With the NBA playoffs and postseason on fire, the squeaking of kicks on the hardwood can be heard throughout the stadiums. Even off the court the league’s elite are continuing to make the statement — showcasing some of the best NBA Playoffs shoes to date. Some of the league’s shining stars, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard, are not wearing sneakers just for performance sake, but also to show their keen sense of style. These athletes have been pairing their debut NBA Playoffs sneakers with eccentric colorways from their signature shoe lines, revving up fans during each game with killer cross-over moves and hard work, while looking good doing so.
For now, these exclusive designs have not been released to the general public (minus Kyrie’s lineup), but there are similar designs that can be found in the market which purposely could give the fans a real sense of these allstar’s soon-to-be styles. Performance also comes into play as highlighted by the NBA Playoffs shoes nature of presenting elite athletes with an opportunity to showcase their character and brand style through their appearance. So, even though we wait for the arriving kicks, let’s take a closer look at the following shoes that will make fans impatient for their individual release dates. Get your hands on these on-court NBA Playoffs shoes immediately.
Jordan Luka 2 – Football Gray/Black/Oxygen Purple
While we all patiently wait for the Luka 3 to be released, unfortunately, not until July, this sneaker and the one below are great options for those looking to sport some fresh Luka Jordan kicks. The Luka 2’s in this oh-so-soft purple-gray mix, by Jordan features a cage architecture, which delivers enhanced stability as well as a stacked midsole that gives great responsive cushioning.
The design is unique because it features a thick insole made of flexible material held together by plates for support, thus allowing for stability and the best comfort, especially during sideways movements, i.e. stopping on a dime. Featuring a blend of firm foam and Formula23 foam, this shoe supports soft comfort while still maintaining stability, therefore making it a reliable choice for tennis players who desire efficiency without sacrificing effectiveness.
Luka 2 – White/Hyper Pink/Black
Another sneaker hot off the press on Nike’s site is the Luka 2 in a head-turning colorway. The almost solid white sneaker gets some life with spackled Hyper Pink pops of color throughout and the Jumpman logo on the soles. While we could definitely see Luka rocking this pair as his NBA Playoffs shoes, ya need to pick up a pair because they’re selling fast on Nike, so grab ’em before they go!
ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Home” – White
The one signature shoe line that debuted for some of the best NBA Playoffs shoes and is actually available to the public is Kyrie Irving’s ANTA KAI 1 “Playoff Pack.” The shoe pack continues to celebrate different members of Kai’s tribe, while focusing in on his team, the Mavericks, and Dallas. While they flew off the shelves on Anta’s site, aftermarket resellers, like StockX, still have them available!
The ANTA home shoes are brightly colored, with the green leaves and pink flower lace loops. These colors accentuate a white color of the upper, portraying images of beautiful nature motives. A crip golden ANTA and KAI logos represents the Larry O’Brien trophy and the Mavs’ goals — to win it all. The toes present the famous Native American-style pattern of Irving’s “Artist on Court” colorway, but with different patterns in shades of green, deep sea blue, and green grass, keeping the shoe as symbolic as before, including a printed feather tag like Irving’s own earrings style.
ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Away” – Navy
The hotter trending sneaker than the white version, this stunning navy colorway is slightly more expensive. The ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Navy”
is keeping similar design elements as it has a deep sea blue colored base with neon lotus pink accents that seamlessly blend with, e.g., Irving’s code. In coral, soft pink, and chocolate green the color pattern is completed and connected with metallic gold branding and feathered hang tag.
By using symbolic details such as the “heel” graphic, hierographic alphabet, and the phrase, “master your craft,” caption, this artist acknowledges the tribal dimension of his story and his jersey number. These kicks have been built for defending, thanks to a lockdown strap for quick-cutting and super-sticky rubber treads inspired by his tribal roots, blending his style of play into the sneaker. It’s definitely one that you want to snag and add to your whole rotation for those considering the best NBA playoffs shoes this season.
Jordan Tatum 1 “Wave Runner” – Blue/Pink/Purple
The latest Jordan Tatum 2 colorway boasts an aquamarine upper resembling a swimming pool or body of water, accented by vibrant purple and lime green midsole pods and a hot pink Jumpman logo near the toe. The summer vibes continue with a hot pink sockliner, which is noticeable and joyous at the same time. With the playoff sneakers launch happening in the near future, and no further releases being confirmed, however, this is likely to be the first sneaker set that Tatum will feature during the playoffs, with subsequent releases likely to be launched in the coming months.
So, while we wait for that colorway to be released, here is a wildly comparable choice. The Jordan Tatum 1 “Wave Runner” is designed and built with durability as its focal point, that provides players with the ability to chase greatness without compromise. To provide an agile movement on the court, lightweight upper mesh is used. Equipped with the shoe’s stress-enduring foam midsoles, this shoe illustrates exactly what Jayson Tatum is made of – confidence and agility to conquer the court whenever he wears it. With foam reinforcement around the plastic frame, Nike Zoom Air units and rubber pronounced in the key spots, they provide both weightless structure and impact absorption, as well as comfort – and the fun colorway definitely screams summertime good vibes.
Jordan Tatum 2 “Vortex” Basketball Shoes – Mint Foam/Black/Hyper Jade/Lava Glow
Another solid NBA Playoffs shoe that is similar looking in style is this “Vortex” colorway. The frame on this model extends from the sole to the upper, which allows for excellent low-to-the-ground gameplay. Its lightweight design prioritizes rubber on the outsole for essential traction, while foam provides support. In-shoe comfort is ensured by a full-length Nike Air Strobel unit, while durability and traction are enhanced by the rubber outsole and ground-contact foam, optimizing both offense and defense.
Adidas Dame 8 “Dame Time” – Yellow Tint/Glory Purple/Signal Green
While we all cannot wait for the sick-looking, solid purple and black Dame 9 sneaker, this Dame 8 “Dame Time” is a solid sub for now. Using durability and comfort as the main focus, the “textile upper” will guarantee long wear of the shoe, while the color is reminiscent of Easter colors.
This shoe’s pro-level cushioning provides an ideal level of energy return, cushioning and support — making anyone feel like they can dunk. The rubber outsole offers great traction and can hold even on various terrain types. This is one of the finest NBA Playoffs shoes that look alike. If you purchase it, you will not regret doing so.
Adidas Dame 8 “EXTPLY” Basketball Shoes – Hazy Copper/Off White/Wonder Silver
Another bold and vibrant summer-vibes colorway, these kicks are rafted for all-season durability. The Dame 8 “EXTPLY” shoes feature a dynamic, bouncy midsole, blending elevated stability with lightweight, flexible cushioning. With an internal sock construction and TPU propulsion plate, they ensure a secure fit. With stability like that and traction for days, you’ll move past defenders with ease.
Adidas AE 1 “Georgia Clay” – Wonder Clay/Preloved Scarlet/Core Black
Ahead of Game 1 of his series against the Phoenix Suns, Adidas and Edwards unveiled a quick campaign to showcase his latest AE 1 sneakers. This new shoe, featuring a pink colorway, will be the first low-cut design in his signature line, moving away from the usual, higher, mid-cut style of the AE 1. Continuing his trend of success with previous releases, this low-top AE 1 will sport a familiar pink/coral colorway previously worn by Edwards.
Until then, the next best thing for someone grabbing the best NBA Playoffs shoes that look like his low-tops? This pair features the stunning “Georgia Clay” colorway. As an ode to his alma mater, these mid-to-low-cut shoes feature a breathable mesh upper for optimal airflow to keep you cool during intense games. Their lightweight design is complemented by energy-returning Boost cushioning for continuous energy needed peak performance — we’re looking at you, two-a-day practices. Engineered for optimized motion and stability, they serve as your trusted pair for all the crossovers your heart desires.
Adidas AE 1 “Velocity Blue” – Green/Lucid Blue/Lucid Blue
There’s bold. Then there’s the “Velocity Blue” Green/Lucid Blue/Lucid Blue colorway on these sneakers. Definitely not for the faint of heart — wearer, beware.