
The NBA is doing its best to integrate technology in every part of the game. Some good, some bad, and some horrible ones.
The start of the NBA Finals was a bit of a head-scratcher for fans at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center. Many quickly noticed that no flashy logos on the court that screamed that we were in the Finals.
For the fans, it felt like just another game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed this during a pre-game talk before Game 2. He explained that the absence of these designs was due to concerns about them making the court slippery, and it looks like they were working on a fix.
Viewers noticed the change right away. Instead of the traditional logos, digital images of the Larry O’Brien Trophy appeared on the ESPN/ABC broadcast.
Digital trophies added to the floor for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 9, 2025
(h/t @ArashMarkazi)
pic.twitter.com/0JDrJE7oih
Unfortunately, they didn’t exactly wow anyone. Fans took to social media to trash the league for digitally slapping the lower pixelated trophy on the court.
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However, as the second quarter rolled on, the NBA seemed to take the hint from fans and switched things up to show “NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV.”
NBA Fans Trash League For Adding Digital Trophies Instead Of Traditional Ones During Thunder-Pacers Finals Game 2

It’s understandable to prioritize player safety, but it’s interesting to see how the NBA can get creative with court designs for events that aren’t quite as high-profile.
With so much money being poured into the broadcast and everything else, fans have higher expectations from the league.
After the digital blunder, fans took to social media to trash the NBA for adding the ‘pathetic’ digital trophy on the court.
“NBA this is pathetic,” a fan wrote.
@NBA this is pathetic.
— Dillon_Moon ⚪️ (@Dillon_Moon) June 9, 2025
“They listened but did a horrible job,” a fan account commented.
They listened but did a horrible job 💀
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) June 9, 2025
“NBA really thought they cooked,” another one quipped.
nba really thought they cooked pic.twitter.com/6qtjtoklPb
— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) June 9, 2025
“It’s CGI like you’re telling me you couldn’t just put the cursive logo on it,” an agitated fourth fan added.
It’s CGI like you’re telling me you couldn’t just put the cursive logo on it
— Doug Harvin (@RealDougHarvin) June 9, 2025
“What has happened to the game I love,” another fan put the iconic quote by Mark Jackson.
What has happened to the game I love
— HeatHound (@PureHeatles) June 9, 2025
“Wow that sh*t is weak,” another user trashed.
Wow that shit is weak 😭😭
— 👑 (@Lebronin1) June 9, 2025
However, this might be yet another fumble the NBA never saw coming. But if they are really concerned about the TV rating going down the drain, they must do better.