The NBA Finals isn’t merely a set of basketball games. It’s a spectacle, produced, packaged and managed by the league office.
Unpredictability finds a home during basketball’s greatest competition. Superstars can turn to ashes as defenders stay tethered to their hips. Role players can become immortal amid a volley of made baskets.
Still, there are plenty of tools that have been used to drum up interest in the event, including the on-court decal.
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On-court Finals signage was once a fixture of the championship series. Now, it’s little more than a memory. Not everyone is pleased with that shift, however.
With that, here’s what you need to know about the Finals court controversy that has taken social media by storm during the Thunder and Pacers’ clashes in 2025.
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NBA Finals court controversy, explained
Among the traditions lost to time, modernism and the wretched clutch of advertisement that has shaped the sports landscape as of late is the Larry O’Brien trophy decal. Once a centerpiece of the Finals, the insignia has seen its usage falter as of late. With the exception of the 2017 and 2020 Finals, the league has spurned on-court art, opting to digitally superimpose the signage — or avoid it all together.
That can make for a fairly bland viewing experience. Courts are bereft of the pomp and circumstance that the competition was known for in prior seasons. Unsurprisingly, that has brought about a swell of rancor among basketball-watchers galore.
It might just be digitally projected, but it’s progress. (Shoutout to @CJToledano) pic.twitter.com/JEjoTRptuA
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 9, 2025
The league employed various iterations of on-court sigils since its debut in the 1989 Finals between the Pistons and Lakers. From 1989-2004, courts were emblazoned with an emblem showing off the scripted Finals font.
In 2005, the NBA made a change. The Spurs’ seven-game duel with the Pistons was marked by clutch shots, star performances and bench depth. It also featured a giant Larry O’Brien decal that took over half court.
The rose-gold prize lied in state for each of the following four competitions. But it was done away with after Los Angeles bested Orlando in the 2009 Finals, with the league briefly returning to smaller decals before removing it all together, save for a few exceptions, in 2015. League officials cited safety concerns as reason for the logo’s removal.
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The look was reintroduced, albeit in digital form, during Game 2. Reactions were largely negative; the trophies looked fairly shoddy and pixelated while the scripted logo included a conspicuous YouTubeTV logo. Is nothing sacred?
WHAT ARE THOSE ON THE “COURT”!?
IT LOOKS TERRIBLE!!
PUT THE FINALS TROPHIES ON THE ACTUAL COURT NOT JUST ON TV
THIS IS NOT WHAT WE MEANT!! 🤦🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/9NdVCRTuQZ
— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) June 9, 2025
The trophies have been replaced! https://t.co/yLoKr2agnZ pic.twitter.com/tNPuOm5PBE
— Mr. Statistician Face Man (@tomhaberstroh) June 9, 2025
Nevertheless, the backlash seems to have inspired activity out of the league. While it’s unclear if the remaining fixtures in this year’s Finals will feature actual on-court labels, commissioner Adam Silver revealed the league is considering bringing them back in 2026, according to The Athletic.
“Maybe there’s a way around it,” Silver told reporters during a charity event after Game 1. “To be honest, I hadn’t thought all that much about it until I (saw) it (on social media). I’m nostalgic, as well, for certain things. And also, I think for a media-driven culture, whether it’s people watching live or seeing those images on social media, it’s nice when you’re looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it’s a special event. So, we’ll look at it.”
The league isn’t opposed to having images scrawled across the hardwood. The NBA Cup was plastered across playing surfaces throughout the regular season.
Perhaps the Finals will get a similar facelift before long. If so, expect basketball fans to celebrate vociferously.
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