NBA restores Larry O'Brien midcourt logo

The NBA has restored one of the most recognizable pieces of its Finals presentation: the Larry O’Brien Trophy logo at center court. The league said Sunday that the trophy image will appear on the floor for 2026 NBA Finals games at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and Madison Square Garden in New York. The script “The Finals” logo will also return on either side of the court. Game 1 of the New York Knicks-San Antonio Spurs series is set for Wednesday night on ABC. ### What exactly is coming back on the floor? The NBA said the Larry O’Brien Trophy image will be painted at midcourt for Finals games in both host arenas. Images released by the league showed the trophy emblem centered on the courts in San Antonio and New York, with “The Finals” script placed on both sides. (nba.com) The Associated Press reported that the change was announced with little buildup beyond a social media post from the league. The court treatment applies to games in both cities during this year’s championship series between the Knicks and Spurs. (nba.com) ### Why is this drawing attention now? The key historical detail is that the large midcourt trophy had been absent from the Finals for years. ESPN reported in earlier coverage that the large Larry O’Brien Trophy logo and the Finals script were returning for the first time since 2009. (fox44news.com) SportsLogos.net, citing the league’s announcement, said the return follows 11 seasons without those court markings in the Finals. That gap made the floor design a recurring point of discussion among fans and media during recent championship series. (espn.com) ### Where will fans see the updated courts? Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and Madison Square Garden in New York are the two Finals venues this year. AP said the trophy image will be painted at midcourt for games in both buildings. KSAT, citing league images, showed the Spurs’ court with the trophy logo in place for the San Antonio games. (news.sportslogos.net) NBA.com published a separate gallery and announcement showing the same treatment for both Finals sites. ### Which teams are playing, and when does the series start? (fox44news.com) The 2026 NBA Finals matchup is New York Knicks against San Antonio Spurs. NBA.com’s schedule page said the series tips off Wednesday, June 3, with San Antonio at home for Game 1. ABC will carry the series exclusively, according to the league’s broadcast release. That release said Game 1 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (ksat.com) ET and identified the matchup as Knicks versus Spurs. ### What else is part of the Finals presentation? The league’s floor update is part of a broader Finals rollout that includes media day programming and expanded broadcast coverage. (nba.com) NBA.com said Podcast Row events were scheduled in San Antonio following media day on June 2, while ABC’s coverage begins June 3. Wednesday, June 3, is the next concrete date in the story: the Knicks and Spurs open the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio, with the restored trophy logo visible at center court on ABC. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)