible mark on the basketball culture as a whole. The film would gross a staggering $250 million worldwide. A figure that makes it the highest-grossing basketball film of all time.

Its impact is not just numbers, it remains a widely loved and referenced movie. The 2021 sequel starring LeBron failed to reproduce the magic and sank without a trace.

In the film, Michael Jordan helps the Looney Tunes defeat the MonStars in order to help five NBA professionals regain their talent. In the final game, MJ scores a buzzer-beating dunk to seal the game.

The evil MonStars are defeated and Jordan decides to return to basketball. The film’s cast included all-time greats like Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing.

Also Read: “Michael Jordan was way cooler than LeBron James in Space Jam”: Skip Bayless explains why Space Jam 2 isn’t nearly as entertaining as its prequel

Scottie Pippen was mysteriously absent from Space Jam

There was a huge name missing, his teammate, Scottie Pippen. Pippen’s absence stood out starkly. When one talks about Michael Jordan, one must talk about Scottie Pippen as well. Pippen was Jordan’s shadow in the three-peat-winning Bulls teams. Without Scottie, it’s hard to think of the Bulls being that dominant.

The Jordan-Pippen duo was iconic. Thus, when the film was released, Pippen’s absence mystified people. Years on, the mystery would be cleared. Pippen would put the matter at rest by telling TMZ that he had been injured at the time.

When the film was shot, it was the off-season, and the 6-time champion was busy recovering. Like most controversies, the truth turned out to be fairly pedestrian. There was no secret ego clash or ill will.

While Pippen has courted controversy after retirement with his claims of being overlooked, in this matter there was no such subtext. Jordan starred as a lone hero in Space Jam. For a fantasy film, it makes sense. In real life though, Jordan needed Pippen.

Also Read: “Scottie Pippen Was The Dream Team’s MVP”: Former Wizards All-Star Once Put Bulls Legend Over Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, & Larry Bird