New York City is buzzing ahead of game 3 of the NBA Finals Monday night, as the Knicks will play their first home game at the ultimate stage in more than 25 years, and with a 2-0 series lead to boot. Leaning into the moment, will host an early release for a Nike Kobe sneaker tied to Jalen Brunson.
The Jalen Brunson x Nike Kobe 5 Protro “NY vs NY” will drop Monday through a mobile launch hitting four boroughs in New York City. Made for the annual high school street ball tournament that gives it its name, the sneaker was previously worn by Brunson during game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, in which the Knicks overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime. The star guard led the charge with a 38-point performance including the basket that sent the game into overtime with 19 seconds remaining.
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While formal storytelling has yet to commence for this edition of the Nike Kobe 5 Protro, it appears to be made to invoke both the Statue of Liberty and the Knicks. The bulk of the shoe is rendered in the same shade of green as the oxidized copper, and splotches of blue and orange come via paneling and beneath the translucent blue outsole.
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The Statue of Liberty previously took top billing for the first release of a Jalen Brunson-player-exclusive colorway, as his Kobe 6 Protro released in December with a green and copper treatment.
The Jalen Brunson x Nike Kobe 5 Protro “NY vs NY” will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a truck hits Foot Locker stores in Manhattan (272 W. 125th St.), The Bronx (263 E. Fordham Rd.), Queens (164-14 Jamaica Ave.) and Brooklyn (408 Fulton St.). Exact timing for each stop has not been announced.
Jalen Brunson Nike Kobe 5 NY vs NY
Jalen Brunson x Nike Kobe 5 Protro “NY vs NY.” Getty Images