Every 2026 NBA Playoffs Round 1 jersey and uniform matchup graded, updated game by game. Home team wears white. Road team wears color. That's the playoff uniform standard. We score each jersey matchup on a 10-point scale and give credit for iconic alternates and throwback uniforms that carry the right vibe.
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Below, every matchup graded, newest first. Jump to any night with the links above.
Sunday Night Game 7 Matchups
Sunday's Round 1 closeout brought two winner-take-all Game 7s and both home teams committed to a hard split on the playoff white-versus-color standard. Detroit hosted Orlando at Little Caesars Arena and ran back the Association Edition whites for the seventh straight game, the only team in either bracket fully committed to one uniform start to finish, with the Magic finally pulling out the Icon Edition blue road jersey for the first time this series after six straight Statement black road wears. The Pistons closed the series 4-3 at home to advance to Round 2, the textbook playoff white-versus-color matchup we score top of the scale. Cleveland hosted Toronto at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and went Statement Edition black at home for the first time this postseason, the third different home jersey we saw the Cavs wear in this series, with Toronto in their familiar Icon Edition red on the road for the third straight matchup. The Cavaliers closed the series 4-3 at home to advance to Round 2, the wrong-color black-at-home call still earning a 2 out of 10 even on a winning night. Sunday averaged 6 out of 10 across the two Game 7s on the strength of a perfect Detroit-Orlando matchup balanced against a Cleveland home black call we are not buying.
Game 7: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
AT
Score: 10 / 10
Pistons Association Edition white home jersey against Magic Icon Edition blue road uniform debut, the textbook playoff white-versus-color matchup we score top of the scale. Detroit running back the Association whites for the seventh straight game and Orlando finally flipping to the primary Icon blue road jersey after six Statement black wears, both teams in the right uniform for a winner-take-all Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit closed the series 4-3 at home to advance to Round 2, the Pistons winning the deciding game in the right-color Association whites against Orlando's Icon blue debut. Ten out of 10.
Game 7: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
AT
Score: 2 / 10
Cavs Statement Edition black home jersey against Raptors Icon Edition red road uniform, Cleveland's third different home jersey this series and the wrong one for a winner-take-all Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Black at home flips the playoff white-versus-color standard and red against black gives the broadcast almost no visual separation, two more points if the Cavs had run back their Game 5 Association whites. Cleveland closed the series 4-3 at home to advance to Round 2, the Cavaliers winning the deciding game in the wrong-color Statement black against Toronto's Icon red. Two out of 10.
Saturday Night Game 7 Matchup
Saturday's only Round 1 game was Game 7 of the Sixers and Celtics at TD Garden, and Boston pulled the Icon Edition green at home with Philadelphia in Association Edition white on the road, the same uniform pairing we saw in Game 2 of this series for a 3 out of 10 grade. Boston's Icon green is the franchise's signature playoff visual and one of the most iconic looks in basketball, but it is the Celtics' road jersey, and wearing it at home flips the playoff white-versus-color standard for the biggest game of the round. Philadelphia in road whites only doubles down on the inverted home-and-road logic, the same backwards setup we flagged in Game 2. The Celtics' Association whites on the parquet earned a perfect 10 in Game 1, and pulling them out for a Game 7 would have been the right call. Three out of 10. Philadelphia stunned Boston on the road in Game 7 to close out the series 4-3 and advance to Round 2, the Sixers winning the deciding game in the wrong-color Association whites at TD Garden.
Game 7: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Association · White
AT
Score: 3 / 10
Celtics Icon Edition green home jersey against Sixers Association Edition white road uniform, the same matchup as Game 2 of this series and the same 3 out of 10 grade. Boston in Icon green at home flips the playoff white-versus-color standard for a winner-take-all Game 7 at TD Garden, two more points if the Celtics had run back the perfect 10 Association whites from Game 1. Philadelphia took Game 7 on the road in the Association whites to close out the series 4-3 and advance to Round 2, the rare road Game 7 win in the wrong-color Sunday white-versus-color standard.
Friday Night Game 6 Matchups
Friday's Game 6 slate was the busiest single night of Round 1 with three home teams in elimination and closeout spots and two of three series pushed to a Game 7. Orlando hosted Detroit at Kia Center with a closeout chance up 3-2, the Magic back in the Statement Edition black at home against Pistons Association whites for the third game in this exact uniform combination and the same 4 out of 10 grade as Game 3, but Detroit stole Game 6 on the road to force a Game 7 in Detroit with the series tied 3-3. Toronto hosted Cleveland at Scotiabank Arena facing elimination at home, the Raptors back in the Icon Edition red home jersey against Cavaliers Statement black on the road and the same 4 out of 10 grade as Game 4, and Toronto saved its season to force a Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with the series tied 3-3. Houston hosted Los Angeles at Toyota Center facing elimination at home, the Rockets in Icon Edition red home jerseys against Lakers Icon gold on the road and the same 6 out of 10 grade as Game 3, and the Lakers closed out the series 4-2 in Houston to advance to Round 2 with the gold-on-red Western Conference identity matchup we had been waiting for. Friday averaged 4.7 out of 10 across the three games.
Game 6: Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Magic Statement black home jersey against Pistons Association white road uniform, the same matchup as Game 3 of this series and the same 4 out of 10 grade. Detroit is the only team in either bracket committed to one uniform start to finish, six straight games in Association white. Pistons stole Game 6 on the road to force a Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena with the series tied 3-3, Orlando's closeout chance gone and the Magic now facing a winner-take-all road trip in Detroit.
Game 6: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Raptors Icon red home jersey against Cavaliers Statement black road uniform, the same matchup as Game 4 of this series and the same 4 out of 10 grade. Cleveland in road black undercuts the white-anchor identity Game 6 deserves, two more points if the Cavs had run back their Association whites from Game 5. Toronto saved its season at Scotiabank Arena to force a Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with the series tied 3-3, Cleveland's closeout chance gone and the Cavs back home for a winner-take-all decider in Round 1.
Game 6: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
AT
Score: 6 / 10
Rockets Icon red home jersey against Lakers Icon gold road uniform, the same matchup as Game 3 of this series and the same 6 out of 10 grade. Houston in Icon red at home and Lakers in iconic gold on the road gave Toyota Center a clean two-color broadcast story, both teams committed to primary franchise identity. Los Angeles closed out the series 4-2 on the road at Toyota Center to advance to Round 2, the Lakers' Icon gold finishing 3-0 in Round 1 and the Rockets eliminated at home in Houston.
Thursday Night Game 6 Matchups
Thursday's Game 6 slate was the cleanest jersey night of the round. Atlanta hosted New York facing elimination at State Farm Arena and pulled the Association whites at home with the Knicks Icon blue on the road, the same matchup that earned a 10 in Game 3 and a 10 in Game 4 of this series. New York closed out the series 4-2 at State Farm Arena to advance to Round 2. Philadelphia hosted Boston also facing elimination at Wells Fargo Center and finally went Association whites at home for the first time this series with the Celtics Icon green on the road, the textbook playoff white-versus-color combination we score top of the scale and the home-team-in-whites identity Sixers fans had been waiting on since Boston took the perfect 10 home whites at TD Garden in Game 1. Philadelphia stole Game 6 to force a Game 7 at TD Garden with the series tied 3-3. Minnesota closed out the Wolves Classic Edition black at home on the matching black Classic court for the third time this series with the Nuggets Association whites on the road, advancing to Round 2 with a 4-2 series win. Thursday averaged 8 out of 10 across the three games on the strength of two perfect 10s.
Game 6: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
AT
Score: 10 / 10
Atlanta hosted New York at State Farm Arena facing elimination down 3-2, and the Hawks pulled the Association whites at home for the third time in this series with the Knicks running back the Icon Edition blue on the road. Same matchup as Game 3 and Game 4, both scored a perfect 10. Same matchup, same grade. The Hawks Association whites at home is the textbook playoff white-versus-color identity, the Knicks Icon blue is one of the cleanest road looks in the league, and the broadcast contrast was exactly what every elimination night should look like. The series was one of the best uniform stories of Round 1 across the board. Ten out of 10. New York closed out the series 4-2 at State Farm Arena to send Atlanta home and advance to Round 2.
Game 6: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
AT
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Association · White
Score: 10 / 10
Philadelphia hosted Boston facing elimination down 3-2 at Wells Fargo Center, and the Sixers finally pulled the Association whites at home for the first time this series with the Celtics in Icon Edition green on the road. This is the textbook playoff white-versus-color matchup we score top of the scale, the home-team-in-whites-versus-road-team-in-color identity standard we had been waiting on from this series ever since Game 1 ran a flipped Sixers Icon blue at Celtics whites at TD Garden. The Sixers Association whites are one of the cleanest looks in the league with the iconic Philadelphia red and royal blue striping. Boston Icon green on the road is the franchise's signature playoff visual and one of the most recognizable looks in basketball. Two iconic Eastern Conference identities at full strength on an elimination night, no Statement black detours, no Classic throwback debate, just both teams in the right uniform for the moment. Ten out of 10. Philadelphia took Game 6 in the Association whites to force a Game 7 at TD Garden with the series tied 3-3.
Game 6: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Minnesota ran back the Wolves Classic Edition black at home on the matching black Classic court for the third time this series with the Nuggets in Association whites on the road. Same matchup as Game 3 and Game 4, both scored a 4 out of 10, and we are scoring this one a 4 out of 10 to stay consistent. Home team in black, road team in white, the reversed playoff combination that dragged every home-in-black matchup down this round. The Wolves Classic black on the matching black Classic court is a sharp single-team visual on its own, but the structural choice put the home team in the darker tone with Denver in the cleaner whites and the broadcast did not get the white-anchor identity moment a closeout night deserves. We are calling it the same way we did in Games 3 and 4. Four out of 10. Minnesota closed out the series 4-2 at Target Center to send Denver home and advance to Round 2.
Wednesday Night Game 5 Matchups
Wednesday's Game 5 slate flips the script after Tuesday's run of black-at-home misses. Detroit hosts Orlando in the Association whites for the fifth straight game with the Magic finally pulling out their Statement Edition black road alternate, and the matchup is the cleanest jersey and uniform pairing of Round 1 with a perfect 10. Cleveland breaks out the Association whites at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for the first time this playoffs and runs on the primary home court for the first time this postseason, with Toronto debuting Statement Edition black on the road for a clean 9. Los Angeles is back on the primary court for the first time since Game 1 but skips the Icon gold and goes Statement purple at home instead, with Houston choosing Association whites over their red identity and the resulting purple-on-white matchup at Crypto.com lands a 3. Tonight averages 7.3 across the three games and the night belongs to Detroit and Orlando.
Game 5: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
AT
Score: 10 / 10
Detroit hosts Orlando back at Little Caesars Arena and runs the Association whites for the fifth straight game in this series, the only team in either bracket committed to one uniform start to finish. Orlando flips back to Statement Edition black on the road after the Icon blue from Game 4. We do not always love alternate roads in the playoffs, but a Magic Statement black against a clean Pistons home Association white is the best jersey and uniform matchup of Round 1 to date. The Magic black is one of the cleaner Statement designs in the league, the matte side panels and tonal logo treatment give the broadcast a real moody contrast against Detroit's Pistons red trim, and the alternate gives this matchup the visual change-up the Pistons-Magic series has needed since Game 1. Ten out of 10. Detroit took Game 5 at home to extend the series and send Round 1 back to Kia Center for Game 6 with the Magic still up 3-2.
Game 5: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
AT
Score: 9 / 10
Cleveland comes back to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and finally pulls the Association whites for the first time this playoffs, the third different home jersey we have seen the Cavaliers wear in this series. The Cavs are also back on the primary home court for the first time this postseason after running on the alternate court for Games 1 and 2. Toronto answers with the Statement Edition black on the road, which is a clean visual change-up off the Icon red they ran out at home for Games 3 and 4. We would have liked the Raptors Icon red on the road for the bigger color move, but the Statement black is a strong fit for the road and pairs cleanly with the Cavs home Association whites. The one nit is that the matching dark accents on both jerseys can drift into a similar value tone on broadcast which keeps this from a perfect 10. Nine out of 10. Cleveland took Game 5 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to go up 3-2 in the series with a closeout chance heading back to Toronto for Game 6.
Game 5: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
AT
Score: 3 / 10
The Lakers are back on the primary home court for the first time since Game 1 and break out a third different home uniform for the third home game of the series, after the Icon gold in Game 1 and the City Edition black in Game 2 on the alternate court. Tonight they pull the Statement Edition purple at home, a road jersey worn at home, on a weekday game where the iconic Icon gold should have been the easy call. Houston had every reason to answer with their Icon red for a real color-on-color contrast and instead runs out the Association whites on the road. The result is the Lakers in road purple at home against the Rockets in road white, two off-script choices stacked on top of each other. The Lakers Statement purple is a great-looking jersey and uniform on the road. At home it loses the entire point of the home jersey moment. Three out of 10. Houston took Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena to make the series 3-2 with the Lakers still up, and Round 1 heads back to Toyota Center for Game 6.
Tuesday Night Game 5 Matchups
Tuesday's Game 5 slate was a study in extremes. Boston ran out the Statement Edition black at home for the first time in this series, Philadelphia answered with Association whites on the road instead of one of their primary colors, and the resulting matchup was one of the worst home looks of Round 1. New York did the exact same thing one game later, with Statement Edition black at Madison Square Garden against Atlanta Hawks Association whites, and the look there was even rougher because of how much we already dislike the Knicks black uniform. The night was saved by Spurs vs Blazers Game 5 in San Antonio, where the Spurs came back to Association whites and the Blazers swapped into their alternate red road jersey for a clean white-on-red contrast that we scored a 9 out of 10. Tuesday averaged 4 out of 10 with Spurs vs Blazers carrying the slate.
Game 5: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Association · White
AT
Score: 2 / 10
Boston had every primary uniform in the wardrobe and pulled the Statement Edition black at home for the first time in this series with a 3-1 series lead. We did not love it. The Celtics had the iconic Association whites that turned in a perfect 10 in Game 1 and they had Icon green for Games 2 through 4. Closing out a series at home is the moment to wear one of those primary identities, not the black alt. Philadelphia answered with Association whites on the road instead of going Icon royal blue or Classic black throwback, which left both teams in roughly the same value tone. Two out of 10. Philadelphia took Game 5 at TD Garden to extend the series and send Round 1 back to Wells Fargo Center for Game 6 with the Celtics still up 3-2.
Game 5: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks
AT
Score: 1 / 10
Same problem one game later, except worse. New York pulled the Statement Edition black at Madison Square Garden for the third time this series and Atlanta answered in Association whites on the road instead of any of their red identities. The Knicks already had the perfect look earlier in this series with Association whites at home, and the Hawks have a deep red wardrobe they could have leaned on for a closeout-the-other-way visual. Instead we got black-on-white at MSG, the same look the Knicks ran out for Games 1 and 2 at home which the Knicks went 2-0 in, but the design crime stands. The Knicks Statement Edition black is one of the worst looks in the league and a series tied 2-2 at MSG deserved better. One out of 10. New York took the swing game at home to grab a 3-2 series lead heading back to State Farm Arena for Game 6.
Game 5: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
AT
Score: 9 / 10
The Spurs came back home up 3-1 and pulled the Association whites for a closeout night. The Blazers debuted their alternate Statement red on the road. We do not usually love alternate road uniforms in the playoffs, but a road alternate that introduced a real color worked in a series that had otherwise been black, white, and silver. Portland red against Spurs silver and white was the cleanest single visual contrast of the night and one of the best of Round 1 so far. Not a perfect 10 because it was not the ideal home-in-whites versus road-primary-color matchup we score top of the scale, but the colors hit and the alternate added the right kind of visual change-up for an elimination game in San Antonio. Nine out of 10. San Antonio closed it out at Frost Bank Center to win the series 4-1 and become the first team out of Round 1 in either conference, advancing to face the higher seed in the second round.
Monday Night Game 4 and Game 5 Matchups
Monday brings two Game 4s and a Game 5, and the look gets even rougher than Saturday. The Magic finally flip from three games of Statement black to their Icon blue at home for Game 4, with Kia Center expected to hand out blue tees in the stands. Phoenix runs back the same Statement black look at Footprint Center that earned a 2 in Game 3. And Denver opens a do-or-die Game 5 in their Icon blue at Ball Arena against Wolves Association whites, no whites at home anywhere on the slate. Three home teams in color, zero in their Sunday Association whites. Tonight averages 3 out of 10.
Game 4: Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
AT
Score: 5 / 10
The Magic finally flip out of Statement black after three straight games and pull on the Icon Edition blue at home for Game 4. Kia Center is expected to load the lower bowl with a blue t-shirt giveaway to match, the first real branded color moment of this series. The Pistons run back the Association whites for the fourth straight game, the only team in this series committed to one uniform from start to finish. Magic blue against Pistons whites is a step up from the all-black-and-white look we have been graded all series, but Orlando still passes on the home Association whites in a series where it would have been a cleaner look. Five out of 10 with the t-shirt giveaway pulling the matchup off the floor.
Game 4: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
AT
Score: 2 / 10
Phoenix runs back the same Statement Edition black at home that delivered the worst look of Round 1 in Game 3 and pairs it with the same alternate court underneath. The Thunder repeat the Icon Edition blue on the road. Black-on-blue, no whites in sight, no purple-and-orange Suns identity anywhere in a series where Phoenix is one bad night from elimination. The alt court is still sharp, but the jerseys keep doing the matchup no favors. Same matchup as Game 3, same two out of 10. Phoenix has every primary uniform in their wardrobe and we are still waiting to see one.
Game 5: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
AT
Score: 2 / 10
Denver opens an elimination Game 5 at Ball Arena and flips again, this time to the Icon Edition blue, the third different uniform Nuggets fans have seen in this series. Statement blue at home for Games 1 and 2, Association white on the road for Games 3 and 4, now Icon blue at home for Game 5. The Wolves run back the Association whites they wore in the first two games at Denver. Two shades of blue and white at the same arena, no white at home, no real visual change-up despite Denver burning a debut on a do-or-die night. Two out of 10. The Nuggets had a chance to commit to a primary white moment for an elimination game and chose another blue.
Sunday Night Game 4 Matchups
Sunday is a four-game Game 4 slate and the look does not get a lot better than Saturday. Three of the four home teams pick a color jersey instead of Association whites, the Spurs flip from Game 3's perfect 10 to a Blazers-in-black combo that drops three out of 10, and only the Lakers finally pulling out the Sunday Association whites lifts the Houston matchup off the floor. The Celtics and Sixers throwback set runs back its eight from Friday and stays the cleanest look of the night. Sunday averages 5 out of 10.
Game 4: San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
AT
Score: 3 / 10
The Blazers flip the look from Game 3 and lose all the points doing it. Portland was perfect in their Association whites at home for Game 3 and earned a 10. For Game 4 they switch to Icon Edition black at home and the Spurs flip to Association whites on the road. Home team in black, road team in white, the exact reversed playoff combination that has dragged every other home-in-black matchup down this round. The Spurs whites are crisp and the Blazers blacks are sharp on their own, but the structural choice is the wrong one. Three out of 10. San Antonio takes Game 4 to go up 3-1 in the series.
Game 4: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Toronto finally pulls out the Icon Edition red at home and we are here for it. The red uniform is the look the Raptors should have committed to from the opener — bold franchise color, instantly identifiable, plays well with the Scotiabank Arena floor. The Cavs come back the other way and switch from Association whites to Statement Edition black on the road. Cleveland in black on the road undercuts the Raptors red commitment by killing the white contrast we were ready to grade higher. Color on color, red home and black road, neither team giving us the white anchor a Game 4 needed. Four out of 10 because at least the Raptors red is the right Toronto identity. Two more points if Cleveland had stayed in their Association whites. Toronto wins to tie the series 2-2.
Game 4: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
AT
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Classic · Black
Score: 8 / 10
Same matchup as Game 3, same eight out of 10. Philadelphia runs the Classic Edition black throwback at home for the second straight game with the matching Wells Fargo Center alternate court underneath. Boston stays in Icon Edition green on the road. The throwback identity holds up across consecutive home games and the Celtics green-on-Sixers-black matchup carries the same broadcast contrast we graded on Friday. Philadelphia gets full credit for committing to a single visual package across two games — the jersey, the court, and the crowd treatment all line up. Two more points if the Sixers had pulled out the Association whites for Game 4 and given us the Boston-on-the-road perfect 10, but we are not going to penalize a team for staying consistent with a strong throwback look. Eight out of 10. Boston wins to take a 3-1 series lead.
Game 4: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
AT
Score: 5 / 10
The Lakers finally pull out the Association Edition whites on the road. This is the Sunday white look Lakers fans have been waiting for the whole series and the franchise gives it to us in Houston. White on the road for Los Angeles is one of the league's most iconic visuals and it lifts what would have been another flat home-team-in-color matchup. The Rockets stay in Icon Edition red at home, the same red they ran in Game 3, paired with the Toyota Center floor. We want the Rockets in Association whites for the full home-and-away playoff standard, but the red-vs-white contrast reads broadcast-clean and Houston commits to a primary color either way. Five out of 10. The Lakers whites carry this above the typical home-in-color penalty. Houston wins Game 4 in the Icon red.
Saturday Night Game 3 and Game 4 Matchups
Saturday is a heavy slate. Three Game 3s and one Game 4. The Knicks and Hawks run back the perfect 10 from Game 3 in a Game 4 mirror, and that is the high point of the night. Three other home teams pick black instead of whites, and the Suns finally get home and somehow find a way to wear a corporate Statement black at Footprint Center. Saturday averages 5 out of 10 on the strength of one perfect Hawks-Knicks repeat pulling up three home-in-black games.
Game 3: Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
AT
Score: 4 / 10
The series flips back to Orlando for Game 3, but neither team flips their jersey. The Magic stay in Statement Edition black for the third straight game and now wear it at home. The Pistons stay in Association Edition white for the third straight game and now wear it on the road. Home team in black, road team in white, no color committed by either side. The Magic could have given Kia Center a primary blue moment for their first home playoff game in years and chose to run the same Statement black uniform back instead. Black-vs-white reads cleanly on broadcast and the matchup is at least consistent, but consistent in the wrong direction is still the wrong direction. Same uniform language as Wolves at Nuggets on Thursday and the same four out of 10.
Game 4: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
AT
Score: 10 / 10
The Game 3 perfect 10 runs back. Same matchup, same uniforms, same playoff visual we waited all round to see. Knicks in primary Icon blue on the road, Hawks in Association white at home, both teams reading as themselves on broadcast. State Farm Arena keeps the red giveaway treatment in the seats and the Knicks orange accents pop against the Hawks volt detailing. The standard has not changed and neither has our score. Home team in white, road team in their primary color, full playoff home-and-away compliance. Two more matchups like this and we would have nothing to write about. Ten out of 10.
Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Game 4 mirrors Game 3 down to the jersey choices. Minnesota stays in the Classic Edition black at home and Denver stays in Association whites on the road. The Wolves Classic black is one of the better alternates in the league, sharper than the Statement grey they opened with, but it is still a home team in black on a Game 4 that could have used a Statement white-on-white commitment from at least one side. Same matchup, same matchup grade. Four out of 10.
Game 3: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
AT
Score: 2 / 10
The Suns finally get home and pick the worst possible jersey for it. Phoenix has one of the best color palettes in the league with the purple, orange, and yellow, and the franchise still chooses to wear corporate Statement Edition black at Footprint Center for their first home game of the playoffs. The Thunder are on the road in Icon Edition blue, which gives us a black-on-blue matchup with no white anywhere. Color on color, no broadcast contrast, no team identity, no home whites. The Suns alternate court underneath this one is sharp and Phoenix knows what to do with the floor, but the jerseys need to do their job too. Two out of 10. Phoenix had every primary uniform in their wardrobe to choose from and went with the rental tux.
Friday Night Game 3 Matchups
Friday brings Round 1 Game 3 for the other half of the bracket. The Sixers host Boston in the Classic Edition black throwback and the Wells Fargo Center alternate court they have been running all playoffs, the Rockets finally get home and open the series in Icon Edition red, and the Blazers and Spurs deliver the cleanest home-and-away matchup of the round. Friday averages 8 out of 10 on the strength of Portland and San Antonio playing it straight and Philadelphia committing fully to the throwback identity with the matching court.
Game 3: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
AT
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Classic · Black
Score: 8 / 10
The Sixers flip to their Classic Edition black throwback at home for their first Round 1 appearance, and it lines up with the Wells Fargo Center throwback court that they have been running through the play-in and now the first home game of the series. We still do not love a home team in black when the Association whites are sitting in the locker, but the Sixers own the look as an identity, the throwback court ties the floor and the uniform together into one visual package, and the commitment reads as a real choice instead of a default. The Celtics on the road in Icon Edition green is the right flip. Green on the road is where Boston's identity actually lives, and it contrasts cleanly against the Sixers black and the red, white, and blue throwback floor. Eight out of 10. Two more points if Philadelphia had pulled out the Association whites, but this is our favorite version of a home-in-color matchup in Round 1.
Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
AT
Score: 6 / 10
Houston finally gets a home game and opens Round 1 at Toyota Center in the Icon Edition red. We would rather see the Rockets in Association whites to keep the playoff home-team-in-white standard, but red is the franchise identity and we will always take it over the Association white they have been running on the road. The Lakers on the road in Icon Edition gold is the right move for Friday. Lakers fans know the Sunday white is coming later in the series, so a Friday night road game belongs to the gold. Gold on the road against Rockets red reads clean on broadcast, and both teams commit to a primary color that actually identifies them. Six out of 10 because the home team is still not in whites, but this is a full step up from the Lakers City Edition black that sank Game 2 to a zero.
Game 3: San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
AT
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Association · White
Shop on FanaticsScore: 10 / 10
Another perfect jersey matchup. Portland finally gets home and pulls the Association Edition whites on their first Moda Center playoff game of Round 1. San Antonio goes to the Icon Edition black on the road after running Fiesta in Game 1 and Association whites in Game 2. Home team in white, road team in their primary color, full playoff home-and-away compliance on a night when half the league cannot seem to figure that out. The contrast is sharp, the uniform language reads exactly the way a playoff game should, and there is nothing we would change. Ten out of 10. This and Knicks at Hawks are the only perfect Round 1 matchups graded on aesthetics alone, and that should tell every other home team what we are looking for.
Thursday Night Game 3 Matchups
Thursday opens Round 1 Game 3 for three series, and the home teams get their first playoff game at home. The Knicks at Hawks matchup is the best of the round so far — Knicks in primary Icon blue on the road, Hawks in Association white at home, Round 1's next perfect 10. The Raptors flip to Statement black against Cleveland whites, and the Timberwolves open Classic black against Denver's road whites. Thursday averages 5.3 out of 10 on the Knicks-Hawks perfect matchup pulling up two home-in-black games.
Game 3: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
AT
Score: 10 / 10
This is the jersey matchup we wait for. Both teams in their primary uniforms, with the Knicks in their iconic Icon blue on the road and the Hawks pulling out their Association whites for their first home game of the series. Clean home-and-away execution, classic broadcast contrast, and a perfect playoff uniform look. The Hawks are giving out red giveaway t-shirts to the crowd, which will put State Farm Arena in a sea of red behind both teams. Can't ask for more from a Game 3.
Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
AT
Score: 2 / 10
Our least favorite jersey combo. The Raptors could have gone Icon red at home and given us a clean red-vs-white matchup against Cleveland's Association whites. Instead it's Statement black at home against the Cavs whites on the road. Home team in black, away team in white, and neither team commits to an identity color. If Toronto had pulled out the red uniform, we'd have a totally different conversation. As is, a flat two out of 10.
Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
AT
Score: 4 / 10
Minnesota at least went with their Classic black, one of the sharper alternate uniforms in the league and a visual upgrade from the Statement grey they opened with in Game 1. Still, another home team in black. The Nuggets leave their color at home and pick up Association whites for the road. White on black reads fine on broadcast but there's no color commitment from either side. Four out of 10.
Wednesday Night Game 2 Matchups
Wednesday is the third Game 2 slate. Two games, two different stories. The Magic and Pistons run it back with the same Statement black and Association white matchup we graded an 8 on Sunday. The Thunder and Suns swing the other way. Oklahoma City flips from Icon Edition blue to its City Edition blue paired with the matching City Edition alternate court, and the Suns flip from Statement black to Association white on the road. Wednesday averages 7 out of 10.
Game 2: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
AT
Score: 8 / 10
Same matchup, same 8 out of 10. The Pistons run it back in their Association Edition whites at home and the Magic run it back in their Statement Edition black on the road. Detroit is doing it right. First home playoff game in years on Sunday, traditional home whites, and they're sticking with the look for Game 2. Full credit again.
The Magic skipping their primary blue road look for Statement black still costs points, but the black-vs-white contrast reads cleanly on the Little Caesars Arena floor and the matchup carries over the same visual energy from Game 1. Nothing to change from our Sunday read.
Game 2: Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
AT
Score: 6 / 10
This is Oklahoma City's first City Edition wear of the postseason and it lines up with the matching City Edition alternate court. The Thunder are committed to the look top to bottom. Same floor, same jersey language, same branded visual. We're not thrilled about another colored jersey at home instead of traditional whites, but this is the right kind of commitment when a team chooses to go colored. If you're not wearing whites, at least make it feel like a deliberate identity statement. The Thunder did.
The Suns flip from Statement Edition black in Game 1 to Association Edition white on the road. Phoenix white against Thunder City blue reads cleaner on broadcast than the Game 1 black-on-blue, but the Suns wearing Association whites on the road is still backwards from the playoff standard. We want to see Phoenix in their primary purple-and-orange at some point in this series. Same 6 out of 10 as Game 1, with the Thunder alternate court doing most of the work.
Tuesday Night Game 2 Matchups
Tuesday is the second Game 2 slate. Three games, three full aesthetic swings. The Spurs flip from full Fiesta to traditional home whites against Portland. The Celtics flip the other way, from perfect-10 whites in Game 1 to Icon green at home against the Sixers. And the Lakers break franchise history by wearing a City Edition jersey in the playoffs for the first time, pairing the all-black jersey with the black alternate court against Houston. The slate averages 4.3 out of 10 on the strength of the Spurs pulling it back and the Lakers giving us a 0.
Game 2: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
AT
Score: 10 / 10
This is what a playoff game is supposed to look like. The Spurs traded the Fiesta pink, teal, orange, and yellow Game 1 treatment for their Association Edition whites at home. The Blazers brought their Icon Edition black on the road. Home team in white, road team in their primary color, classic playoff visual. We were obsessed with Frost Bank Center going full Fiesta for Game 1, but we wanted to see if the Spurs could still deliver a clean look when they dropped back to the standard home whites. They did.
The court is back to the standard Spurs home configuration for Game 2. No Fiesta branding on the floor, no pink-teal-orange-yellow seat takeover. This lets the jerseys breathe and the matchup reads cleanly on broadcast. We are curious to see what the Spurs do with the crowd after the Roweled Up Fiesta treatment from Game 1, but the jerseys and court alone make this the best-looking matchup of Round 1 so far.
Game 2: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Association · White
AT
Score: 3 / 10
This one drives us crazy. Boston has one of the best home white uniforms in the league. The Association Edition whites on the parquet at TD Garden in Game 1 earned a perfect 10 from us. And for Game 2, the Celtics are flipping to their Icon Edition green at home.
Green is the Celtics' identity, yes, but it is their away color. The Icon Edition green is what they wear on the road. Wearing it at home flips the home-and-away logic of basketball. The Sixers in Association Edition white on the road is a sensible counter to create contrast, but now we have the Celtics in color at home and the Sixers in white on the road, which is exactly backwards from the playoff standard.
Credit where it's due. At least this is not the Knicks in Statement black or the Nuggets in Statement blue. The Celtics' Icon green is an iconic look that still screams Boston, and it contrasts cleanly with the parquet. We are just not buying the home-team-in-color and away-team-in-white swap in a playoff game, especially when the Celtics could have run it back with the perfect 10 whites from Game 1.
Game 2: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
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Score: 0 / 10
This might be the worst decision of Round 1. The Lakers are wearing their City Edition black jersey at home on the black alternate court. This is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have worn a City Edition jersey in the playoffs. It should also be the last.
The Lakers have one of the most iconic color palettes in professional sports. Purple and gold. Crypto.com Arena. A championship banner history that demands purple or gold on the floor when the lights come on in April. For Game 2 the team is choosing corporate City Edition black and a blackout court that erases all of it. This is not a matchup, this is a brand identity crisis.
The Rockets are in Association Edition white on the road. Houston white against Lakers black on a black court creates a matchup with almost no color identity for either team. Nothing reads on broadcast. The Lakers Icon gold of Game 1 against the Rockets black was a 9.5 out of 10. This is the same Rockets jersey slot we would have loved to see again, but the Lakers choice pulls the entire matchup to the floor.
We are Lakers fans. We are disappointed. Playoff basketball at Crypto.com Arena should be purple or gold on that floor, every game, end of discussion.
Monday Night Game 2 Matchups
Monday is the first real Game 2 slate. Three games. Two home teams going dark (Knicks black, Nuggets blue) with the Cavs sticking with their Classic Edition throwback. The slate averages 3.7 out of 10, the weakest night of Round 1 so far.
Game 2: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
AT
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Classic · Throwback Blue
Shop on FanaticsScore: 7 / 10
Same matchup as Game 1, same score. The Cavs are running back their Classic Edition throwback blues at home on the LeBron-era alternate court. The Raptors are in their Icon Edition red on the road. The throwback blue carries enough Cleveland equity to justify not wearing whites, and the Raptors red against the Cavs blue still makes for a visually distinct broadcast matchup. The Cavs are also the only home team tonight not going dark, which should be said louder.
Game 2: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks
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Score: 1 / 10
This one drives us crazy. The Knicks have one of the best color palettes in the NBA. Orange and blue. Home whites at Madison Square Garden is exactly what a Knicks playoff game should look like. And yet for Game 2, they are going with their Statement Edition black at home. Why.
It gets worse. The Hawks are in white on the road. White road jerseys against black home jerseys is backwards. We would have preferred the Hawks in their Icon Edition red so at least the matchup delivered color on color. Instead we get white on black with the roles reversed. The Hawks white is also not going to contrast cleanly with MSG crowd colors, which are orange and blue. The whole thing is a miss.
Game 2: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
AT
Score: 3 / 10
Same structural problem as the Knicks game. Home team in color, road team in white. The Nuggets are going with their Statement Edition blue at home and the Timberwolves are coming in with their Association Edition white on the road.
The Nuggets blue is the saving grace. It's nicer than the Knicks black and it actually has some color pop on broadcast, especially against the Ball Arena crowd. The Timberwolves had the option of going with their gray Statement alternate they wore recently, but they picked white for a cleaner contrast against the Nuggets blue. The contrast is fine, not great. Not playoff-special.
Now to opening weekend.
Game 1: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Icon · Royal Blue
AT
Score: 10 / 10
The Celtics are in their Association Edition whites at home and the Sixers are in their Icon Edition royal blue on the road. This is exactly how a playoff game is supposed to look. Home team in white, road team in their primary color. The Celtics green parquet court with white jerseys on one side and royal blue on the other is going to be one of the cleanest visuals of the entire opening weekend. No alternates, no Statement Edition shake-ups, just two iconic franchises in their primary editions.
This is the matchup that proves teams can still get this right when they want to. The Sixers' Icon blue is one of the best primary colors in the league. Pair it with Boston whites on the parquet and you have a textbook playoff visual. We have no notes. Perfect score.
Game 1: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
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Score: 8 / 10
The Pistons are in their Association Edition whites at home, and that's the right call for their first home playoff game in years. Detroit playoff basketball is back at Little Caesars Arena and the team is honoring it with traditional home whites. Full credit.
The Magic are going with their Statement Edition black on the road instead of their primary blue away jersey. Black contrasts well with Detroit white, so the visual works, but we would have preferred the Magic in their primary blue. The Statement black is a solid alternate and the matchup will look clean on broadcast, just not perfect by traditional playoff standards. Points off for skipping the primary road look.
Game 1: Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
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Score: 6 / 10
This one is a split decision. The Thunder skip their home whites for Icon Edition blue, but Oklahoma City genuinely looks great in blue during the playoffs. The blue jerseys against the Thunder court and a packed Paycom Center crowd in playoff orange is going to feel like a real postseason atmosphere. The Thunder get full iconic-alt credit here. They earned it.
The Suns drag the score down. Phoenix has one of the best color palettes in the league with their purple and orange, and they're choosing to wear corporate Statement Edition black on the road instead. Black against Thunder blue creates a darker matchup than this game needed to be. We would have loved to see Phoenix in their primary road look and let those colors play off the Thunder blue. The Thunder hold the floor visually, but the Suns choice is what keeps this from being one of the cleaner Sunday games.
Game 1: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs
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Score: 6 / 10
This is the most visually ambitious matchup of the opening weekend. The Spurs go full Fiesta with their City Edition black against the Frost Bank Center transformed into a pink, teal, orange, and yellow Fiesta arena. The seats, the jumbotron, the court, all of it tied together into one unified Fiesta identity. This is what playoff branding is supposed to look like and the Spurs are the team doing it best in the league right now.
The Blazers wearing their Association Edition white on the road is unusual, and it costs the matchup points. White against the Fiesta black creates strong visual contrast, and we're giving the Spurs full iconic-alt credit for committing to their Fiesta identity head-to-toe. But the Spurs aren't in white at home and the Blazers aren't in their primary road look, so by traditional playoff standards this matchup loses real points. We're scoring it on the love we have for the Spurs jersey alone.
This is still the matchup we're going to be turning on the TV for first. Frost Bank Center is going to look unreal.
Game 1: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
AT
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Classic · Throwback Blue
Shop on FanaticsScore: 7 / 10
The Cavs are going with their Classic Edition throwback blues at home. That's the old-school LeBron-era look, and we're fine with it. The throwback blue jersey carries enough history and visual equity in Cleveland that we're willing to give throwback credit even though it isn't the traditional home white.
The Raptors are in their Icon Edition red on the road. We would have preferred they go white, but at least they're in color and not fighting Cleveland's blue throwbacks. Red jerseys on the road against throwback Cavs blues should make for a visually distinct matchup on broadcast. Credit for the Raptors for picking a color that works with the Cavs' palette.
Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
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Score: 7 / 10
This is the best-looking Saturday matchup on paper. The Nuggets are going with their Association Edition whites at home. That's the right call. Ball Arena in Denver gold, the team in clean whites, and you've got the classic playoff look we want to see every time.
The Timberwolves are going with their Statement Edition on the road. This is the same alternate away look they wore a lot during last year's postseason, including some big moments against the Lakers. It's become a weekend playoff signature for Minnesota at this point, but we're docking points. When a road team has the chance to wear their primary away jersey in the playoffs and chooses an alternate instead, that costs them. The Nuggets get full credit. Minnesota loses points for skipping the primary road look.
Game 1: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks
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Score: 9 / 10
The Knicks are doing it right. Home whites at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of their first round series is exactly what postseason basketball should look like. MSG is going to be loud, the crowd is going to be in Knicks blue and orange, and the white jerseys on the floor will complete the visual. Full credit for New York.
The Hawks are going with their Statement Edition black jersey as their away look. The contrast against Knicks white is going to look clean on broadcast, and the matchup is one point away from being a perfect 10. The only knock is that we would have preferred Atlanta in their primary Icon Edition red, which is one of the best road looks in the league.
Game 1: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
AT
Score: 9.5 / 10
The Lakers are doing what the Lakers should do. Icon Edition gold at home at Crypto.com Arena. That's the iconic look. Purple is coming, but for Game 1 in LA the golds are exactly the right visual. Full credit for LA. The only concern going forward is that the Lakers might pivot to their black City Edition jersey and the black court later in the series, which would be a worse visual. For Saturday we're in the clear.
The Rockets are in their Statement Edition black road alternate. We would have preferred they go with their Icon Edition red, which is one of the cleanest road looks in the league and would have paired beautifully against the Lakers gold. The black alternate just doesn't pop on broadcast the same way. Half point off for Houston.
2026 NBA Playoffs Jersey Coverage
For the running Play-In Tournament jersey tracker, see our Play-In jersey matchups post. For the aesthetic review of Night 2 Play-In games, check out our Magic vs Sixers and Warriors vs Clippers jersey review. For more on how the broadcasts will look this postseason, see our NBA Playoffs broadcast networks guide and our broadcast teams ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Uniforms
What jerseys are the NBA teams wearing in Round 1 of the 2026 Playoffs?
All eight Round 1 opening weekend jersey matchups are official. Saturday: the Knicks wear home whites against the Hawks in black Statement Edition, the Cavaliers wear Classic Edition throwback blues at home against the Raptors in Icon Edition red, the Nuggets wear home whites against the Timberwolves in Statement Edition, and the Lakers wear Icon Edition gold at home against the Rockets in Statement Edition black. Sunday: the Celtics wear home whites against the 76ers in Icon Edition royal blue, the Pistons wear home whites against the Magic in Statement Edition black, the Thunder wear Icon Edition blue at home against the Suns in Statement Edition black, and the Spurs wear City Edition Fiesta black at home against the Trail Blazers in Association Edition white.
When does Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs start?
Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs tips off Saturday, April 18 with four games and continues Sunday, April 19 with four more. The Saturday slate features Raptors at Cavaliers, Timberwolves at Nuggets, Hawks at Knicks, and Rockets at Lakers. The Sunday slate features 76ers at Celtics, Magic at Pistons, Suns at Thunder, and Trail Blazers at Spurs.
Are the Lakers wearing gold in Round 1?
Yes for Game 1, no for Game 2. The Los Angeles Lakers wore their Icon Edition gold jersey at home for Game 1 of their Round 1 series against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night, which earned a 9.5 out of 10. For Game 2 on Tuesday the Lakers flipped to their City Edition black jersey on the black alternate court, which earned a 0 out of 10 and is now the worst-graded matchup of Round 1.
Are the Lakers wearing a City Edition jersey in the 2026 Playoffs?
Yes. The Los Angeles Lakers are wearing their City Edition black jersey at home for Game 2 against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, April 21, paired with the black alternate court at Crypto.com Arena. It is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have worn a City Edition jersey in the playoffs.
Are the Knicks wearing white in Round 1?
Yes. The New York Knicks are wearing their Association Edition white home jersey against the Atlanta Hawks for Game 1 of their Round 1 series at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Are the Spurs wearing the Fiesta jersey in Round 1?
Yes. The San Antonio Spurs are wearing their City Edition Fiesta black jersey at home for Game 1 of their Round 1 series against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center on Sunday. The Spurs have transformed Frost Bank Center into a full Fiesta playoff arena with pink, teal, orange, and yellow seat colors and matching court branding.
What is the best-looking Round 1 matchup so far?
Two matchups are tied at a perfect 10 out of 10. The 76ers at Celtics on Sunday, April 19 had Boston in their Association Edition whites at home and Philadelphia in their Icon Edition royal blue on the road on the parquet at TD Garden. The Trail Blazers at Spurs on Tuesday, April 21 had San Antonio back in their Association Edition whites at home after the Fiesta Game 1 treatment and Portland in their Icon Edition black on the road, a clean classic playoff visual at Frost Bank Center.
What is the lowest-scoring Round 1 matchup of opening weekend?
Two Sunday games tied for the lowest score at 6 out of 10. The Suns at Thunder lost points because Phoenix went with Statement Edition black on the road instead of their primary purple-and-orange road look, even though Oklahoma City genuinely looks great in their Icon Edition blue at home. The Trail Blazers at Spurs lost points because neither team is in their traditional white-versus-color matchup, even though the Spurs Fiesta is one of the most iconic alternate looks in the league.
What is the worst-graded Round 1 jersey matchup so far?
The Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 on Tuesday, April 21 is the lowest-graded jersey matchup of Round 1 at 0 out of 10. The Lakers are wearing their City Edition black jersey at home on the black alternate court at Crypto.com Arena. This is the first time in franchise history the Lakers have worn a City Edition jersey in the playoffs. The Rockets are in Association Edition white on the road. The black-on-black-on-black visual erases both teams' color identity and makes for the most forgettable broadcast visual of the postseason.
What are the Monday night Game 2 jerseys in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
Three Game 2s tip off Monday, April 20. The Raptors wear Icon Edition red at the Cavaliers in Classic Edition throwback blue (same matchup as Game 1, 7 out of 10). The Hawks wear Association Edition white at the Knicks in Statement Edition black (1 out of 10). The Timberwolves wear Association Edition white at the Nuggets in Statement Edition blue (3 out of 10). The Monday average is 3.7 out of 10.
What are the Tuesday night Game 2 jerseys in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
Three Game 2s tip off Tuesday, April 21. The Trail Blazers wear Icon Edition black at the Spurs in Association Edition white, with San Antonio flipping back from their Fiesta Game 1 look to a traditional home-white matchup (10 out of 10). The 76ers wear Association Edition white at the Celtics in Icon Edition green, with Boston flipping from their perfect-10 Game 1 whites to their away green at home (3 out of 10). The Rockets wear Association Edition white at the Lakers in City Edition black on the black alternate court at Crypto.com Arena, the first City Edition jersey in Lakers playoff history (0 out of 10). The Tuesday average is 4.3 out of 10.
What are the Wednesday night Game 2 jerseys in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
Two Game 2s tip off Wednesday, April 22. The Magic at Pistons repeat the Game 1 matchup with Orlando in Statement Edition black on the road and Detroit in Association Edition white at home (8 out of 10). The Suns at Thunder swing the other way, with Phoenix flipping from Statement Edition black to Association Edition white on the road and Oklahoma City flipping from Icon Edition blue to City Edition blue at home on a matching City Edition alternate court (6 out of 10). The Wednesday average is 7 out of 10.
Are the Thunder wearing a City Edition jersey in the 2026 Playoffs?
Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder are wearing their City Edition blue jersey at home for Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, April 22, paired with the matching City Edition alternate court at Paycom Center. It is the first City Edition wear of the postseason for Oklahoma City after opening the series in their Icon Edition blue for Game 1 on Sunday.
Does the Oklahoma City Thunder have an alternate court for the 2026 Playoffs?
Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder are pairing their City Edition blue jersey with a matching City Edition alternate court at Paycom Center for Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns. The alternate court carries the same City Edition design language as the jersey, giving the Paycom Center broadcast a fully branded City Edition visual from the jersey to the floor.
What jersey are the Phoenix Suns wearing for Game 2 against the Thunder?
The Phoenix Suns are wearing their Association Edition white road jersey for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, April 22, switching from the Statement Edition black they wore in Game 1. Wearing Association whites on the road is not the traditional playoff standard, but the white-against-Thunder-City-blue visual reads cleaner on broadcast than the Game 1 black-on-blue matchup.
Are the Pistons wearing home whites for Game 2 against the Magic?
Yes. The Detroit Pistons are wearing their Association Edition white home jersey for Game 2 against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, April 22, repeating the look from Game 1. Detroit is the only Round 1 home team to commit to their traditional Association whites for back-to-back playoff games so far, with the Nuggets, Knicks, and Celtics all flipping to alternates for Game 2.
Which NBA team has the best home white jersey commitment in Round 1 of the 2026 Playoffs?
The Detroit Pistons have the strongest Round 1 home-white commitment so far. The Pistons wore Association Edition white at Little Caesars Arena for both Game 1 on Sunday, April 19 and Game 2 on Wednesday, April 22. The Nuggets, Knicks, and Celtics all wore their Association whites in Game 1 but flipped to Statement or Icon Edition alternates for Game 2 at home. Round 1 home teams have worn a primary home look in 7 of 16 games (44%) through Wednesday.
Are the Knicks wearing white for Game 2 against the Hawks?
No. The New York Knicks are wearing their Statement Edition black jersey at home for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, switching from the Association Edition whites they wore in Game 1. The Hawks are coming in on the road in their Association Edition white instead of the Statement black they wore in Game 1. It earned a 1 out of 10 in our matchup grade.
How does the NBA decide which jerseys teams wear in the playoffs?
The home team selects their jersey first, and then the visiting team picks a jersey that provides enough visual contrast. Traditional playoff etiquette is home whites at home, but many teams in 2026 are choosing Statement, Icon, or Classic Edition alternates at home instead. The official jersey matchups are released by the league ahead of each playoff game.
Will you update this post with each round of the playoffs?
Yes. We'll continue tracking jersey matchups through the entire 2026 NBA Playoffs. As the series progress, we'll update each game's wear count from "Playoff Debut" to "2nd Wear" and beyond, and we'll add Round 2, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals coverage as those matchups are set.
Jersey matchups updated as the league releases them. We'll grade every game through the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
