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jun 01 2026The Larry O'Brien Trophy will make its return to the NBA Finals court. The league is bringing back the championship trophy on the hardwood for the series between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, a visual detail not seen since the 2009 Finals.
The NBA unveiled the first images of the courts at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and Madison Square Garden in New York, featuring the Larry O'Brien Trophy emblazoned at center court alongside each franchise's logo. The move marks the return of one of the most iconic elements of the NBA Finals, absent for the past 17 years.
The last time the trophy was displayed on the court was during the 2009 Finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to claim the championship. Since then, the NBA had opted for more understated designs, moving away from that classic aesthetic that many fans directly associated with the pursuit of the ring.
The championship series tips off this Wednesday in San Antonio, with the Spurs hosting the first two games. The third and fourth contests will take place in New York, at Madison Square Garden, which will once again host an NBA Finals matchup with maximum anticipation.
San Antonio advanced to the Finals after eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, while the New York Knicks earned their spot by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East. Beyond the on-court battle, the return of the Larry O'Brien Trophy to the court adds a symbolic component to an NBA Finals with historic significance.
