The atmosphere during the NBA Conference Finals is always electric, not just on the courts but also in the world of sports memorabilia. As collectors debate potential investments and celebrate their own players’ performances, the concurrent rise in demand for sports cards finds a unique parallel narrative playing out in sports card markets. With just four teams remaining — Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks — this playoffs season is as much about strategy with cards as it is about strategies on the basketball court.
We turn our attention to these teams’ stellar athletes whose iconic insert cards are sweeping collectors off their feet. Icons like Downtown, Kaboom, and Color Blast capture fans’ emotions, creating waves of anticipation and excitement. Here’s a closer look at the various star performers and how their sports cards are faring in the markets.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has come into his own, not just as a player but as a sports card phenomenon. His evolution from a promising young guard to one of the most talked-about names in basketball has sparked considerable interest in his cards. Take, for example, his 2023 One and One Downtown card. Despite its PSA 10 condition values plummeting by 20% to a sale price of $3,700 as of mid-May, the raw card is up by 7.4%, reaching $2,500 from the lows of early May at $1,950. Perhaps it’s that anxious fandom movement watching his playoff progress that’s reflecting in these numbers. Simultaneously, his Obsidian Black Color Blast card has appreciated by 22% for raw cards, and it’s a promising window for collectors eyeing his PSA 10 at $1,170—should OKC hold their course successfully deeper into the finals.
From the Midwest’s Minnesota Timberwolves comes the dynamic Anthony Edwards, affectionately known as Ant-Man. He’s already carving his place as one of the faces of the NBA, leveraging his prominence further in this playoff window. His 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! card, compellingly important for collectors, last sold raw at $2,950 in March. Its PSA 10 variant saw a modest yet promising increase of 2.5%, fetching $8,923 as of May 7. And yet, the market finds even more fervor surrounding Edwards’ 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown, whose PSA 10 condition skyrocketed by 33% to an incredible $13,000. These cards speak of his potential, and collectors with vested interest will marvel if Edwards can maintain such momentum through to the Finals.
Moving east, Tyrese Haliburton from Indiana Pacers is making waves for his leadership that drives his team upwards, not unlike his card markets. The 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown in PSA 10 condition rocketed by 40% to $4,000 as of May 8, where raw versions stood at a humble $1,500 in March. As Haliburton’s performances advance, collectors watching his stock might well be smiling under their breaths, dreaming of Indianan prowess rocking the Finals with his heritage Spectra Color Blast cards decorated at PSA 10-level priced at $1,463.
New York’s basketball hopes rest on Jalen Brunson, whose efforts with the Knicks in the Conference Finals have spectators in awe. Brunson’s 2023 One and One Downtown editions tell an intriguing tale. While raw card prices experienced a 14% dip over the last month, landing at $1,100, the PSA 10 condition provided contrasting fortunes by rising 35% to $2,425. The underdog nature of the Knicks adds a layer of drama, making Brunson cards a compelling grab. For the savvy enthusiast, acquiring a raw version to then pursuit grading presents a rewarding opportunity should the Knicks overturn the league’s big dogs.
These Conference Finals evidently stir the pot in the world of sports collections, exhibiting the fervor and aspirations of card collectors intertwined with basketball feats. Whether you are in it for the thrill, the investment, or simply as a fan, these extraordinary narratives and performances promise that the heat generated won’t merely be contained to hardwood courts this season. Each dribble, pass, and clutch shot resonates far beyond the rim, bending value curves and tempting new stories for potential legends in the card-collecting pantheon.
