The Top 10 Shoes of the 2023 NBA Playoffs

The 2023 NBA Playoffs was a showcase for the best basketball shoes in the world.

On Monday night, the Denver Nuggets made history by winning the franchise's first NBA Championship. Although the confetti still has not stopped flying in the air, it is time to take stock of the postseason.

In April, FanNation Kicks ranked the best shoes of the regular season. Now it is time to judge the footwear from the postseason. Below is our list of the ten best basketball shoes worn during games in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Li-Ning Jimmy Butler 1

A detailed look at Jimmy Butler's shoes / © Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

We would be remiss if we did not start by highlighting Jimmy Butler's play and sneakers. The catalyst of the Miami Heat's improbable run deserves all his flowers and more.

The timing of Butler's legendary postseason run could not have come at a better time. Throughout the year, Butler wore his first signature shoe with the Chinese brand Li-Ning. The only issue with Butler's eye-catching shoes is that they are difficult to find in the United States.

Luckily for fans, they can choose between several colorways of the Li-Ning Jimmy Butler 1 on KICKS CREW. The international platform has the widest selection of Butler's shoes, and it is safe to trust.

adidas Harden Vol. 7

A detailed look at James Harden's shoes.  / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden's career and signature adidas sneaker line felt like they lost momentum when the former MVP was constantly changing teams and roles. But the 2022-23 NBA season was a return to form for Harden and his shoes.

The adidas Harden Vol. 7 was launched in March 2023 for $160 in adult sizes. The futuristic-looking shoes sported monochromatic colorways that highlighted their attention-grabbing design.

Harden's future with the Philadelphia 76ers is far from certain, but fans should have no problem finding his seventh signature shoe. The adidas Harden Vol. 7 is available in six colorways on the adidas website.

New Balance KAWHI III

A detailed look at Kawhi Leonard's shoes.  / © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard's tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers is starting to turn into a question of what could have been. Even worse, his third signature New Balance shoe might be lumped into that parable.

Leonard debuted the New Balance KAWHI III in a nationally-televised game in early February. The shoes received glowing reviews but were ultimately recalled due to possible defects. It was a rare but very untimely misstep for New Balance.

We are still hooping in our New Balance KAWHI III shoes without experiencing any issues. Fans looking to purchase Leonard's third signature shoe can find them on the sneaker resale website StockX.

Air Jordan 37 Low

A detailed look at Bam Adebayo's shoes.  / © Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo made Jordan Brand proud for the way he played throughout the playoffs. Adebayo had the unfortunate task of guarding Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and did a commendable job.

Adebayo wore the Air Jordan 37 Low in multiple colorways in the postseason. In addition to featuring a sleek design, the model packs a lot of new technology into the affordably-priced shoe.

Online shoppers can choose between six colorways of the Air Jordan 37 Low ranging from $122-$175 on the Jordan Brand website. The model's mid-cut counterpart is also on sale at this time.

Nike Kobe 5 Protro

A detailed look at Devin Booker's shoes.  / © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Our regular readers know that there must be at least one shoe from Kobe Bryant's legendary sneaker line on all our lists. With Devin Booker's signature shoes on the way, this was the last time we get to see him sporting Kobes in the postseason.

The Phoenix Suns' shooting guard doesn't have the biggest repertoire of Kobes, but he has some impressive player-exclusive colorways. The orange and white Nike Kobe 5 Protro ranks among the best we have seen on the court this season.

Unfortunately, this colorway will never release to the public. Our complaints about the direction of the Nike Kobe line is well documented, but fans will have more opportunities to buy Kobes throughout this calendar year.

Nike Ja 1

A detailed look at Ja Morant's shoes.  / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has jeopardized his future in the league, but Nike is still standing beside its first-ever Gen-Z signature athlete (for now). The launch of Morant's first signature shoe was delayed during his first suspension but has continued to release in new colorways during his current suspension.

Much like Morant's game, the Nike Ja 1 is beloved by fans of all ages. Morant wore the 'Day One' colorway during the playoffs, and it is our favorite version of the exciting new hoop shoe.

There are currently seven colorways of the Nike Ja 1 available on the sneaker resale website GOAT. However, Morant's uncertain future has resulted in the cost of his shoes soaring above retail price.

Curry Flow 10

A detailed look at Stephen Curry's shoes.  / © Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors were not able to repeat as champions, but that did not stop Stephen Curry from having a ball. The league's greatest three-point shooter of all time rocked new and retro models from his signature line in some exciting colorways.

It was not an easy choice, but our favorite shoe was the Curry Flow 10 in the 'Unicorn & Butterflys' colorway. The brightly-colored hoop shoes were one of several colorways designed to pay tribute to Curry's family, in this case, his daughters.

The Curry Flow 10 'Unicorn & Butterflys' launched on April 7 for $160 in adult sizes. Fans can choose between several models and colorways of Curry's signature sneaker line on the Curry Brand section of the Under Armour website. 

New Balance TWO WXY v3

A detailed look at Jamal Murray's shoes.  / © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest winners of the season is Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. The 26-year-old overcame an ACL injury to once again look like "Bubble Murray." Even better, New Balance's bet on Murray paid off big time.

Murray wore the New Balance TWO WXY v3 all season long. However, the Boston-based brand chose to release three of Murray's player-exclusive colorways to reintroduce their signature athlete to the country.

Murray rocked plenty of heat on the court in the NBA Finals, but the 'Spin Cycle' colorway is easily the cleanest style of the shoe. Fans choose between five colorways of the model for $120 on the New Balance website.

Jordan Tatum 1

A detailed look at Jayson Tatum's shoes.  / © Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum enjoyed a stellar launch to his signature sneaker line. Tatum debuted the shoe during his MVP performance during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, months before its official release.

During the playoffs, Tatum rocked player-exclusive and general-release colorways. We have gone back and forth on our favorite colorways, but the white and blue 'St. Louis' option is currently our favorite (but that could change).

Every colorway of the Jordan Tatum 1 has sold out quickly online. There are still some options available on Tatum's section of the Nike website. Be sure to keep checking back for more drops this summer.

Nike LeBron NXXT Gen

A detailed look at LeBron James' shoes.   / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers did not win the championship, but LeBron James had a historic season that we will probably never see again. After breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record, James dragged the Lakers all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

James wore new and retro models throughout the year but finished his campaign in the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen. Fans can choose between five colorways of the model for $160 on the Nike website.

We hate to see James' 20th season end, but it is impossible not to be excited to think about what is to come in his next decade in the league and with Nike. Stay locked into FanNation Kicks for all your shoe news this summer.

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