Kicks

Kyrie Irving Unveils ANTA KAI 1 Speed for NBA Finals

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will debut the unreleased ANTA KAI 1 Speed in the NBA Finals.

Pat Benson

The ANTA KAI 1 Speed "Twin Flames" colorway.
The ANTA KAI 1 Speed "Twin Flames" colorway. / ANTA

The NBA Finals tip-off tonight in Boston, and all eyes will be on Kyrie Irving. The Dallas Mavericks guard previously played for the Boston Celtics, and the basketball community is eager to see his dramatic return.

Capitalizing on the moment, as they have done all year, ANTA and Kyrie have officially unveiled the latest ANTA KAI 1 Speed ahead of Game 1. The 'Speed' version of Irving's first signature sneaker is a more lightweight model without the forefoot strap.

More importantly, this special edition of the shoe is named the "Twin Flame" colorway, which is a heartfelt tribute to the love story of Kyrie's parents - Elizabeth and Dred Irving.

Dred Irving has collaborated closely with the ANTA USDC team to bring this unique design to life. The "Twin Flame" colorway celebrates the bond that began at Boston University, where Dred played basketball and Elizabeth excelled on the volleyball team.

A personal journey inspired this hoop shoe. Kyrie's return to Boston for the NBA Finals is deeply personal. The 8x NBA All-Star honors his parents' enduring love by wearing the ANTA KAI 1 Speed.

This moment transcends basketball, weaving family heritage into the fabric of the ANTA KAI 1 line. The purple upper symbolizes Dred, Orange represents Elizabeth, and pink represents their combined energy and love, symbolizing Kyrie himself.

Meanwhile, the toe Box embroidery has an intricate detail that honors both Kyrie and Elizabeth's Native American roots, adding a layer of cultural significance to the design.

According to the brand, the ANTA KAI 1 Speed "Twin Flame" is more than just footwear; it celebrates love, heritage, and the power of family. Fans can shop Irving's signature sneaker line on the ANTA website and KICKS CREW.

Basketball fans can count on Sports Illustrated for all of their most important sneaker news from the NBA and the rest of the sports world.

Further Reading: Kyrie Irving debuted the ANTA KAI 1 "Mother's Day" in the NBA Playoffs.

Published
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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