Behind the design of the Nike NBA City Edition uniform collection

Memphis Grizzlies

• Highlighted by chrome-inspired detailing, diamond textures and Memphis’s unapologetic and unique style, the Memphis Grizzlies 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform serves as a tribute to the artists and albums that define Memphis hip-hop and its raw sound. 
• The design was inspired by local hip-hop album art and pulls in colors and textures that resonate with the city, like the traditional Beale Street Blue framing “Grizzlies.” 
• As with the asymmetrical uniform silhouette, the oversized bear icon on the short connects to uniform systems in the past and present. 
• The stylized ‘M’ on the buckle, represents Memphis iconic ‘M-Bridge,’ highlighted with the chrome detailing and diamond texture seen throughout the uniform. 
• Just above the jersey tag, a Grizz grill, along with “For The M” is emblemized to represent the fierce pride Memphians rep for their music, their team and their city.
  

Miami Heat

• The Miami HEAT 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform, a follow-up to last season’s groundbreaking mashup concept, swaps black for white as its base color, while keeping all the other original design elements intact. 
• The uniform once again features mashed-up renderings of the team’s “MIAMI,” “HEAT,” and “ball and flame” wordmarks. It also includes the “15 STRONG” anthem mark, yellow rope trim, Championship years’ belt buckle and satin-striped side panels. 
• And building on the innovation of its predecessor, it’s putting the personalization possibilities into overdrive, unlocking four new HEAT number sets — ViceVersa, Floridians Home, Association and White Hot — with which players and fans can use to customize their jerseys, raising the total possible number combinations from 5,256 to 12,656.
  

Milwaukee Bucks

• The Milwaukee Bucks 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition embodies the spirit of Bronzeville, one of the most diverse and distinctive neighborhoods in the city. 
• Historically, Bronzeville was the African American economic, social and artistic hub of Milwaukee, and it has remained an integral center for the community’s culture and arts. 
• Home to a tapestry of vibrant and unique murals, including the patchwork that’s adapted into the jersey’s side panels, the iconic neighborhood is honored with every stitch of this year’s uniform. 
• But the real storytelling will not come from just the uniform, but rather from the actual people and artists who live there. 
• The Bucks will show many public art murals and city scenes around downtown. And in the arena, closeups of the jersey will be juxtaposed with sights and sounds from the neighborhood, including footage from the annual Bronzeville Arts and Cultural Festival and soundbites from Bronzeville Collective’s resident artists.
  The team will shine a light on the entire patchwork of the city, sharing what makes Milwaukee “The Gathering Place.” 

Minnesota Timberwolves 

• An artistic statement, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform is a colorful representation of the diverse, creative community that resides across the state. 
• This city is not just where the Timberwolves play — it’s a landscape where everyone who is passionate about their craft can thrive, whether they’re an athlete, performer or artist. 
• Every single uniform is one of a kind, featuring a unique multi-colored pattern, emphasizing the importance of leaving a distinctive creative mark, no matter the medium. It’s a testament to all the talented creatives throughout the state who are united by the arts. 
• The stylized Minnesota wordmark and jersey number were designed by a Minneapolis-based type designer and pay homage to an iconic building in the city’s skyline. 
• The shorts mirror the pattern on the jersey and feature a black and white primary logo.
  

New Orleans Pelicans

• Purple, green, and gold are the official colors of the Mardi Gras season and can be seen all over New Orleans on flags, floats, and traditional king cakes. Now, with the 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform, they’re the Pelicans’ colors, too. 
• Striping details feature these colors throughout the uniform, and three matching fleur-de-lis appear on the shorts. 
• The deep Purple Dynasty base color represents an evolution from past Mardi Gras uniforms and pays respect to the royalty that Mardi Gras Krewes elect each season to preside over their parades and festivities. 
• From head to toe, this uniform is a celebration of the city, the rich culture behind its carnival season, and the greatest show on earth, Mardi Gras — all part of a unique place the Pelicans are proud to call home.

New York Knicks 

• The history of the orange and blue is full of memorable players — but there’s something special about those teams from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. That’s why they’re the inspiration behind this year’s New York Knicks Nike NBA City Edition uniform. 
• Designed in partnership with Kith, this uniform is a throwback to the teamwork displayed by those legendary Knicks, bridging the gap between the past and present. 
• The jersey features a V-neck that’s inspired by this iconic era, while also showcasing inverted colors from the team’s 1998-2012 seasons. 
• There’s an updated New York workmark on the chest, and the Nike NYC can be spotted on both the jersey and shorts, another tip of the cap to the mecca of basketball.
  

Oklahoma City Thunder 

• The Oklahoma City Thunder 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform honors the people of Oklahoma and represents the collective experiences of what it means to be an Oklahoman. 
• Oklahomans are driven by a distinct set of values called The Oklahoma Standard, which is built on a foundation of service, honor and kindness. It’s who they are. It’s in their DNA. And it’s as uniquely Oklahoman as the red soil that makes up the foundation of the state. 
• That very Standard (Service. Honor. Kindness.) is printed inside the uniform, right over the heart of those who wear it. 
• The “THUNDER” across the chest unifies the state, from the Red River to the plains to the panhandle. 
• The belt buckle features a map of all 77 counties in Oklahoma, and seven stripes down each side panel also represent those counties — and everyone who lives and works there together. 
• Oklahoma’s historical terrain is featured along the side panels as a cultural signifier, symbolizing the grit, perseverance, sorrow, pain, spirit and resilience they were founded on and continue to embody.
  

Orlando Magic 

• The 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform for the Orlando Magic celebrates the team’s strength and fortitude, its ability to protect its kingdom. 
• The team’s goal is simple — to conquer the basketball world. But the path to victory is arduous. It takes great discipline and the heart of a champion. As a legion of one, the Orlando Magic put on their armor and go to battle on the court. 
• This all-black uniform may appear unassuming at first glance, but upon closer inspection, you’ll see that it reveals a metallic gray accent, evoking a suit of armor. 
• A diamond pattern covering the jersey and shorts adds texture and signifies a knight-worthy line of defense. 
• They wear the Magic star like a badge of honor and the pinstripes with pride, with the kingdom’s name emblazoned across the chest wordmark of the jersey. 
• They’ll fight for the honor of Orlando with a full-court press toward the future now.
  

Philadelphia 76ers

• Inspired by the Greek translation of Philadelphia, meaning “City of Brotherly Love,” the Philadelphia 76ers 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform recognizes that the game of basketball extends far beyond any single era, league or team. 
• The Philadelphia 76ers are a storied franchise — with every generation comes a set of icons, stories and indelible memories that all come to love and are inspired to share. 
• This city has always embraced the spirit of kinship and rivalry, through long-tenured high school and concrete showdowns, 1v1’s, 3v3’s, 5v5’s and more. 
• The minimalistic design of the uniform and hand-drawn script lettering on the front chest honors that classic basketball — and celebrates a look embraced throughout all leagues and levels of play. 
• A Circle of Stars logo on the waistband and the Bicentennial-inspired “76” on the shorts reference Philadelphia’s role in our country’s history as well.
  

Phoenix Suns

• The Phoenix Suns, Arizona’s first professional team, and the 22 indigenous tribes that have called this region home for thousands of years have a shared respect for family, community and the environment — and a shared love for basketball.
• The team’s 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform celebrates those Native American cultures and the passion for the game that connects us. 
• The uniform’s turquoise base color represents the protection, or living, stone, which carries special meaning among the local indigenous community. 
• The jersey features the Suns’ primary sunburst logo, centered on the chest, and a red trim that represents the color of the land and soil found across the state. 
• The uniform’s side panels, which highlight a traditional stairstep pattern commonly depicted in regional indigenous art, are bordered by a black tape feature that directly translates to “the sun” in all of Arizona’s native tribal languages. 
• The belt buckle displays a new logo, featuring the PHX wordmark and a basketball surrounded by 22 red, yellow, white and black feathers — the colors of the traditional medicine wheel, depicting the four directions and cycles of life — to represent Arizona’s tribal nations. 
• The waistband is designed to replicate sashes worn by some of the tribal nations, and the shorts give another nod to the indigenous community, with 22 arrowheads along the hemline.
  

Portland Trail Blazers

• The Portland Trail Blazers 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform falls respectively in the “Uniquely Portland” category. No other team would be as confident and quirky as to model their design around an airport’s carpet, but this one proudly pays homage to the signature PDX pattern, which reached local icon status in the ’90s. 
• The distinctive, vibrant geometric pattern displayed over a bright teal base took on a cult following as it became a tradition for travelers arriving and departing out of PDX to take photos of their feet safely planted on the colorful airport carpet. 
• The carpet’s quirky pattern streaks diagonally across the black jersey, with a familiar “Blazers” sash featured across the chest. 
• The city’s airport code (and a common nickname) — “PDX” — is emblazoned on the chest, while the belt buckle showcases the team’s mantra, “RIPCITY.” (#RipCityCarpet) 
• The gold trophy icon on the back neck is in honor of the team’s 1977 Championship win.
  

Sacramento Kings 

• As this season will mark the 10th anniversary of the fight to keep the Kings in Sacramento, the team’s 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform is a tribute to a team and a city that are committed to staying — and rising — together. 
• The design pays homage to fans who rallied and refused to back down with a passion and connection to their team that is unmatched in the NBA. 
• For the first time in franchise history, the Kings have a gray uniform, a color inspired by the iconic Golden 1 Center. 
• “Sacramento” is on the front of the jersey for the first time since 2016 — and set in a 10th tin anniversary bevel. 
• The purple trim on the sides of the jersey and shorts resembles the architectural elements of the state-of-the-art arena located in the heart of downtown. And the phrase “Sacramento Proud” within the trim reminds everyone what connects the Kings to their team, their city and one other. 
• Its anthem includes the late, former NBA Commissioner David Stern’s signature, as well as his famous proclamation: “We’re going to keep this team in Sacramento.”
  

San Antonio Spurs

• The San Antonio Spurs 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform is inspired by the unforgettable style featured during the 1996 NBA All-Star Game in San Antonio. It’s like déjà vu, decades later as the team currently celebrates its 50th Anniversary. 
• The jerseys and shorts created for that contest were as bold and colorful as the basketball superstars who wore them. 
• With a rich, primary turquoise color, along with retro accents of pink, orange and black on the taping and waistband, this uniform provides a festive look. 
• The team’s iconic cowboy boot spur is displayed on the shorts, and it’s front and center on the jerseys. 
• Reviving this style is a fun way to honor the Spurs’ rich history, while shining a light on its inevitably bright future.

Toronto Raptors

• The Toronto Raptors 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform is a celebration of the team’s city and culture. 
• With classic black and gold styling and subtle details, the Raptors’ uniform nods to the diversity and unity of Toronto. 
• Toronto’s six boroughs are deconstructed to make a dynamic, embossed pattern on the base of the uniform. 
• On the vent is the chant that carried the team to their 2019 Championship, “We the North.” The same phrase is displayed in languages from around the world on the neck, arm and short trim — representing the diversity of the fans who surround the game. 
• The “Welcome Toronto” sign-off is embellished in gold, a greeting for those who visit and those who call it home.
  

Washington Wizards

• With a pink base and white accents throughout, the Washington Wizards 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition uniform, “Bloom,” pays tribute to the city’s iconic cherry blossoms. 
• Falling petals down the sides of the jersey blend with a pink-to-blue gradient that symbolizes how the cherry blossom petals from the trees that famously line the Tidal Basin drift into the water below. 
• The team’s brand new logo across the chest dots the “i” in “Washington”with a cherry blossom, putting a fresh, floral spin on the uniform. 
• Three distinct cherry blossoms sitting just above the official NBA tag are meant to mirror the three-star design of the Washington, D.C. flag.