NBA teams debut ABA-style uniforms for 50th anniversary

Four NBA teams have unveiled new Classic Edition uniforms to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 merger between the National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association. The Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs each released designs that replicate specific historical looks from the ABA era, accompanied by throwback court designs and scheduled debut dates for the upcoming season.

The San Antonio Spurs' uniform is a direct reproduction of the team's original home look from its early years in the city. The jersey features an arched "Spurs" wordmark on the chest, mirroring the style worn by the first players to represent the franchise after its 1973 relocation from Dallas. Jordan Mandelkorn, Vice President of Marketing, Creative and Retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, noted that this uniform offers a distinct chance to highlight the history that defined both the team and the city. The design is associated with the George Gervin era at HemisFair Arena. The Spurs are scheduled to debut the jersey on November 4, 2026, against the Dallas Mavericks at the Frost Bank Center, which will be the first of nine "Classic Nights" during the season.

The Denver Nuggets' Classic Edition swaps the franchise's traditional navy and gold for an orange design honoring its late 1960s and early 1970s ABA heritage. The jersey features an arched "Denver" wordmark in black lettering with a white outline. The shorts display a black Rockets logo on the left leg, referencing the team's original 1967 identity before it rebranded to the Nuggets. A specialty throwback court at Ball Arena will match the vintage aesthetic during designated games. The Nuggets will debut these uniforms on December 27, 2026, in a home game against the Indiana Pacers, marking one of nine total regular-season games where the team will wear the commemorative look.

The Indiana Pacers' 2026-27 Classic Edition replicates the team's 1971-74 road design from its ABA powerhouse era. The royal blue jerseys feature a white "Indiana" wordmark across the chest, gold numbering, and a gold racing stripe around the armholes. A gold-and-white striping pattern runs down the right side of both the jersey and shorts. The shorts also feature a vintage 1967 logo depicting a cartoonish white hand holding a basketball inside the letter "P." The franchise announced that players will wear these retro threads for 15 games, including seven home dates at Gainbridge Fieldhouse where a custom throwback court design and retro game-night experience will be introduced.

The Brooklyn Nets' uniform revives the iconic New York Nets design, utilizing a red, white, and blue colorway paired with an ABA patriotic colored basketball. The white jersey features side paneling with retro stars, replicating the look worn by Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J" Erving during his tenure leading the team to ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. A matching throwback court design will be installed at Barclays Center. The Nets are scheduled to debut these retro threads on Opening Night, October 21, 2026, against the Charlotte Hornets.