The NBA Finals have long been a showcase of basketball excellence, but one visual element has been missing in recent years—the iconic Larry O’Brien Trophy logo on the court. That may soon change, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has hinted at the possible return of Finals-specific court designs.
Speaking at an NBA Cares charity event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Silver acknowledged the growing conversation around the absence of Finals logos.
“Maybe there’s a way around it,” Silver said. “To be honest, I hadn’t thought all that much about it until I (saw) it (on social media). I’m nostalgic, as well, for certain things.”
Silver emphasized the importance of visual identity in a media-driven culture, noting that Finals-specific court designs help make historic moments stand out.
“It’s nice when you’re looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it’s a special event,” he explained.
The NBA stopped using on-court decals for the Finals after 2014, citing concerns over player safety. Some players had complained that the stickers made the court slippery, leading to the league’s decision to remove them. Since then, Finals courts have looked identical to regular-season courts, with only minor branding changes on scoreboards and sideline padding.
However, fans have been vocal about their desire to see the return of Finals-specific court designs, especially after the league introduced custom-painted courts for the NBA Cup tournament. Many have questioned why the NBA can create elaborate designs for a midseason event but not for its biggest stage—the Finals.
Silver’s comments suggest that the league is open to revisiting the idea, though no official decision has been made.
“We’ll look at it,” he said,
leaving the door open for a potential return in 2026.
With viewership declining and fans craving the nostalgic flair of past Finals, bringing back the Larry O’Brien Trophy logo could help restore some of the spectacle and tradition that made the Finals feel special.
