The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs face off in the 2026 NBA Finals, but the preparation started months ago. To ensure a consistent bounce, the league sends four official balls to all 30 teams every January. This process allows the leather to age and develop a patina through sweat and dirt.

Since Wilson became the official provider in 2021-22, the league has shifted to pre-producing these balls rather than engraving them later. Rookies and G-League players typically do the dirty work of breaking them in. This prevents veterans from dealing with raw leather that can cause bloody fingertips during early use.

Leather reacts to humidity and heat, which changes how the ball behaves on the court. The NBA collects these broken-in balls as teams are eliminated, eventually shipping a total of 38 basketballs to the finalists. This logistics chain ensures players avoid surprises during the most high-stakes games of the season.

During the Western Conference finals, the league sent balls to Oklahoma City to prepare for a potential closeout. After San Antonio won Game 7, the Spurs took those balls on their flight. This logistical effort maximizes the time players have with the specific equipment they will use in the Finals.