Michael Jordan's 1993 Game Worn Playoff Air Jordan VIII

Michael Jordan wore this pair of black Nike Air Jordan 8s on April 30, 1993, during Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, when the Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114–90. Jordan delivered an outstanding performance with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. This game marked Jordan's debut of black Air Jordan 8s on court, continuing the Bull's tradition, dating back to 1989, to wear black shoes during the Playoffs to symbolize unity and solidarity and to intimidate opponents. The Bulls went on to win the 1993 NBA Championship—securing their historic first three-peat—after which Jordan stunned the world by retiring from basketball.

These game-worn Air Jordan 8s were originally obtained by John Michael Wozniak, one of Jordan’s longtime bodyguards, who appeared memorably in ESPN’s The Last Dance documentary. Wozniak is best remembered in the documentary for a lighthearted locker room moment captured in the series, when he beat Jordan in a quarter-flipping game. After winning, Wozniak mimicked Jordan’s famous “shrug” that he gave Cliff Robinson after hitting six three pointers in a row against the Portland Trailblazers in the 1992 NBA Finals.

Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 8 is distinguished by its iconic criss-cross straps, designed to lock Jordan’s feet in place. The shoes feature Michael Jordan’s number “23” across the midfoot and “Air Jordan” on the Velcro closures. The shoes display chenille Jumpman logos on circular carpet patches atop the tongues with nubuck uppers, and white mudguards with black and red geometric detailing. Though the midsoles have deteriorated and the outsoles were reglued to the uppers, the size 13 shoes remain visually striking and well-preserved from Jordan’s 1993 postseason campaign. The shoes are accompanied by a card reading “With the Compliments of Michael Jordan” and have been conclusively photomatched by PSA based on the unique pattern on the underside of the tongues and heels. It is exceptionally rare to find a pair of Michael Jordan’s shoes conclusively photomatched to postseason play.

This lot is accompanied by a Photo Match Certificate from PSA.