NBA Finals 2026: iconic court logos are back
For the 2026 NBA Finals between the Spurs and Knicks, the NBA has decided to bring back the iconic court graphics, answering a request fans have been making for years
The 2026 NBA Finals will feel even more special. After years of fan requests, the league has decided to restore some of the most iconic visual elements associated with the championship series.
With a simple social media post, the NBA confirmed that the famous Larry O’Brien Trophy logo will return to center court during the Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, appearing both at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and Madison Square Garden in New York.
Alongside the trophy, the classic cursive “The Finals” script will also return, positioned along the sidelines of the court.
A return more than a decade in the making
To find the last time the Larry O’Brien Trophy appeared at center court, you have to go back to the 2009 NBA Finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic. The most recent appearance of the “The Finals” logo on the court came even later, during the 2014 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat.
The tradition began in 1989, when the NBA first introduced Finals branding on the court. In 2004, the league combined the script logo with the trophy graphic, and from 2005 through 2009, the Larry O’Brien Trophy became the centerpiece at midcourt.
A fan request finally answered
In recent years, fans have repeatedly criticized the lack of unique Finals branding on social media. Many argued that the league’s biggest event had lost part of its visual identity.
The discussion became even louder with the introduction of the NBA Cup, which features customized courts and exclusive tournament branding. Many wondered how the in-season tournament could have special courts while the NBA Finals, the league’s premier event, did not.
It appears the NBA finally got the message.
A new twist for the 2026 Finals
This year’s version will include a new wrinkle. The trophy logo at center court will not be identical for every game; instead, it will be integrated with the visual identity of the home team hosting each contest.
It’s a way to blend the tradition of the Finals with modern franchise branding while preserving the unique atmosphere many fans felt had been lost.
The countdown ends Wednesday, when the Spurs and Knicks tip off one of the most anticipated Finals matchups in recent years. And this time, one look at the court will be enough to remind everyone that the biggest stage in basketball has finally arrived.