What happened: The distinctive court designs of the NBA Cup sparked renewed discussion over their bold visual styling. Commentary drew parallels between the bright reds, greens, and yellows of the tournament hardwoods and the vivid color schemes characteristic of the 1970s.

Why it matters: The NBA introduced customized, fully painted courts across the league to differentiate tournament group-play and knockout games from standard regular-season matchups. The bold designs frequently generate fan and media debate during tournament nights while establishing a distinct visual identity for the competition.

What to watch: Tournament play continues throughout November as teams compete for spots in the knockout rounds.