Why Lakers are playing on their normal court, not bright yellow NBA Cup version, vs. Spurs
The Lakers’ home floor looks a little more traditional this week, and that’s by design.
After the league’s splashy rollout of bold, tournament-specific courts for NBA Cup games, some fans expected Los Angeles to keep using its bright yellow alternate surface against the Spurs. Instead, the team is back on its classic hardwood, underscoring the distinction between regular-season play and the in-season tournament.
The NBA Cup format blends group-stage and knockout games directly into the regular schedule, but only designated tournament nights get the special treatment. Those eye-catching floors, created for every team, serve as a visual cue that the game counts toward the new competition. When the matchup is a standard regular-season contest, teams revert to their normal courts.
For the Lakers, the contrast is especially stark. Their NBA Cup court, drenched in gold with bold center graphics, became one of the most talked-about designs in the league. It fit the franchise’s Hollywood identity and made Crypto.com Arena broadcasts instantly recognizable on tournament nights. Returning to the familiar parquet against San Antonio reflects the NBA’s intent: keep the Cup visually distinct without overwhelming the broader season.
From a league perspective, this separation helps fans follow a new product. The NBA is asking viewers to track standings, tiebreakers, and a neutral-site final layered onto an 82-game grind. Unique courts function as branding, signaling stakes that feel different from a typical Tuesday. When those elements disappear, it tells audiences the game is important, but not part of the Cup chase.
There are also practical considerations. Installing and removing a full-court decal system is a logistical lift, involving arena staff, scheduling windows, and broadcast partners. Limiting that process to designated tournament dates keeps operations manageable while still delivering a premium look when it matters most.
So against the Spurs, the Lakers’ floor looks like it always has. The bright yellow is reserved for nights when the NBA Cup is on the line, not for every visit from a Western Conference opponent.
After the league’s splashy rollout of bold, tournament-specific courts for NBA Cup games, some fans expected Los Angeles to keep using its bright yellow alternate surface against the Spurs. Instead, the team is back on its classic hardwood, underscoring the distinction between regular-season play and the in-season tournament.
The NBA Cup format blends group-stage and knockout games directly into the regular schedule, but only designated tournament nights get the special treatment. Those eye-catching floors, created for every team, serve as a visual cue that the game counts toward the new competition. When the matchup is a standard regular-season contest, teams revert to their normal courts.
For the Lakers, the contrast is especially stark. Their NBA Cup court, drenched in gold with bold center graphics, became one of the most talked-about designs in the league. It fit the franchise’s Hollywood identity and made Crypto.com Arena broadcasts instantly recognizable on tournament nights. Returning to the familiar parquet against San Antonio reflects the NBA’s intent: keep the Cup visually distinct without overwhelming the broader season.
From a league perspective, this separation helps fans follow a new product. The NBA is asking viewers to track standings, tiebreakers, and a neutral-site final layered onto an 82-game grind. Unique courts function as branding, signaling stakes that feel different from a typical Tuesday. When those elements disappear, it tells audiences the game is important, but not part of the Cup chase.
There are also practical considerations. Installing and removing a full-court decal system is a logistical lift, involving arena staff, scheduling windows, and broadcast partners. Limiting that process to designated tournament dates keeps operations manageable while still delivering a premium look when it matters most.
So against the Spurs, the Lakers’ floor looks like it always has. The bright yellow is reserved for nights when the NBA Cup is on the line, not for every visit from a Western Conference opponent.
