The jersey that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant wore when he tore his left Achilles tendon has been sold at auction.
The Lakers' home jersey from the 2012-13 season, featuring Bryant's autograph on the front number, was sold for $1.2 million last Saturday, June 1, at the 2024 Goldin 100 Auction.
The signed jersey was photo-matched by memorabilia authentication company MeiGray, according to Sportico.
The late shooting guard tore his left Achilles on a drive in the fourth quarter during a home game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013, at the Staples Center.
The gold and purple jersey includes the NBA logo man patch on the left chest and a purple circle patch with the letters "JB" on the right chest, honoring the late Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who passed away that season in February 2013.
Kobe Bryant's Achilles injury
At 34, Bryant was still among the best players in the NBA during the 2012-13 season. However, many believe that the Achilles injury was the tipping point of his career.
After that fateful evening, the five-time NBA champion was never the same, as he regressed into physical decline over the next three seasons.
Bryant's production and efficiency dipped in the following years, and he retired at the end of the 2015-16 season.
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