Image via Basketball Jersey Archive
We already covered the full set of leaked 2026 Nike NBA Christmas jerseys and gave the collection a D+ overall. The whole batch leans way too dark for a holiday that is supposed to feel bright and festive. But if there is one jersey in the group that at least tries, it is the Knicks.
What Works
The Knicks Christmas jersey is the lightest of all eight designs, and that alone makes it stand out. While the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors all got swallowed by black bases and neon effects, the Knicks version actually lets some color breathe. The blue and orange stripes running across the chest paired with the "New York" wordmark give this jersey an identity that the others are missing. You can actually tell this is a Knicks jersey from a distance, which is more than we can say for most of the collection.
Image via Basketball Jersey Archive
The striping is the best part. It ties the jersey back to the classic Knicks look in a way that feels intentional rather than just slapping a logo onto a dark template. There is actual design thought here, and it shows.
What Doesn't Work
The same problem that plagues the entire collection still applies here. Christmas jerseys should feel like Christmas. Think about the Adidas era, those bright, bold, monochromatic designs that made Christmas Day basketball feel like an event. These Nike jerseys look like they were designed for Halloween, not December 25th. Even the Knicks version, which is the best of the bunch, still trends darker than a Christmas jersey should.
Image via Basketball Jersey Archive
We would have loved to see Nike lean into a brighter palette across the board. Give us whites, golds, greens, reds. Give us something that actually screams holiday basketball. Instead, we got eight dark jerseys that blend together on the court.
Our Grade
The Knicks got the best hand in a weak deal. The stripes and wordmark save it from the generic feel that drags down the rest of the set, and the lighter base gives it some separation. But it is still part of a collection that missed the mark on what Christmas Day jerseys should be.
Grade: B+
For the full breakdown of all eight leaked designs, check out our Full 2026 NBA Christmas Jersey Rankings.
