The new NBA season is almost upon us, and, as ever, fans will be preparing for around eight to nine months of excitement or extreme disappointment. There are, of course, several intriguing matchups early on in the season, not least the opener between the champions, the OKC, and the likely-to-improve Houston Rockets.
Most fans will be looking at the games to assess Playoff chances or trying to find value in the NBA betting spreads when looking at the first round of games, but we wanted to assess the matchups based on the best logos. It’s just for fun, of course, and not based on anything scientific. But here is every team’s first game of the 2025/26 NBA season based on a battle of the best logos.
Note that some teams appear twice due to the schedule:
Tuesday, October 21
Rockets @ Thunder
Two, let’s say, energetic designs. The Rockets’ sharp red R lifting off like a launchpad is pretty cool, but the Thunder’s logo feels a little dated with too much going on.
Winner: Houston Rockets
Warriors @ Lakers
The Warriors’ Golden Gate Bridge is distinctive, but the Lakers’ timeless purple-and-gold basketball with that slanted wordmark is pure Hollywood legacy.
Winner: Los Angeles Lakers
Nets @ Hornets
The Nets’ simple black-and-white “B” shield is minimalist to the point of boredom, really adding nothing to the team’s identity. The Hornets’ teal-and-purple insect logo buzzes – we like this one.
Winner: Charlotte Hornets
Heat @ Magic
The Heat’s flaming basketball through a hoop is iconic and one of the NBA’s best. The Magic’s star-streaked basketball feels a bit too 1990s for us.
Winner: Miami Heat
Cavaliers @ Knicks
Cleveland’s sword and shield combo is great, but the Knicks’ orange basketball and block lettering are instantly recognizable worldwide. They shouldn’t mess with this too much in the future.
Winner: New York Knicks
Raptors @ Hawks
The Raptors’ red claw mark is okay, we guess, but the Hawks’ circular logo with a bird head is a good example of how to pull off a minimalist design while retaining identity.
Winner: Atlanta Hawks
76ers @ Celtics
The Sixers’ patriotic ball is neat, but Boston’s green shamrock and leprechaun heritage is unbeatable for tradition. It could belong to any era of the NBA, and that’s why it’s superb.
Winner: Boston Celtics
Pelicans @ Grizzlies
Both teams have solid, modern logos. The Pelicans’ stylized bird wingspan is underrated, but that snarling bear face with glowing eyes gives Memphis the edge in our book.
Winner: Memphis Grizzlies
Pistons @ Bulls
The Pistons’ circular logo is straightforward but somewhat uninspired. The Bulls’ logo hasn’t changed in decades, and it doesn’t need to.
Winner: Chicago Bulls
Wizards @ Bucks
The Wizards’ “DC monument” logo is fine, but the Bucks’ angular stag head is elite-tier sports design.
Winner: Milwaukee Bucks
Clippers @ Jazz
The Clippers’ ship’s wheel is okay but lacking a bit of, let’s say, soul. The Jazz’s retro music note mountain logo is on point. Again, it captures the team's identity without going over the top.
Winner: Utah Jazz
Spurs @ Mavericks
Two good ones here. The Spurs’ logo, built around the spur-shaped “U,” is one of the best in the league. The Mavs’ horse head crest is top-tier, too. We can’t pick a winner between these two.
Winner: Tie
Kings @ Suns
Sacramento’s crown-and-basketball combo does what it says on the tin, but the Suns’ flaming sunburst basketball is one of the league’s coolest.
Winner: Phoenix Suns
Timberwolves @ Trail Blazers
The Wolves’ neon-eyed wolf head is modern sports perfection. Portland’s pinwheel isn’t bad, but it’s hard to beat a glowing predator.
Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves
Thunder @ Pacers
The Pacers’ “P” with a racing stripe has heritage, but OKC’s logo remains one of the league’s least inspired. This is the second time OKC has lost on this list – an omen for the season ahead for the champs?
Winner: Indiana Pacers
Nuggets @ Warriors
Denver’s crossed pickaxes and mountain peak logo are perfect. The Warriors’ bridge is, as mentioned, not bad, but Denver’s redesign is one of the best in the NBA.
Winner: Denver Nuggets