Larry Johnson's four-point play Knicks jersey gets auctioned off 23 years after famous shot

It was 23 years ago today that Larry Johnson hit one of the most memorable shots in Knicks history. 

His four-point play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals propelled the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals and became one of the franchise’s most iconic moments. Now, more than two decades later, Johnson’s game-worn jersey from that night has surfaced.

A collector purchased Johnson’s game-worn jersey from the four-point play last month for $63,000 at Heritage Auctions. 

“I have been waiting 20 years to own this jersey. I was in shock when I saw it finally surfaced,” the collector, @goatcollect, who directed us to his Twitter handle as reference for the jersey purchase, said.

So how does the auction house and @goatcollect know that their jersey is authentic? It has been photo-matched to high resolution game photos by comparing unique characteristics of the jersey Johnson is wearing in the images to the actual jersey. In fact, the jersey was worn by Johnson in all games played at MSG throughout the 1999 Playoffs, including the 1999 NBA Finals versus the San Antonio Spurs.

If Johnson hit the shot today, it may have made it to auction shortly after the game or the season. But back in 1999, neither Johnson – nor anyone around him – was thinking about the eventual value of the jersey.

Sixty-three thousand may seem like a significant amount of money for game-worn attire, but @goatcollect was happy to pay it.

“The cultural significance of this jersey to the city of New York and Knicks fans across the world cannot be put into words. Owning this jersey was a day I have been waiting for since my childhood. We have never quite seen the Garden erupt like it did on June 5, 1999. I get chills just thinking about it.

“As a collector, I focus on nostalgia and collecting the moment; and this piece is as relevant of an artifact that I can think of as Knicks fan. Now I just need to find Sprewell and Houston’s 1999 Playoff jerseys.”