Four NBA Teams Unveil ABA Throwback Uniforms for 2026

Four NBA franchises are bringing their American Basketball Association history back to the court for the 2026-27 season, with the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs unveiling commemorative uniforms on October 12, 2026. The designs mark 50 years since the 1976 merger that brought former ABA teams into the NBA, with special courts planned for selected games.

According to announcements reported by KSAT, Denver7 and Fox News, the teams will wear their retro designs during designated matchups throughout the season. The collections revisit uniforms from the ABA era, highlighting the franchises' original colors, lettering and historical logos.

The Brooklyn Nets' design received the highest ranking in Fox News' assessment of the four releases, while the Denver Nuggets' uniform ranked last. The Indiana Pacers placed second, and the San Antonio Spurs received an honorable mention in the October 12 review.

San Antonio's silver Nike Classic Edition uniform recreates the team's early home look after its relocation from Dallas in 1973. The design features the original arched Spurs wordmark, an ABA-themed commemorative tag and a black diamond pattern surrounding the historic spur emblem on the shorts.

Jordan Mandelkorn, vice president of marketing, creative and retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, said the uniform connects the franchise's past with its present-day supporters.

"Honoring our ABA roots through this Classic Edition uniform gives us an opportunity to celebrate the history that helped shape the Spurs and our city," said Jordan Mandelkorn, vice president of marketing, creative and retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment.

The Spurs' tribute also includes a matching court featuring the ABA 50th-anniversary logo. The team plans to debut both designs on November 4, 2026, against the Dallas Mavericks at the Frost Bank Center, beginning a series of nine Classic Nights during the season.

According to KSAT, the design recalls the uniforms worn during the George Gervin era at HemisFair Arena. San Antonio joined the NBA in 1976 alongside the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and New York Nets, the franchise that later became the Brooklyn Nets.

Denver's tribute revisits the franchise's origins as the Denver Rockets, an ABA team established in 1967. The organization changed its name to the Nuggets in 1974 to avoid a naming conflict with the NBA's Houston Rockets, according to Denver7.

The new Denver uniform features an orange base, an arched Denver wordmark and the original Rockets logo on the shorts. The team will also use a matching retro court at Ball Arena during selected games.

According to Denver7, the Nuggets will wear the uniforms for nine games, including seven at Ball Arena. The published schedule lists December 27 against Indiana, January 21 against Washington, February 4 against Dallas, February 11 against Chicago, March 1 against Brooklyn, March 3 against San Antonio and April 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Indiana Pacers' Classic Edition design draws from their 1971-74 ABA road uniforms. Fox News described the look as a royal blue jersey with an arched white Indiana wordmark, gold numbering and gold-and-white striping along the sides.

The uniform also features a vintage 1967 logo on the shorts. The Pacers plan to wear the design for 15 games during the 2026-27 season, including seven home dates at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where a custom throwback court and retro-themed game-night experience are planned.

Brooklyn's uniform revives the red, white and blue design associated with the New York Nets during their ABA years. According to Fox News, the white jersey incorporates patriotic colors and retro star-patterned side panels inspired by the look worn during Julius "Dr. J" Erving's time with the team.

The Nets will introduce their uniforms on October 21, 2026, against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center. The matching court will extend the historical theme to the team's home floor.

The commemorative merchandise will also become available on different schedules. KSAT reported that Spurs merchandise would enter presale at 10 a.m. on October 13, with general sales beginning October 20, while Denver7 reported that Nuggets merchandise featuring the ABA-inspired colors would go on sale October 19.