If you had to choose one of Kobe Bryant’s most iconic moments, his Achilles Game easily comes in the top 3. No fan of the 5x NBA champ would ever forget what he did in a 2013 game against the Golden State Warriors despite tearing his Achilles tendon. While not everyone was lucky enough to witness the moment in person, Sotheby’s is set to provide the feel of the moment to the fans.

The auction house is giving fans the chance to see the game-worn sneakers from that historic night up close. Describing the exhibition as a celebration of unparalleled achievements, Sotheby’s invited fans on Instagram with a simple but thrilling message.

“Come see Kobe’s game-worn sneakers from that legendary night from 1-6 February during The One public exhibition at #SothebysNewYork,” read the caption of the Instagram post shared by Sotheby’s. Imagine standing before the very shoes that carried Kobe Bryant through one of his most courageous moments.

After the exhibition ends on February 6, the Nike Kobe 8 Elite Lakers Home sneakers will be up for auction. The estimates have placed their value between $600,000 and $800,000. According to People, Sotheby’s had announced on January 22 that the sneakers, worn during the iconic April 12, 2013 game, would headline their The One sale in New York starting February 7.

The head of modern collectibles at the auction house, Brahm Wachter, perfectly captured the essence of this moment, calling it the ultimate display of Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality.

Playing against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the Black Mamba had torn his Achilles in the fourth quarter. He, however, refused to leave the court before hitting two crucial free throws to tie the game. The Los Angeles Lakers clinched a 118-116 victory, but the night belonged to Kobe’s resilience.

Kobe Bryant doubted his comeback after the Achilles Game

The Achilles Game is a moment that’s hard to forget. And no, it wasn’t just about the injury; it was about the raw, unfiltered emotions that followed. And who could blame him? When the Lakers legend took to Facebook after rupturing his Achilles tendon, he let the world in on his pain, frustration, and doubts.

“All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times,” he wrote, frustration evident at risking something he had worked his whole life for.“The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense.”

His vulnerability was palpable as he questioned how he could possibly come back at 35 and be the same player. For a fleeting moment, he wondered, “Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…” But if you know anything about Kobe Bryant, you know he wasn’t built to surrender.

The Lakers legend, after expressing relief in venting, shared a favorite quote of his. “‘If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear'”. And true to that spirit, Bryant didn’t just return, he played two more seasons before retiring in 2016. Now that’s a legacy worth remembering and witnessing once again even if it’s with memorabilia.