San Antonio Spurs.
Credit: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty (4)
NEED TO KNOW
The San Antonio Spurs matched in all-black outfits for Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, April 19
The team arrived to the Frost Bank Center in black suit jackets, trousers and shirts
Fans have theories as to why they opted for black and matching ‘fits, while several players shared the reasoning behind their style choices
Strategic style, perhaps!
The San Antonio Spurs made quite the fashion statement on Sunday, April 19, when arriving to Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, rolling up to their home Frost Bank Center in matching suits for the eventual 111-98 win.
The NBA posted a video on social media of the players wearing coordinating black ensembles, which fans online have drawn up theories regarding the sartorial selections — which included coordinating jackets, shirts and trousers — for the postseason matchup.
Kelly Olynyk #8 of the San Antonio Spurs on April 19, 2026.
Credit: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty
The Spurs wore blazer jackets, perhaps a subtle — yet stylish! — dig at the team they were facing that night. Further, they matched in black, which fans associated with the shade often worn to funerals.
“Everyone wears an all black suit bc it’s a funeral service for the other team in Game 1 tonight,” one user wrote on X in reply to a clip shared by the NBA of the suited-up team, with some even wearing ties and bowties as they arrived to the arena.
“First home playoff game in 6 years and they said dress code is pressure 🔥,” penned another.
“ALL Business — They tryna send a message. 😎,” commented a third user on X.
“Coming for the Blazers funeral,” wrote another user on Instagram.
At one point in the tunnel walk clip shared by the NBA, the person behind the camera asked Spurs rookie Dylan Harper when the last time he wore a suit was. “Draft night,” replied Harper, who was selected second overall by San Antonio behind Cooper Flagg on June 25, 2025.
According to ESPN, Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk, who joined the team last summer, came up with the idea for the team to match in all-black suits. For his part, he added a backwards hat and sunglasses to his look.
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When questioned about the outfits before the game by ESPN, Spurs center Bismack Biyombo replied: “We’ve got to get this thing started right.”
The Spurs entered their first-round matchup as the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed. San Antonio went 62-20 in the regular season, their most victories since 2015-2016.
Sunday marked the first home playoff game for San Antonio since a Game 6 win in 2019 over the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs haven’t secured a playoff series win since 2017.
The Spurs next play the Blazers on Tuesday, April 21.
Read the original article on People