Every NBA Cup court design, ranked from best to worst for in-season tournament

Custom courts are back for the NBA Cup in-season tournament. Let’s rank the designs.

The NBA revealed their court designs for the Emirates NBA Cup, and I’ve got to say, most of these are just … fine. Some of the designs are pretty fun, but largely I think the courts are just okay. Some of the on-court designs are much better than last year, but none that truly stand out in a good or bad way.

However, we’re here to tier list and rank the top courts, regardless. So that’s what we’re going to do. Here are my rankings of the NBA Cup Courts that are on display this season.

S-Tier

Dallas Mavericks

You’ll see in this tier there’s a lot of courts with the skyline in the court. I’m a big fan of Dallas’ skyline and the blue works really well. I’m a big fan.

Los Angeles Lakers

Second verse, same as the first. I really like having the stars with the championships inside of them. It’s another great homage and touch for a team that’s won a lot of titles.

New York Knicks

Sensing a trend? Outside of the skyline, I like having the Knicks name on the baselines instead of the sidelines. It gives it a much cleaner look that I can really appreciate.

A-Tier

Charlotte Hornets

Look I’m not the biggest fan of “The Hive is Alive,” but I like the honeycomb on the court. The contrasting colors make it work without being super annoying and an eyesore. Pretty fun court!

Chicago Bulls

Simple, clean, effective. The black and red always work, and the Bull in the background isn’t actually too bad, like some others we’ll see later.

Miami Heat

The top of the Heat logo being used on the court instead of the full one, plus the classic look with the name on the baselines. Nice and clean by Miami.

Milwaukee Bucks

I really like the horns here on the baseline. The Fear the Deer is okay, but I love the actual design of the court and the usage of cream and blue.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The green is a bit off-putting, especially because it’s two separate tones, but I love the tree design on the court. Add in the cool name font on the baselines and you get a very good court.

Portland Trail Blazers

I absolutely love the Blazers’ court. The city of roses on the side combined with the roses on the court are really cool, and I want the Blazers to incorporate them more. My only complaint is that the roses might not have enough definition to them.

B-Tier

Atlanta Hawks

It’s cool, I like the ATL on the court and the colors all mesh together well. Not spectacular, but still solid.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Again, I like it. Nothing spectacular about the court, but it’s got a nice design and it doesn’t feel to busy. It passes.

Utah Jazz

Love having the mountain range on the court, it’s really sick and it plays into the new jerseys Utah has. However, I wish they would’ve done more with this court. Make it stand out a bit more!

San Antonio Spurs

Same as the Jazz above them, but I think the Texas outline with the spur can be much bigger and more defined. However, I do like the tapestry design on the sideline, though. It’s nice, albeit a step down from the A-tier.

C-Tier

Boston Celtics

As much as I love the Bill Russell homage on the sidelines…I absolutely hate these lines on the court. It feels like too much is going on, and can feel a bit disorienting. This court has the potential to be good, and yet it’s not.

Brooklyn Nets

Again, just very disorienting. It feels like I’m watching basketball on a kaleidescope.

Houston Rockets

This court looks like a graphic design 101 project. And yet…it’s fine? All the lines are a bit too much and can be taken down, but outside of that it’s just a meh court.

Indiana Pacers

This BOOM is so big the Costco Guys are jealous.

Los Angeles Clippers

It’s just…meh. Like above anything else, it’s just an ok court. Nothing more, nothing less.

Philadelphia 76ers

I like the script on the sideline and baselines. Other than that…yeah it just feels like a Sixers court.

Orlando Magic

SO. MANY. STARS.

Sacramento Kings

I get having the background of the Kings logo, but man all those lines are a bit much, no? It’s just a lot on the eyes.

Toronto Raptors

While I can appreciate the throwback to the ‘90s with the court resembling the iconic jerseys, I’m not sure I like the sidelines very much. Other than that, it’s pretty cool.

D-Tier

Denver Nuggets

Please, enough of the 5280 on everything. ENOUGH.

Golden State Warriors

I feel like the Warriors could’ve been so much more creative than what they’ve done, but they went the safe route. It’s just bland.

Memphis Grizzlies

I’m sorry, Memphis. What’s going on here with the court design?

New Orleans Pelicans

Big Pelican sees all. Big Pelican knows all. Big Pelican knows what you did. Big Pelican is coming for you.

Oklahoma City Thunder

I wish I was a fan of this court, but I’m not. I really don’t like the size of the logo here, and the sideline feels really bland. Just felt like they could do more.

Washington Wizards

The helping hand reaching out here is funky, but man this court feels like a YMCA court.

Detroit Pistons

There’s just far too much going on with this court. I don’t think you need as much of Pistons logo as you have on the entire floor, it’s just too busy.

Phoenix Suns

The gradient at the bottom would be cool if they incorporated more purple literally anywhere else on the floor, and the PHX logo is fine if not faded. They left so much opportunity on the table, and I think they kinda blew it.