Wednesday’s 2026 NBA Finals pits the New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs, echoing the 1999 showdown. Beyond the matchup, the league restores the mid‑2000s look by painting the Larry O’Brien Trophy directly onto center court. The design first appeared in 2005, vanished after 2009, and resurfaces as a nod to fan nostalgia.

Commissioner Adam Silver explained last season that the decals were dropped after players complained they made the floor slippery. Social media clips of the old decals kept circulating, fueling calls for a revival. The NBA tested a digital version in a 2025 Thunder‑Pacers game before confirming the physical repaint for this year’s series.

San Antonio is no stranger to the trophy‑centered floor, having won championships on it in 2005 and 2007. New York, meanwhile, returns to the Finals stage for the first time since 1999, hoping the historic backdrop adds momentum. The league’s visual throwback now frames every tip‑off of what could become a classic series.

Fans will see the trophy emblazoned on both the New York Knicks Madison Square Garden‑adjacent court and the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center floor, a visual link to five past Finals that featured the design—from the 2005 Spurs‑Pistons clash to the 2009 Lakers‑Magic showdown. The aesthetic revival underscores the NBA’s willingness to blend tradition with modern branding.