How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton are making signature sneaker historical past within the NBA Finals — Andscape

In Sport 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton grew to become part of historical past after they went toe-to-toe of their debut signature sneakers.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 26-year-old style-bending famous person, took the courtroom in his Converse SHAI 001, formally unveiled in February and worn by SGA on his journey to the Finals because the 2024-25 NBA MVP.

In the meantime, the morning of Sport 1 delivered a shock reveal of the debut signature model for Haliburton, who, in October 2024, signed a large endorsement cope with Puma, which surprisingly had a shoe prepared for the 25-year-old Indiana Pacers level guard to proceed his staff’s storybook playoff run within the Finals. And, as excellent because it may have been scripted, Haliburton hit a game-winning shot to offer the Pacers a 111-110 win over the Thunder on the night time he debuted the Puma Hali 1.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton have joined an unique record of about 20 gamers in NBA historical past who’ve performed within the Finals whereas sporting their debut signature sneakers.

“It’s an absolute honor for Puma to have been represented on that court as Tyrese made history,” mentioned Denise Thrasher, Puma’s head of basketball advertising, in a press release to Andscape. “It proved the power of showing up for your athletes, validated our cutting‑edge product innovation, and showed what true partnership can achieve.”

NBA gamers who’ve worn their debut signature sneakers within the NBA Finals

• Bob Cousy (P-F Bob Cousy All-American, 1961)
• Clyde Frazier (Puma Clyde, 1973)
• Julius Erving (Converse Dr. J, 1977)
• Isiah Thomas (Puma Palace Guard, 1990)
• John Salley (Osaga Spide, 1990)
• Magic Johnson (Converse Magic Triple-Double, 1991)
• Charles Barkley (Nike Air Drive Max, 1993)
• Kevin Johnson (Converse Run ’N Slam, 1993)
• Clyde Drexler (Avia 990 Clyde Drexler, 1994)
• Dennis Rodman (Nike Shake Ndestrukt, 1996)
• Scottie Pippen (Nike Air Pippen I, 1997)
• Ben Wallace (AND 1 Selected One, 2004)
• Tim Duncan (Adidas D-Cool, 2005)
• Dwyane Wade (Jordan Fly Wade, 2011)
• Tony Parker (Peak TP9-1, 2014)
• Kyrie Irving (Nike Kyrie 1, 2015)
• Stephen Curry (Beneath Armour Curry 1, 2015)
• Langston Galloway (Ethics lgOne, 2021)

Out of the 18 gamers earlier than Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton who reached the Finals of their debut sneakers, 12 of them ended the season by which they acquired their first signature mannequin of their profession as an NBA champion. 

“It’s been an incredible year for Shai, showcasing his talent and proving himself as a marquee player in the league,” mentioned Rodney Rambo, Converse’s world chief advertising officer, in a press release to Andscape.

“His journey to the Finals and winning the MVP award has been nothing short of extraordinary, and he’s not done yet. As a brand for creators, we’ve always known Shai moved differently. His unmatched creativity, both on and off the court, sets him apart.”

The matchup between SGA within the Converse SHAI 001 and Haliburton within the Puma Hali 1 additionally notably marks simply the second time in NBA historical past that two gamers have confronted one another within the Finals whereas laced of their first signature fashions. The inaugural Finals matchup of debut signature sneakers came about in 2015 between Golden State Warriors All-Star level guard Stephen Curry, within the Beneath Armour Curry 1, and then-Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star level guard Kyrie Irving, within the Nike Kyrie 1.

But, one factor that units aside the 2025 NBA Finals matchup between the Converse SHAI 001 and Puma Hali 1 is that neither sneaker is obtainable for buy, with each fashions scheduled to hit retail within the fall forward of the 2025-26 season.

“Seeing Shai reach this point before his signature shoe, the SHAI 001, launching this fall is remarkable,” continued Rambo in his assertion to Andscape. “We’re supporting Shai every step of the way and will continue to invest in athletes and creators who are independent and forge their own paths. Shai is a prime example.”

The distinctive development of star basketball gamers competing for an NBA championship of their debut signature sneakers spans seven many years, courting to the 1960-61 season, when legendary level guard Bob Cousy led the Boston Celtics to a title in his P.F. Bob Cousy All-American basketball shoe. The Cousy All-American was first launched 65 years in the past within the fall of 1960 for $8.95 a pair.

It’s additionally value noting that neither Gilgeous-Alexander nor Haliburton is the primary participant from their respective manufacturers to play within the NBA Finals whereas sporting their debut signature shoe. In 1973, basketball and sneaker legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier led the New York Knicks to their most up-to-date NBA championship whereas laced in his debut – and timeless – signature mannequin, the Puma Clyde.

A number of years later, Julius “Dr. J” Erving grew to become the primary basketball participant since Chuck Taylor to obtain a signature shoe from Converse. Erving’s debut shoe, the Converse Dr. J, was launched within the fall of 1976, earlier than he and the Philadelphia 76ers reached the 1977 Finals later that season.

By 1990, famed Detroit Pistons level guard Isiah Thomas claimed back-to-back NBA titles with the “Bad Boys” whereas rocking the primary signature shoe of his profession, dubbed the Puma Palace Guard.

In 1993, Phoenix Suns level guard Kevin Johnson sported his first of two Converse Run ’N Slam fashions in a Finals loss to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, which accomplished their dynasty’s first run of three consecutive titles.

“I won a lot of games in my Pumas,” Thomas told Andscape in 2019. “My fondest memory is winning a championship in them and pouring that champagne on my head.”

Carrying the brand new Puma Hali 1s, Haliburton’s heroic pull-up jumper from 21 toes with 0.3 seconds left in Sport 1 marked the newest game-winning shot in a Finals sport since Jordan’s in 1997.

But the Hali-to-MJ sneaker comparability runs even deeper. Former NBA player-turned-podcaster Jeff Teague went so far as to name Puma and Haliburton’s shock unveil of his new signature the “greatest debut of a shoe since Mike,” referencing when MJ broke out the Air Jordan 14s for the primary time in Sport 6 of the 1998 Finals, which ended along with his game-winning shot that received the Bulls their sixth and last championship of the ’90s.

“The secret sauce today was these,” mentioned Haliburton at his postgame information convention, pointing to his measurement 14 signature sneakers he positioned on the desk subsequent to the microphone.

Haliburton completed off the night time on X with the publish, “It’s gotta be the shoooeeesss.”

In a matchup between Gilgeous-Alexander’s Converse SHAI 001 and Haliburton’s Puma Hali 1, there are six video games left to determine whose debut signature shoe prevails.