Larry O’Brien Trophy image returns to center court for NBA Finals

The NBA announced Sunday that the image of the Larry O’Brien Trophy -- the one given to the winner of the finals -- will be “painted at midcourt for games at both the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and Madison Square Garden” in N.Y. for this season’s title series, according to Tim Reynolds of the AP. Also back is the “script logo for ‘The Finals’ -- to be on either side of the court.” The series between the Spurs and Knicks starts Wednesday in San Antonio. It is the first time since the 2009 finals between the Lakers and Magic that the title series will feature the trophy logo at midcourt. The finals wordmark and logo last appeared on the court during the 2014 finals between the Spurs and the Heat. This year’s version comes with a “new twist: the center court trophy logo will be integrated with the participating team’s own branding” (AP, 5/31).

ADDS TO THE EXCITEMENT: THE ATHLETIC’s Devon Henderson noted the logo will be painted “directly onto the hardwood.” The 2025 NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder featured digital court insignia, including “The Finals” script logo on the sides of the court. But the move “sparked backlash from fans who pleaded with the league to bring back the authentic imagery” (THE ATHLETIC, 5/31). YAHOO SPORTS’ Ryan Young wrote while the court design “won’t impact the games any, the classic look is sure to only add to what is expected to be a thrilling series over the next few weeks” (YAHOO SPORTS, 5/31).