The NBA Opening Night for the 2026-27 season showcased thrilling gameplay and notable sneaker fashion. Amid the excitement of competitive matchups, players made headlines not just for their performance but also for their choice of footwear. Here's a rundown of the ten best basketball shoes spotted on the court during this action-packed evening.
10. Curry Brand x Li-Ning Way of Wade 12
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors kicked off his partnership with Li-Ning in a big way, donning the player-exclusive Curry Brand x Li-Ning Way Of Wade 12 in the "City Guard" color scheme. For those looking to emulate Curry's style, a general-release variant is available for $200 at WayofWade.com.
9. New Balance Maxey V1
Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey was seen sporting the New Balance Maxey V1. Anticipation builds around Maxey as he aims for a breakout season, and his debut sneaker sold out rapidly on NewBalance.com. More color options are expected for fans to look out for in the near future.
8. Nike Caitlin 1
Cade Cunningham from the Detroit Pistons took to the court wearing the Nike Caitlin 1 in an "Ice Cold" design. Although these stylish shoes won’t be released until December 1, sneaker enthusiasts can check out other variations available on Nike.com. Additionally, Cunningham is set to unveil his first signature shoe in July 2027.
7. Nike Air Bakin
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Miami Heat honored his father's legacy by wearing the Nike Air Bakin, a shoe that gained popularity in the 1990s. Although sold out since September, fans can find them on resale sites like StockX and GOAT.
6. Nike Book 2/Nike Ja 4
Though Devin Booker and Ja Morant are both prominent Nike athletes, that didn't stop them from exchanging playful banter on the court. Booker sported an unreleased colorway of the Nike Book 2 while Morant went for the striking Nike Ja 4 in "Zombie" hues; both styles can be found at Nike.com.
5. Jordan Luka 5
The Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic debuted a unique version of the Jordan Luka 5 featuring eye-catching purple-and-gold colors. While this player-exclusive model isn't available for purchase, a similar Lakers-themed variant can be obtained for $135 on Nike.com.
4. Air Jordan 14 "Michigan"
Despite Doncic’s offensive prowess against Golden State's Yaxel Lendeborg, the rookie made a statement with his footwear choice. Lendeborg wore the Air Jordan 14 in the "Michigan" colorway, which pays homage to his college days. This unique colorway wasn't released, but fans can enjoy the standard Air Jordan 14 style available on Nike.com.
3. adidas Anthony Edwards 3
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves dazzled on the court in the adidas AE 3 marked with "Cold Blooded" coloring. Edwards put on an impressive performance, racking up 45 points and 10 rebounds while sporting these shoes, which retail for $130 at adidas.com.
2. Nike KD19
Kevin Durant showcased the Nike KD19 in the "EYBL Peach Jam" colorway. While this pair isn't available to the public, fans can choose among other colorways of KD's latest signature model for $155 on Nike.com.
1. Nike Kobe 6 Protro
Finally, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson made a splash by wearing a one-of-a-kind all-gold Nike Kobe 6 Protro during the Ring Ceremony for the defending champions. Clearly, this exclusive colorway will remain a rare find.
As the season progresses, make sure to stay up to date with all sneaker trends and news from the NBA!
