The Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” (Style Code: CT8013-002) is dominance in a high-top sneaker. Its black and red Chicago Bulls colorway represents aggression, precision, and performance—the recipe for grit and greatness. Of all Tinker Hatfield’s Air Jordan creations, the AJ12 might be the most commanding, and it proved it during one of the NBA’s biggest moments. The “Flu Game” Jordan 12 doesn’t try to be subtle. It forces you to stare at its premium materials and next-level color blocking. These kicks are nothing short of legendary. Let’s get into it.
Category |
Details |
Model |
Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” |
Style Code |
CT8013-002 |
Colorway |
Black / Varsity Red |
Release Date |
March 1, 2025 |
Retail Price |
$210 |
Designer |
Tinker Hatfield |
Where to Buy Now |
Shoe Palace, Flight Club, GOAT, StockX |
June 11, 1997 was the night the tank-built black and red Jordan 12 became a legend. Michael Jordan was battling flu-like symptoms before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, which felt like devastating news for Bulls fans with the series tied 2-2 against the Utah Jazz. The stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Watching Jordan during warmups didn’t inspire much confidence either. His body language looked drained, sluggish, and exhausted—but looks were deceiving. MJ willed himself to 38 points and carried the Bulls to a dramatic two-point victory that ripped momentum away from Utah and fueled Chicago toward another championship.
That epic performance transformed the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” from a sneaker into a symbol of grit, determination, and basketball history itself.
Even without the legendary NBA Finals performance behind it, the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” would still rank among the greatest signature sneakers ever created. That iconic game against the Utah Jazz elevated the sneaker’s legacy, but make no mistake—the design was already elite.
Black tumbled leather paired with Varsity Red mudguards dominates the upper on the “Flu Game” 12s. Red branding details and aggressive color blocking bring heavy Chicago Bulls energy, wrapping the sneaker in championship-era nostalgia. Meanwhile, the black interior lining tones things down just enough to make the pair more wearable.
Air Jordan 12 "Flu Game" 2025 Retro
— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) January 6, 2025
DETAILED LOOK
Quality on these look GOOD... pic.twitter.com/XCLKK8w8YB
Despite its last retro releasing more than a year ago, pairs are still available if you know where to look.
Shoe Palace restocked the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” earlier today, click here to see if they have your size available. If they don't, the resale market is still your safest bet. Below are some of the best places to find the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” right now:
Between those three platforms, resale prices for the Air Jordan 12 Flu Game” currently range between roughly $246 and $468 depending on size and condition. StockX currently has some pairs sitting closest to retail around the $218 range, making it one of the better value plays if you’re looking to buy now.
If you’ve made it this far, my answer is yes. The Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” is more than a fashion statement or something you throw on with a Bulls jersey and hoodie. Like the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” and the “Bred” Jordan 4s before it, this sneaker represents a cultural benchmark tied directly to basketball history.
Even as someone who’s naturally frugal, if I didn’t already own a pair, I’d probably be logging into GOAT right now to secure mine. I might have to use Klarna, but I’d still get them.
The real question is: are you copping or not?
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