Kobe Bryant's Game-Worn Lakers Jersey from 2009 NBA Finals Sells for $915K at Auction
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVMarch 3, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 3 of the 2009 NBA Finals to the Orlando Magic, but that didn't stop someone from purchasing Kobe Bryant's game-worn jersey for more than $900,000.
Bryant's purple away jersey sold for $915,000 via Goldin Auctions:
Goldin Auctions explained the jersey "jersey features all numbering and lettering in tackle twill and is adorned with an NBA Logoman patch on the upper left chest, plus an NBA Finals Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy patch on the upper right chest."
It also "comes with an LOA from MeiGray (AM010669), who have conclusively photo-matched the jersey to Game 3 of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic on Jun. 9."
Even in defeat, Bryant was impressive in that contest with 31 points and eight assists on 11-of-25 shooting from the field. It was the only game the Lakers lost during that NBA Finals, which was their first of back-to-back championships after losing the 2008 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics.
Los Angeles defeated the Celtics in a rematch in the 2010 NBA Finals.
As for the series with the Magic, Bryant ended up taking home the NBA Finals MVP. The five-time champion won two NBA Finals MVPs during his legendary career and ended up averaging 32.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in the victory over Orlando.
