The NBA revealed custom-designed, fully painted courts for all 30 teams on Tuesday, giving the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup courts a distinct look when the tournament tips off this month. The league said the floors draw their design approach from Nike Basketball’s 2026 Standard Issue Collection, extending that aesthetic from jerseys to the playing surface itself, according to NBA.com.
The Main Development
Every team will play Emirates NBA Cup games on a court built specifically for the tournament rather than its standard home floor. The color schemes are designed to contrast with the home team’s Statement Edition uniforms, which players will wear for all Cup games, according to NBA.com.
Two elements appear on every one of the 30 courts. The Emirates NBA Cup trophy is painted at center court and again in the paint. A new addition for 2026 puts the tournament’s tagline, “30 Teams. 8 Advance. 1 Champion.,” near the corner three-point line.
What It Means
The custom floors are not a one-game novelty. They will stay in place through Group Play, the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals, meaning fans watching any Cup-affiliated game between late October and early December will see the special courts rather than a team’s usual design.
Pairing the trophy and tagline with the Statement Edition color contrast gives the in-season tournament a visual identity separate from the regular NBA schedule, reinforcing that Cup games carry different stakes for the 30 teams chasing one of eight knockout-round spots.
Context: Tournament Format And Schedule
All 30 teams were randomly drawn into conference groups of five based on their win-loss records from the 2025-26 regular season. The Minnesota Timberwolves landed in West Group B alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans, according to Yahoo Sports.
Eight teams will advance from Group Play into the Knockout Rounds. Group Play opens Friday, Oct. 30 and runs through Friday, Nov. 27.
What’s Next
The first two Group Play games are set for Oct. 30, with the New York Knicks visiting the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET, both streaming on Prime Video, according to NBA.com. The Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Championship is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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