January is coming to a close, and we have some absolute banger matchups to rank today. Some of my favorite NBA uniforms are being worn today, and that lends itself to some great matchups. As I was making this ranking, I shocked myself with where I ranked some of these games. There may be some hot takes in here, but that’s what keeps it interesting. Without further ado, let’s see what ranks where today. As always, all images are courtesy of Lockervision.
10-Pistons at Cavaliers
First off, this is not a terrible matchup. It is, however, the worst matchup of the day. As an owner of a Cade Cunningham Icon Pistons, I can say that it is not my favorite NBA uniform. I got it as a fan of my fellow Oklahoma State alum, but I can take or leave the jersey. Paired up against the wine Cavaliers jerseys and all I see is muddy. I just ranked a blue vs red matchup number one a few days ago, but that matchup had better uniforms for both colors. It doesn’t feel like a last place matchup, but that’s what we have today.
9-Bucks at Trail Blazers
This matchup is perfectly fine. It could even find its way to number three on this list, as four through ten are all really close to me. I chose to put it here because these jerseys are both just ok to me. Portland has had better iterations of this uniform in the past, and I’ve never loved them since they got rid of the red outline. As it stands here, it’s just a solid C+. At least we get to see Dame return to Portland.
8-Magic at Spurs
Another black vs white matchup, and another perfectly passable game. The Spurs carry this game with their iconic (no pun intended) set, but they can’t carry it any higher than eight. This game is similar to the previous game, as the team holding this game back has better jerseys they could be wearing if they didn’t downgrade. The Spurs set is slightly better than the Bucks, so this game ranks slightly higher as a result.
7-Nuggets at Thunder
This potential Western Conference playoff preview is yet another C+ game. Denver’s jerseys are whatever to me, and Oklahoma City’s set is one of the most underrated in the league in my opinion. I’d love to see Jokic vs Shai in the playoffs, and I’d be fine seeing the uniform matchups that series would bring.
6-Pelicans at Rockets
This game is one of only two traditional home vs away uniform matchups of the day, so it automatically gets a boost. The Pels have one of my favorite navy jerseys, even though it’s not really my color. And Houston’s set just doesn’t compare to some of their previous ’90s sets. As it stands, you already know the grade this game gets.
5-Suns at Nets
Ok. Hear me out. I’ve said my piece on both these uniforms. Phoenix’s jerseys have definitely grown on me, even if I still don’t love the white basketball. And Brooklyn’s jersey is … something. But for whatever reason, together, I don’t hate the matchup. I’d understand if you had this game in last (that’s where I thought I was ranking it), but it sneaks into the top half today.
4-Mavericks at Timberwolves
Another game that I expected to rank it lower, I actually really like the way these jerseys play off each other. I’d still like a Dallas refresh someday, as the whole current set gets more outdated every year. But it is still passable in the modern NBA, and it has the legacy of winning the 2011 NBA Finals. Add in Minnesota wearing the one jersey that differentiates them from the Mavs, and you actually get a pretty good-looking game.
3-Bulls at Hornets
We have now entered the really good color vs color section of these rankings. I can take or leave the “Buzz City” on the jerseys, but that is too minimal to affect the ranking of this game. Black vs Teal is a really fun matchup, and both uniforms are some of the best ones in either team’s set.
2-Clippers at Wizards
Color vs Color: Part II. I’d put the Bulls and Clippers even on a leaguewide uniform ranking, but the Wizards would be right near the top of the whole league. That’s why this game ranks slightly higher, as well as Black vs Red being a better matchup than Black vs Teal. It’s a shame this game might be a blowout, but at least it will be a banger uniform-wise.
1-Kings at Heat
Heck yeah. Traditional home vs away: check. Cursive script: check. Both uniforms being top tier in the league: check. Add all that together, and this is easily my favorite game of the day. It doesn’t get much better than this, and it is a must-see game in my opinion.
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