An anonymous collector has paid a chilling $63,000 to get the New York Knicks jersey worn by Larry Johnson in Game 3 of the 1999 Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
On that memorable night, Johnson pulled heroically to score an incredible 3+1 that put the Knicks ahead after trailing 91-88 with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation time.
That match ended with a victory for the New Yorkers by 91-92 with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 10 of 18 in field goals for Johnson.
“I’ve been waiting 20 years to get this shirt. I stayed in shock when I finally knew that it had finally come to light, “said the anonymous collector in statements collected by the media NY Daily News.
“The cultural significance of this jersey to New York City and its fans cannot be explained in words. Owning this shirt is something I have dreamed of since my childhood. We have never seen the Garden blow up like it did that night on June 5, 1999. It gives me chills just thinking about it,” he noted.
Those 1998-98 Knicks, one of the last glorious teams that have passed through New York, were led by Jeff Van Gundy, and after finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-23 (Lockout season), they would play the Finals of the NBA against the San Antonio Spurs, losing by a clear 4-1.
(Portrait photo: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport)
