With the All-Star weekend gearing up, NBA players have been working hard on the court in their name-brand kicks on Wednesday. After examining the court full of colorful shoes, I have narrowed down my top five of the day.
Who Wore What?
Coming in fifth for Wednesday’s kicks is the point guard for the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving. In a pair of Anta Kai 1 “Cosmic Rotation,” Irving scored 42 points against the Golden State Warriors.
Inspired by Irving’s rise to stardom, these high-performance shoes are crafted with balanced upper and midfoot support and anti-slip traction. The Anta Kai 1 collection is available to the public in a variety of styles and colorways typically between $100 and $125.
Placing number four is Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Garland played against the Toronto Raptors in a pair of yellow New Balance Hesi Low v2 (player exclusive) on Wednesday.
Hesi Low v2 features a responsive, lightweight shoe designed to take advantage of split-second opportunities. Sold to the public in mercury red, this shoe is engineered with a knit mesh to provide breathability and support.
Wednesday’s Top Three
Kevin Durant, power forward for the Phoenix Suns comes in third for Wednesday’s kicks in a pair of KD 18 “Liquid Lime” which is set for release on April 18, 2025. Durant put in 37 points in his 18th pair of signature shoes.
A combination of Air Zoom and Nike Air gives responsive cushioning as well as holes all over the top to help reduce the weight and add breathability. This debut design combines KD’s roots and Nike’s ACG (All Conditions Gear) catalog.
Coming in number two for Wednesday’s kicks is a small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, De’Andre Hunter. Hunter played against the Toronto Raptors for 27 minutes in a pair of Nike KD 4 ‘Year of the Dragon.’
A collaboration between Nike and Kevin Durant. The Nike KD 4 ‘Year of the Dragon’ celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon through significant colors and design details. The khaki and sesame colorway serves as a backdrop for the dragon motif. While red symbolizes good luck and good fortune, the yellow on the outsole represents prosperity and wealth.
Placing first is the power forward for the Toronto Raptors, Chris Boucher who wore a pair of Puma x LaMelo Ball x TMNT MB.04 Raphael and Donatello on Wednesday.
This Puma and NBA player LaMelo Ball signature shoe collection is inspired by the cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and includes 4 different limited edition shoes for $135 each. Complete with a supportive double-layered mesh and NITROFOAM cushioning for on-court power, these shoes are ready to hit the floor.
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