Growing up in Chicago, summertime had a rhythm to it. School was out, the city felt lighter, and the Bulls were still playing.
That meant the NBA Finals, and more often than not, it meant Michael Jordan closing something out. What he wore during those moments wasn't just part of the game — it became part of the memory.
MJ wore eight colorways across his six Finals appearances, sometimes switching mid-series. Here's the full breakdown — Finals year, what sneakers he wore, and where to find them now.
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1991 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 6 'Black Infrared'
MJ's first championship. First ring. The shoe on his feet when he finally got past the Detroit Pistons and beat the Lakers in five games. The black nubuck upper with infrared accents on the midsole is still one of the cleanest executions in the entire Jordan line. The most recent retro dropped in 2019 with OG "Nike Air" branding on the heel. Find it on StockX and GOAT.
1992 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 7 'Black/True Red' (Raptors)
Back-to-back. MJ wore the black and true red AJ7 to beat the Portland Trail Blazers and earn ring number two. No Nike branding anywhere on the shoe — Huarache technology, bold geometry, and championship DNA. Find the most recent retro on GOAT.
1993 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 8 'Playoffs'
Three-peat. The most strapped-up Jordan in the line closed out the Phoenix Suns. The black and true red "Playoffs" colorway is the only version MJ ever wore on court during a Finals series — which is why it carries its name. Find the most recent retro on StockX.
1996 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 11 'Bred'
After his first retirement and return, MJ wore the "Concord" 11 all regular season — then switched to the "Bred" for the Finals against the Sonics. Black patent leather, Varsity Red accents, and a 72-10 season to back it up. Ring four. Find the most recent retro on StockX.
1997 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 12 'Flu Game'
Game 5. 38 points. 103-degree temperature. An IV drip before tip-off. MJ wore the black and varsity red AJ12 through one of the most legendary performances in Finals history and the colorway has carried that moment ever since. Find the 2025 retro on StockX and GOAT.
1997 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 12 'Taxi' (Clincher)
Same series, different shoe for the clinching game. MJ won championship number five in the white and black "Taxi" — the colorway that eventually became the "Royalty Taxi" when Jordan Brand loaded it up with gold in 2021. Find the 2025 "Taxi" retro on StockX.
1998 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 13 'Bred'
The Last Dance started in the 13s. MJ wore the black and true red AJ13 through the majority of the 1998 Finals series against the Utah Jazz — the same shoe Spike Lee put in "He Got Game" that same year. Find the most recent retro on GOAT.
1998 NBA Finals — Air Jordan 14 'Last Shot' (Clincher)
MJ wasn't supposed to wear the 14 prototype. He wore it anyway. Game 6, the pull-up over Bryon Russell, the celebration, the sixth ring — all of it happened in the "Last Shot" 14. The Ferrari-inspired silhouette earned its name on that court in Salt Lake City, and it's never let go of it. Find the most recent retro on StockX.
Those memories don't go away. Neither do the shoes. Every colorway on this list is still out there if you're willing to look.
