The Nike Kobe 8 Elite sneakers worn by Late Kobe Bryant during his famous “Achilles Game” in 2013 have been sold at auction for $660,000 (£532,000) at Sotheby’s.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend tore his Achilles tendon during an April 12, 2013, game against the Golden State Warriors, yet famously stayed on the court to sink two crucial free throws before leaving for treatment.
“There is no moment in Kobe’s career more emblematic of the ‘Mamba Mentality’ than ‘The Achilles Game,” Sotheby’s stated in the auction description.
Kobe on the floor after getting injured. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
An Iconic Moment in Bryant’s Career
Bryant, 34 at the time, had already hyperextended his knee in the second half before suffering the Achilles tear with three minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Despite the devastating injury, he remained composed and successfully made his two free throws, helping the Lakers secure a 118-116 victory over the Steph Curry-led Warriors.
“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,” Bryant recalled at the time.
Kobe Bryant Memorabilia Continues to Command High Prices
Kobe’s Iconic Achilles Injury Sneakers.
Sotheby’s initially estimated the sneakers would sell for between $600,000 and $800,000. Other Bryant memorabilia have also fetched impressive sums at auction:
June 2024: The jersey from the same 2013 game sold for $1.2 million (£967,000).
2023: A signed jersey from Bryant’s 2007–08 MVP season sold for $5.8 million (£4.6 million), making it the second-most expensive basketball jersey ever sold.
Legacy of Kobe Bryant
The Basketball Hall of Famer tragically passed away at age 41 in a helicopter crash in January 2020 in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” continues to inspire athletes worldwide, and his memorabilia remains highly sought after, reflecting his lasting impact on basketball history.
