NBA Teams Unveil ABA Throwback Uniforms for 50th Anniversary Merger Celebration

Four NBA teams—the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs—have introduced ABA-style Classic Edition uniforms to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 NBA-ABA merger.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are honoring their ABA roots with a direct reproduction of their original home uniform from their early years. The design features an arched "Spurs" wordmark on the chest, mirroring the look worn by the team in 1973 after relocating from Dallas. According to Jordan Mandelkorn, Vice President of Marketing, Creative and Retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, this uniform provides an opportunity to celebrate the history that shaped the team and the city.

The accompanying throwback court design will also feature the ABA 50th-anniversary logo. The jerseys, which were made famous during the George Gervin era, are scheduled to debut on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, against the Dallas Mavericks. This marks the first of nine "Classic Nights" planned for the season. The shorts incorporate a black diamond backdrop with a classic cowboy spur, enhancing the retro aesthetic.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets' city edition uniforms for the upcoming season swap their traditional navy and gold for a orange design, paying tribute to the team's late 1960s and early 1970s ABA heritage. The jersey includes an arched "Denver" wordmark in black with a white outline. The shorts feature a black Rockets logo, referencing the team's original 1967 identity as the Denver Rockets before rebranding.

The organization has also announced a specialty throwback court at Ball Arena to match the vintage theme for designated games. The team will first wear these retro uniforms on Sunday, December 27, 2026, during a home game against the Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets will wear this commemorative look for nine regular-season games, seven at home and two on the road.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers' 2026–27 Classic Edition uniform is a nod to the franchise's ABA era, replicating the team’s 1971–74 road design. The royal blue jerseys feature a white "Indiana" wordmark across the chest, accented by gold numbering and a gold racing stripe. A gold-and-white striping pattern runs down the right side of both the jersey and shorts.

This design has drawn comparisons to the 1970-72 Atlanta Hawks jersey. A notable detail is the vintage 1967 logo on the shorts, which includes a cartoonish white hand holding a basketball. The Pacers will wear these uniforms for 15 games throughout the season, including seven home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which will feature a custom throwback court and retro game-night experience.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets' Classic Edition uniform revisits the iconic New York Nets design, celebrating the franchise's ABA origins. The red, white, and blue color scheme complements a patriotic, period-specific basketball. The white jersey features retro stars on the side panels, reminiscent of the look worn by Julius "Dr. J" Erving when the team won ABA championships in 1974 and 1976.

To accompany the uniform, the Barclays Center will feature a matching throwback court design. The team is set to debut these retro threads on Opening Night, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, against the Charlotte Hornets.

Overall, these designs are recognized for honoring the legacy of the ABA and its merger with the NBA. The article notes that these throwback uniforms are considered an improvement over the "Specter Edition Uniforms" released by Nike and the NBA in September.