The NBA Playoffs officially started this past weekend and the first set of games did not disappoint. From outlandish blowouts to overtime thrillers, we got a taste of everything that makes this time of year great for basketball. As we continue to keep a close eye on the postseason, footwear brands are making the most of the excitement by dropping plenty of basketball sneakers. This week’s roster of notable kicks comes courtesy of Nike, Timberland, On, Jordan Brand, and New Balance. However, before we work our way through all 10 drops, let’s first look back at which sneaker headlines stood out to us this past week.
On the feature front we assembled our third round-up of the signature shoe market, going over all 32 NBA and WNBA athletes who dropped their own model in the past year. We were also given a preview of two upcoming Nike Basketball models, Ja Morant’s Nike Ja 3 and Sabrina Ionescu’s Nike Sabrina 3. Corteiz finally announced its release date for its long-teased Nike Air Max 95 “Honey Blacks” collaboration as well.
As for the Jumpman team, we caught a first look at the new Air Jordan 11 “Sail” ahead of its holiday release. Nike also shared its official images of the Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Reimagined,” which drops next month. Another pair of AJ1s on the way is a newly-rumored Air Jordan 1 Hi ‘85 “Bred” — not to be confused with the version that already dropped this year.
Elsewhere in the sneaker space, the Vandy the Pink x atmos x ASICS GEL-Nimbus 10.1 “Banana Split” pack was unveiled with a global launch scheduled for June. Kiko Kostadinov’s latest ASICS project was teased too, showcasing the UB10-S GEL-KAYANO 20. New Balance had a big week with a new “Brown Suede” version of the Made in UK Allerdale presented alongside the return of the 1300JP. Wales Bonner had its adidas Karintha Sequin collab leak, as well as Justin Bieber teased more footwear from his new brand, SKYLRK.
With all of the past week’s key news pieces revisited, let’s now look ahead to which 10 sneaker drops you should have on your radar this week, starting with Devin Booker’s first collaboration featuring his Nike Book 1. Afterwards, don’t forget to check out HBX to shop styles that are available to purchase now.
Chevrolet x Devin Booker x Nike Book 1 & Blazer Low
Release Date: April 22
Release Price: $100 USD to $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Devin Booker and Nike Basketball have spent the last one and a half years unveiling one colorway of the Nike Book 1 after another. However, it’s only now that the shoe is part of a collaboration as Booker’s love for automobiles is emphasized with this project featuring Chevrolet. Drawing inspiration from his 1972 Blazers, the trio has assembled three shoes in suede — a “Dark Gold Leaf” version of the Book 1, as well as “Team Dark Green” and “Surf Blue” flavors of the Blazer Low.
Jacquemus x Timberland 3-Eye Lug Boat Shoe
Release Date: April 23
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Jacquemus and Timberland
Why You Should Cop: Jacquemus is expanding its footwear catalog this week by tapping Timberland for a “Banana Yellow” iteration of the 3-Eye Lug Boat Shoe. A premium leather upper in this yellow hue is accompanied by a soft leather lining and lug outsole in a dark gum brown. Nods to the Parisian label come courtesy of the golden aglets and lateral heel’s lace locks.
NIGO x Nike Air Force 3 “Black Croc”
Release Date: April 24
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s been less than a year since NIGO and Nike kicked off their newly minted partnership with three different takes on the Air Force 3. In continuation of this project, two new colorways of the sneaker have been assembled by the duo. Both pairs landed on shelves via HUMAN MADE last week and the “Black Croc” version is returning now through Nike. Aside from the crocodile-inspired overlays, this take on the shoe sees special silver jewelry complemented by a chrome heel detail that also nods to NIGO.
atmos x On Cloudmonster Void “Yozakura”
Release Date: April 24
Release Price: ¥23,100 JPY (approx. $162 USD)
Where to Buy: atmos
Why You Should Cop: atmos just hosted Japan’s largest sneaker event of the year with atmoscon, celebrating 25 years of the retailer. Of its many exciting collaborations to debut during the convention, the atmos x On Cloudmonster Void “Yozakura” is ready to drop again this week. Inspired by a night cherry blossom palette, the shoe sports a dark navy presentation with light pink accents.
Jordan Luka 4 & Luka .77 “Bloodline”
Release Date: April 24
Release Price: $100 USD to $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers were humbled in their first game of this year’s NBA Playoffs as Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves achieved a 22-point victory on the road. Dončić suited up in his new Jordan Luka 4, which is now dropping this week in its “Bloodline” colorway alongside a matching version of his new outdoor-oriented Jordan Luka .77. Both pairs combine black, red, and white for fresh takes on the silhouettes.
Nike LeBron 21 Prime ‘96 “Varsity Red”
Release Date: April 25
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James wasn’t able to find his flow in the aforementioned bout against the Minnesota Timberwolves this past weekend but he has at least three more opportunities to do so as he prepares for game two tonight. King James sported a special version of his LeBron 21 last season that is a hybrid featuring elements of Deion Sanders’ Air DT Max ‘96. At last, its “Varsity Red” version is dropping, featuring a new midfoot strap and the Air DT Max ’96’s jagged cut-outs.
Action Bronson x New Balance MADE in USA 990v6 “Untitled”
Release Date: April 25
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: In case you missed out on its initial launch, the Action Bronson x New Balance MADE in USA 990v6 “Untitled” is back this week. The colorway arrives just one week after its “Ainõzama” counterpart hit shelves. This version of the popular runner combines white, red, pink, yellow, gray, and black throughout its premium structure. Per usual a “Baklava” callout is served up at the tongue as well.
Nike KD 18 “EYBL”
Release Date: April 25
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: After a disappointing season for the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant is expected to headline trade talks this offseason. While he’s not suiting up for postseason play, his new KD 18 is as this new silver “EYBL” colorway hits the market this week. The pair features a metallic silver throughout its upper as a vibrant green hits the shoe’s base and lacing system.
Air Jordan 11 Low “Bred”
Release Date: April 26
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Last year saw the Air Jordan 11 “Bred” color blocking return to the high-top sneaker with a special “Bred Velvet” iteration. Now, in celebration of the AJ11’s 30th anniversary, the iconic look returns to its low-top variant. A black patent leather mudguard is joined by black ballistic mesh at the upper. Red and white hit the semi-translucent outsole and midsole respectively, completing the recreation of the classic look.
New Balance Numeric Andrew Reynolds 933
Release Date: April 28
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Andrew Reynolds is ready to drop his debut signature shoe with New Balance Numeric this week. The 40-year-old skater’s 933 sneaker pays homage to the 990 series with an upper that reworks the 993 shape with skate specifications such as a padded tongue, ABZORB cushioning, and an NDurance rubber outsole. “Wheat” and “Black/Olive” serve as the launch colorways, offering versatile colorways that can be worn all year long.
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