In the realm of collectibles, where cardboard heroes reign, the NBA’s Conference Finals not only set hearts racing for basketball fanatics but also serve as a high-stakes battleground for sports card enthusiasts. As the playoffs progress, mirroring the intensity and unpredictability of the hardwood, so too does the feverish pace of the sports card market, particularly for sought-after inserts like Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast. With four teams and their luminary players left—Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks—the stage is ablaze, and collectors are meticulously monitoring each dribble and dunk.
Let’s unveil the kaleidoscope of market movements, as we dissect each team’s key players and their most cherished collectible inserts, charting their trajectory during this whirlwind playoff passage.
When discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander undoubtedly stands at the forefront. Already proving himself to not just be a reassuring presence in the Thunder camp but also a juggernaut in the sports card market, SGA’s Downtown cards are buzzing with vitality. Firmer than a coach’s steely glare, the raw price has climbed a subtle yet significant 7.4% over the past month, reaching a proud $2,500 from early May’s humbler $1,950. However, not all that glitters has gone up; the PSA 10 variants have seen a slight decline of 20%, last peaking at $3,700. The mood is different, though, for his 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast, leaping 22% in raw form with a sale at $850, and PSA 10s tickling the $1,170 mark. For the cautiously optimistic collector, PSA 10s might be ripe for the plucking if the Thunder continue their formidable journey.
In Minnesota, the ever-energetic Anthony Edwards, affectionately dubbed “Ant-Man,” has captured imaginations and collectibles alike. Charged with ambition, his 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! continues to stir interest, maintaining its allure with its recent sale on March 1 for a raw price of $2,950. More intriguing is the tiny yet telling 2.5% uptick of his PSA 10, which fetched $8,923 early in May. Meanwhile, his 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown has become even more synonymous with treasure, surging by a whopping 33% for PSA 10s which have been snapped up for $13,000. Edwards’ performance, engaging as ever, ensures that his rare inserts will remain as tantalizing as day-old pizza—and just as quick to disappear.
Heading towards the Midwest, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers exudes calm calculation, matching the craftiness of the hobbyist market. As his leadership raises the Pacers through the ranks, it’s no surprise that his card values have followed suit. The 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown card, last spotted selling raw for $1,500 in March, has seen PSA 10s skyrocket by 40% to an exciting $4,000 as of May. His 2023 Spectra Color Blast is demonstrating a similar leap in its collectible appeal, observed notably for $830 in raw form, with the PSA 10 recently fetching $1,463. If the Pacers continue to defy odds into the Finals, Haliburton’s presence, both on the court and within binders and showcases, is poised for ascension.
Last, but defiantly not least, the New York Knicks, guided by the cheeky charm and savvy skills of Jalen Brunson, are navigating their own Cinderella story. Amid the underdog narrative and unyielding strategists sprawled across analyst tables, Brunson’s cards have been telling a story of fluctuating fortunes. The Downtown raw cards have experienced a 14% dip, presently marked at $1,100. Yet, against this backdrop of routine challenges the Knicks are known for overcoming, PSA 10 cards have seen a countercurrent of optimism, catapulting by 35% to a recent sale price of $2,425. The lesson for investors? Snag a raw card, cross your fingers for a Knicks fairytale, send it off for grading, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself holding a nugget of gold that beats the most poker-faced trading card.
The pulse of the NBA Conference Finals mirrors the fervent beat of the sports card market. Each point gained or lost on the basketball court resonates loudly in the world of collectors, where values shift with every basket. As teams battle onward, so too will the watchful eyes of hobbyists, poised to draft their own winning strategies amidst the kaleidoscope of possibility that is this playoff season. Whether you’re a collector or a dedicated obsessor, the remaining conference battles are set to captivate and, unpredictable as ever, delight those with a heart—and wallet—in the game.
