The NBA unveiled new court designs for all 30 teams ahead of the 2026 NBA Cup, the league’s midseason tournament set to begin on October 30. Each franchise will sport a fresh look for the competition, which kicks off with group-stage play before moving to knockout rounds starting December 4.
The tournament will feature six groups of five teams, with every team playing four games in the group stage. The championship game is scheduled for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, a change from previous editions held in Las Vegas. The New York Knicks entered the tournament as defending champions after their 2025 NBA Cup victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a match that also foreshadowed the following NBA Finals.
The NBA released images of all 30 courts via its official Twitter account on October 13. Each design reflects elements tied to the individual franchises but adapts them for the tournament’s branding under the Emirates NBA Cup banner. Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls all revealed their new looks, which fans and analysts have begun dissecting.
The groups are split evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences. East Group A includes the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets. Group B features the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers. East Group C consists of the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards.
On the Western side, Group A will see the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz face off. Group B gathers the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies. Finally, Group C has the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
The NBA’s official Twitter posts shared detailed photos of each team’s court design, highlighting unique visual elements. For example, the Boston Celtics’ court maintains their traditional green but incorporates the NBA Cup logo at center court. The Los Angeles Lakers’ new court features purple and gold accents with a fresh logo placement, while the Golden State Warriors opted for a blue and yellow theme adapted for the tournament’s style.
This marks the first time the NBA Cup final will be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse, known for its historic significance in college basketball. The shift from Las Vegas is notable as the league seeks to establish a distinct identity for its midseason tournament.
The NBA Cup is designed to add competitive intrigue to the regular season, with teams vying for an additional trophy and prize money. The format of group play followed by knockout rounds creates a condensed, high-stakes environment over a month and a half.
The Knicks’ 2025 triumph over the Spurs remains the tournament’s only final to date, but the 2026 edition promises to bring fresh storylines as every team debuts its tournament court and looks to claim the title.
The first games are now less than three weeks away, with fans eager to see how the new courts look in action and which teams can advance from their groups. The NBA’s release of all 30 designs offers a clear visual starting point for the season’s new midseason competition.
According to Yahoo Sports.
