In the fall of 2001 Michael Jordan came out of retirement for the second time agreeing to suit up for the Washington Wizards in what would be the final chapter of his playing career. After a three-year hiatus this version of Air Jordan 2.0 came with less lift and more weight yet he still averaged over 20 points per game during those final two seasons in the nation's capital. He occasionally showed flashes of the unstoppable MJ from his Bulls tenure. One of these examples came on February 1 2003 when the Wizards hosted the New Orleans Hornets. MJ went off for 45 points on 18-33 from the floor (9-10 at the line) to go along with six assists. Not bad for a guy who would turn 40-years-old two weeks later. Using a steady diet of fade away jumpers fancy-footwork post-ups and interior layups he willed the Wizards to a 109-104 win. It was MJ's highest-scoring game of the 2002-03 season in what was officially his last. Interestingly enough Jordan had torched the Hornets a season earlier for 51 his most as a Wizard.

Presented here are MJ's game-worn Nike Air Jordan XVIII shoes (the last Air Jordan style he would ever wear in a game) from that monster 45-point outburst. They were originally sourced from former Hornets wing Stacey Augmon who drew the unfortunate assignment of guarding Jordan for much of the night. Jordan gifted the pair to Augmon after the game a memento to help him remember getting schooled.

The white with royal blue Air Jordan XVIII leather sneakers come in size 14 exactly as they were issued by Nike and worn by His Airness during the 2002-03 season. The most noticeable features of these Air Jordans in the series are the snap-on covers over the laces and two ventilation slits flanking each ankle. Each shoe has Jordan's autograph below the ankle in black marker dated "2-1-03." Getty images from the game clearly match this style. They show appropriate wear on the interior and outsoles.