Best and Worst NBA Cup Courts Ranked for 2026 Season

NBA Cup Courts: The Best and Worst Designs of 2026

The NBA season is underway, but the NBA Cup kicks off on October 30, featuring group play through November and a bracket stage in early December. Last year, the Knicks won both the NBA Cup and the NBA championship, sparking curiosity if this year's Cup winner hints at the eventual league champion.

Every NBA court gets a splash of gold-themed color for the NBA Cup, though this year’s designs are more uniform than before. Some courts stand out positively, while others miss the mark.

Top 5 NBA Cup Courts in 2026

Cavaliers: Cleveland’s court benefits from a gold look that matches the trophy imagery. The combination of a deep red playing surface with gold baselines and sidelines creates a striking aesthetic that resonates with their wine-and-gold identity.
Nuggets: Denver’s court stands out with a dark red floor, blue midcourt logo, and yellow accents around the edges. This trio of colors creates a unique visual appeal that reflects their team colors effectively.
Timberwolves: Gray features prominently here, fitting well into Minnesota’s new color scheme. The gray isn't overwhelming, and the blue border along with the updated logo in the center gives the court an appealing look.
Mavericks: Dallas chose a vivid blue combined with black for their court instead of a dull gray. This bright blue background allows the golden trophy graphics at midcourt and near the paint to stand out.
Jazz: Utah’s court requires little alteration since its purple floor is unique among NBA courts. The sky blue surrounding the court complements the purple perfectly, matching the team’s jerseys.

5 NBA Cup Courts That Missed the Mark

Warriors: Golden State’s court heavily uses gray, a color absent from their usual palette. Considering their bold traditional colors, relying on gray feels out of place and dulls the court's energy.
Lakers: Their court is mostly yellow with black borders but lacks significant purple, which only appears in a small midcourt logo. The yellow is nearly neon and deviates from the warmer gold tones fans associate with the Kobe Bryant era.
Grizzlies: Memphis uses a dark gray floor, which clashes with their mainly blue color scheme. Incorporating more blue or their vibrant throwback colors would have been better choices.
76ers: Philadelphia’s court shows a subdued blue-on-blue theme, which fails to capture the patriotic spirit often linked to the franchise. Navy blue isn’t a key color for them, and it dulls the royal blue floor’s potential impact.
Spurs: San Antonio opted for a very dark gray court almost blending into black borders. This black-on-black approach sacrifices contrast. They could have experimented with their colorful Fiesta palette if allowed.