First Look at the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Amazon Prime Video: Scorebug, Court Design, and What the Hornets Got Wrong

via Amazon Prime Video

The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament is officially underway, and we watched every second of the Heat vs. Hornets game on Amazon Prime Video with a notepad out. Here's our full review of the court branding, the scorebug, the uniforms, and the playoff atmosphere from the first game of the postseason.

Amazon Prime Video Play-In Tournament Scorebug

via Amazon Prime Video

This is the first time Amazon Prime Video is broadcasting an NBA postseason game, and they did a solid job with the scorebug. It says "PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT" right across the middle, with "EAST #10 vs #9" on the right side so you immediately know the matchup and the seeds. The team logos and colors are integrated, and the SoFi sponsorship sits on the left. It's clean, it looks like a playoff game, and it gives you all the context you need.

We would have liked to see the team colors be a little more distinct in the scorebug itself. The design is there, but the color integration could push it from good to great. That would have sent it up to an A for us.

Court Branding and Play-In Tournament Logo

Good news. The NBA is continuing to display the Play-In Tournament branding on the sideline, just like they do with the Playoffs logo. You can see it in the wide shot along the courtside. The basket stanchion pad also has the Play-In Tournament logo on it, which is a nice touch.

We still wish the NBA would put the Playoffs logo on the actual court like they used to before 2015, but at least the sideline branding is there and the basket stanchion pad carries the round designation. It's not on center court, but at least you can tell this is a postseason game. If the NBA can redesign entire courts for the NBA Cup, they can put a logo on the hardwood for the playoffs.

Uniform Matchup: Heat at Hornets

The uniform matchup looks great. The Hornets in their home whites against the Heat in their black Icon Edition jerseys is exactly what a playoff game should look like. Clean contrast, no confusion about who is who, and both teams look sharp.

Playoff T-Shirts: Should Have Gone White

via Amazon Prime Video

Here's our one gripe. The Hornets went with black playoff t-shirts for the fans, and we think that was the wrong call. The Heat are wearing black jerseys, so the crowd wearing black makes it look a little confusing on TV. It blends together.

We would have gone with white or teal for the fan t-shirts. White would have been the cleanest option because it matches the Hornets' home jerseys and creates a clear visual separation from the Heat's black. Teal would have been a strong second choice because it's distinctly Charlotte. Black just doesn't pop the way it should when the visiting team is wearing the same color.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Amazon Prime Video NBA scorebug look like? The Amazon Prime Video scorebug for the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament features team logos and colors, the SoFi sponsorship, the "PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT" branding across the middle, and the seed matchup on the right side. It displays the score, quarter, game clock, and shot clock.

What channel is the NBA Play-In Tournament on? The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament games are broadcast on Amazon Prime Video. This is the first year Amazon has broadcast NBA postseason games as part of the league's new media deal with ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.

What jerseys did the Heat and Hornets wear in the Play-In Tournament? The Charlotte Hornets wore their home Association Edition white jerseys, and the Miami Heat wore their Icon Edition black jerseys for the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game at Spectrum Center.

Does the NBA Play-In Tournament have a logo on the court? Yes. The NBA displays the Play-In Tournament branding on the sideline of the court, similar to how the Playoffs logo appears during the regular postseason. The basket stanchion pad also features the Play-In Tournament logo.

What color playoff shirts did the Hornets give out? The Charlotte Hornets gave out black playoff t-shirts to fans at Spectrum Center for the 2026 Play-In Tournament game against the Miami Heat.

We'll be reviewing every Play-In Tournament and first round game's court design, scorebug, and uniforms throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs.