From Jerseys On SI · · 1m 20s
Best NBA Uniforms by Decade
NBA uniforms evolved from 1950s Celtics to 2020s Suns.
In brief
NBA uniforms evolved from 1950s Celtics to 2020s Suns. The NBA's best uniforms span decades with each era having distinct styles. Originally reported by Jerseys On SI.
1950s: Boston Celtics
The NBA officially started in 1946, but the Boston Celtics dynasty began in the late 1950s and ran through the 1960s.
1960s: Los Angeles Lakers
The 1960s were filled with heartbreak for the Los Angeles Lakers, but their blue and white jerseys with 'Los Angeles' script and drop-font numbers remain a fan favorite.
1970s: Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have rebranded frequently, but we're partial to the lime green and blue uniforms from 1970-1972.
1980s: Los Angeles Lakers
The 1980s were a decade known for luxury and fun; no team embodied the decadence better than the Showtime Lakers.
1990s: Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors' dribbling dinosaur mascot, pinstripes, and aggressive font make it stand out to this day.
2000s: Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets' powder-blue-and-gold era was credited to former UCLA Bruins legend Kiki VanDeWeghe.
2010s: Golden State Warriors
NBA uniforms started to decline in the 2010s with sleeved adidas jerseys ending in atrocious Nike City Edition uniforms.
2020s: Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns blend eras into a modern aesthetic with jersey patch sponsors and throwback styles.
The big picture
The NBA's best uniforms span decades with each era having distinct styles.
