NBA Teams Unveil ABA-Style Uniforms for Historic Merger Celebration
Introduction
On Monday, four NBA teams revealed their new Classic Edition uniforms inspired by the styles of the American Basketball Association (ABA). This unveiling by the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 NBA-ABA merger. Here’s an insight into the new designs.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs’ uniforms offer a retro look, directly replicating the team’s original home attire from their early days in the city. A notable feature is the arched “Spurs” wordmark on the chest, reflecting the design worn by the franchise when it moved from Dallas in 1973.
Jordan Mandelkorn, Vice President of Marketing at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, explained that celebrating their ABA roots through this uniform is a unique chance to highlight the history that has shaped both the team and San Antonio. Scheduled to debut on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center, these uniforms are part of nine “Classic Nights” throughout the season.
The uniform’s design was popularized during George Gervin’s time at the HemisFair Arena. The accompanying shorts, featuring a black diamond backdrop and classic cowboy spur, reinforce the vintage style.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets introduced a city edition uniform with a somewhat dull orange design, moving away from their traditional colors. This outfit highlights the team’s history in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the ABA.
The uniform sports a “Denver” wordmark across the chest and black Rockets logo shorts, linking back to their original identity as the Denver Rockets. Alongside these, a matching throwback court design will be showcased at Ball Arena during certain games. The official debut is set for Sunday, December 27, 2026, against the Indiana Pacers.
Despite its historical roots, the simplistic design may not resonate well with fans.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers’ Classic Edition uniform pays homage to their powerful era in the ABA. Replicating the team’s 1971–74 road design, the jersey features a royal blue color, white “Indiana” wordmark, and gold details.
This design’s highlight is the vintage 1967 logo on the shorts. The team plans to wear these uniforms in 15 games, with a retro game-night experience at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the designated home dates.
Though striking, the uniform shares similarities with the iconic early 70s Atlanta Hawks jersey.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets’ Classic Edition uniform revives the iconic New York Nets style, reflecting their ABA roots. With red, white and blue colors, it meshes well with an ABA-themed basketball.
The clean white jersey features retro stars on the side panels, echoing the look worn by Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Complemented by a retro court design at the Barclays Center, the uniform premieres on Opening Night, Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
This jersey exudes nostalgia and authenticity, a worthy addition to any fan’s collection.
Conclusion
These designs pay tribute to the rich histories of the NBA and ABA, much more favorably than recent modern uniforms. They effectively connect past greatness with the present game.