The iconic sneakers worn by basketball legend Kobe Bryant during a game in 2013 in which he tore his Achilles tendon have been sold at auction for an impressive $660,000 (£532,000). This significant moment took place while Bryant was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the severe injury, Bryant demonstrated his incredible determination by staying in the game and managing to score two crucial free throws.
Describing the significance of the event, auction house Sotheby’s stated, “There is no moment in Kobe’s career more emblematic of the ‘Mamba Mentality’ than ‘The Achilles Game’.” This game highlighted Bryant’s unwavering resilience and dedication to the sport he loved.
Tragically, Kobe Bryant passed away at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in January 2020, alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other individuals in Calabasas, California. The Nike Kobe 8 Elite sneakers that were auctioned were expected to fetch a price ranging between $600,000 and $800,000.
The game on April 12, 2013, started off on a painful note for Bryant, who was 34 at the time. He experienced a knee injury early in the second half, causing him to struggle with mobility on the court. Despite these challenges, Bryant continued to play until he suffered the devastating Achilles tear with only three minutes left in the game.
Reflecting on that moment, Bryant remarked, “As soon as I made the move, I knew it. It feels like the shock absorbers in the back of your foot are just gone.” Remarkably, Bryant returned to the court after a brief moment on the bench and successfully made two free throws, solidifying his place in basketball history.
Following the game, Bryant sought treatment and ended with an impressive 34 points, leading his team to a narrow victory over the Golden State Warriors with a score of 118-116. Sotheby’s had predicted the auctioned sneakers’ value to fall between $600,000 and $800,000.
Since Kobe Bryant’s untimely death, several of his personal items have fetched high prices at auctions. In June 2024, his jersey from the same 2013 game was sold for a staggering $1.2 million (£967,000). Additionally, in 2023, a jersey autographed and worn by Bryant during his MVP season in 2007-2008 sold for over $5.8 million (£4.6 million), making it one of the most expensive basketball jerseys ever sold, according to ESPN.
