Over the next few weeks, you may notice something different about the hardwood your favorite NBA team plays on.
Tonight, the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns will each play their fifth game of the regular season. Phoenix is at home — and their court will look a bit unusual, sporting an orange color.
You might be asking yourself, Why is this the case? Well, the answer is simpler than you think.
Why is the Suns’ court orange?
The Phoenix Suns are playing on an orange court because it’s an NBA Cup game.
Our 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Court ☄️ pic.twitter.com/Y9FuuTSVYl
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 24, 2025
The NBA Cup — previously known as the In-Season Tournament — is a unique competition that the league has held for the third consecutive season. NBA Cup games take place throughout the regular season but are designated separately to create a secondary competition within the year.
Phoenix is part of Western Conference Group A, which also features the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz.
To help fans easily recognize NBA Cup matchups, the league designed custom courts for every team. These courts immediately distinguish Cup games from regular-season ones. Most teams use colors that align with their Cup logos or team identities.
Phoenix’s design features their signature orange floor, with a black perimeter and their team motto — “Suns Up” — displayed at half court. Each basket area includes a trophy outline of the NBA Cup, adding to the visual flair.
It’s a fun, fan-focused tradition that adds extra excitement to the regular season — and you can expect to see more colorful courts around the league as the tournament continues.
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