ADDENDUM: MJ's 2nd half shoes from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.2 million in April 2023. He wore this offered pair in the 1st half and changed at halftime. This is well-documented.

Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" season concluded in true MJ fashion, finding himself in the 1998 NBA Finals facing a hungry Utah Jazz team led by John Stockton and Karl Malone. The Bulls found themselves trailing the series after Game 1 against a loud and energetic Utah crowd. On June 5th, 1998, Michael knew a masterpiece performance was needed in order to head back to Chicago with a 1-1 tie rather than the dreaded 0-2 deficit, especially in the Finals. This wouldn't be the first time Jordan rose to the occasion, and he delivered, recording a game-high 37 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, as well as a block and a steal. The Bulls won game two in a physical battle, 93-88. 

Presented in this lot are the game-worn 'Air Jordan XIII' shoes that Jordan wore during the first half of Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals and likely beforehand in Game 3 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals according to the detailed provenance. The black uppers feature a variety of materials overlayed, including black tumbled leather with black suede. The Air Jordan Jumpman logo is located near the heel and on the tongue of each shoe, and the player's name "JORDAN" is displayed at the base of the laces in white. The shoes' midsoles are a combination of black suede and rubber, and the outsoles are red, black, and white rubber with the Jumpman logo displayed near the center. The sneakers match in terms of style, colors, and design. A size 13.5 manufacturer tag is located on the inside of each shoe with a manufacturing date range showing May-July 1998, which aligns perfectly for both playoff games. Overall, the shoes show definitive signs of game use and remain in excellent condition.

Authentication & Provenance 

These MJ '98 playoff gamers have been sourced from Jeff Schultz, the Senior Manager of Community Relations at the Chicago Bulls from 2002-2014 who handled all items that entered Bulls Charity Auctions during that time. Several historically significant Jordan and Bulls items from their '90s dynasty have come from the Bulls chariity, "CharitaBulls", as well as Schultz's personal collection. He signed a 2006 CharitaBulls letter as well as a later letter saying this pair was "without a doubt worn by Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA playoffs and very likely Game 2 (first half) of the 1998 NBA Finals." Sports Investors Authentication has provided a letter of authenticity documenting the style match and game use; however, SIA was unable to conclusively photo-match the shoes to either game due to the pair's dark black colorway combined with the graininess of the media photos available. It should be noted that MJ's 2nd half shoes from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, which were photo-matched, sold for $2.2 million in April 2023.