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Michael Jordan terrorized several NBA franchises over the course of his illustrious career, but his accomplishments and moments against the New York Knicks – in Madison Square Garden especially – might be unmatched. There's the double-nickel during his comeback season and the 40-ball he put on the Knicks in 1988. In fact, that's the game the Air Jordan 3 'Knicks' pays homage to on its 04.08.88 tag in the tongue.

This game was at home and the Bulls won 131-122. On the same day, MJ signed what was then a landmark eight-year, $28 million extension.

Wow, how times have changed. Let's talk sneakers.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail Info

Sneaker

Air Jordan 3 'Knicks' (Knicks Rivals)

Original Release

September 14, 2019

Original Retail

$190

Style Code

136064-148

Colorway

White/Old Royal-University Orange-Tech Grey

Designer

Tinker Hatfield

Tongue Tag

04.08.88 (MJ's 40-point MSG game)

Where Can You Buy the Air Jordan 3 'Knicks'?

The 'Knicks' AJ3 originally dropped on September 14, 2019 at $190 through Nike SNKRS, so the resale market is the only path now. GOAT lists verified pairs with size-dependent pricing.

StockX, Flight Club, eBay, and Stadium Goods are reliable verified options too. Common sizes (9-11) tend to trade closer to the $190 retail anchor, while harder-to-find sizes climb higher. Worn pairs on Poshmark sit well below retail if you don't mind some wear.

What Makes This Retro Stand Out?

The 04.08.88 tongue tag is the centerpiece. It commemorates Michael Jordan's 40-point performance against Patrick Ewing's Knicks at Madison Square Garden, paired with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 8 steals in a 131-122 Bulls win. Ewing dropped 42 in the same game, which is part of what makes the night feel like a true Bulls-Knicks classic.

The build itself sits on a white tumbled-leather upper with Tech Grey elephant print wrapping the toe, heel, and tongue, with Old Royal and University Orange accents on the midsole, sockliner, eyelets, and branding. It's the rare AJ3 that flips the typical Bulls-centric color story and dresses the silhouette in a rival's palette without ever losing the MJ thread.

Why Does It Still Matter?

The 'Knicks' AJ3 is part of a long lineage of storytelling Air Jordan colorways that tie directly to specific games or rivalries. It plays in the same lane as the Air Jordan 10 'Chicago', which references the 55-point comeback game also at MSG, and the Air Jordan 13 'Bred' tied to the 1997 Finals.

For Knicks fans, this is one of the few officially Knicks-coded Jordans in existence that doesn't carry an NY logo, making it wearable for MSG trips, Knicks games, or general NYC fits. For Bulls fans, the 04.08.88 tag is a permanent reminder that MJ owned the building. With the upcoming Air Jordan 8 'Knicks' dropping December 24, 2026, this AJ3 is a logical companion piece for collectors building a Knicks-tribute rotation.

Should You Buy the Air Jordan 3 'Knicks' (2019)?

If you're a Knicks fan, an AJ3 collector, or a sneakerhead who values storytelling colorways tied to specific games, this is a no-brainer cop. The white-based upper makes it more wearable than the louder Knicks-coded options on the silhouette, and the 04.08.88 tag adds a level of detail most modern releases skip entirely.

For collectors weighing this against other rivalry-coded MJ pieces, the 'Knicks' AJ3 sits in a unique lane. Few sneakers manage to celebrate both sides of a rivalry the way this one does — and at near-retail or below on the secondary market, it's an accessible entry into one of the most decorated AJ3 storylines

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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