This week in kicks: Josh gettin' giddy with ANTA

• Jalen Brunson makes a statement in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals
• Indiana Pacers rookie Johnny Furphy is in the NBA Finals and digging into his wardrobe
• How to watch every NBL1 game in 2025 LIVE and FREE.

The WNBA is in full swing, with everyone from star players to fresh-faced rookies putting their best foot — and kicks — forward.

But the NBA isn’t done quite yet, with some of the league’s biggest names waiting until the last minute to break out their best.

Plus, has one Aussie superstar sneaker head made a shock brand switch?

Is Giddey leaving Nike?

Josh Giddey has been one of the NBA’s most prolific sneaker heads throughout his career, particularly fond of the Kobe line which he has worn exclusively since being drafted.

But during a stint of training in Australia during the off-season, Giddey posted a picture to his Instagram story wearing a pair of shoes from the Chinese brand ANTA.

The Chicago Bulls guard had laced up the ANTA Three-Point Rain 3, the same brand that is worn by Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward.

If Giddey is done with Nike, he would be the third Boomers star to leave the swoosh in the last year, after Josh Green defected to Skechers and Dyson Daniels made the jump to adidas this season.

Brunson channels NYC landmark

For the first time in a quarter of a century, the New York Knicks played in the Eastern Conference Finals, led by All Star guard Jalen Brunson.

A Kobe-line devotee, Brunson went deep into his closet during the series, sporting a number of impressive PEs on both the Madison Square Garden and Gainbridge Fieldhouse floors.

But no pair were more impressive than the colourway of the Kobe 6 he donned in Game 2, a turquoise and gold pair inspired by the Statue of Liberty.

Brunson impressed in the shoes, dropping 36 points and 11 assists in the loss, and the colourway ‘Hyper Turquoise’ will release later this year.

NBL1 SNEAKER OF THE WEEK

Best kicks from around the NBL1.

Under Armour star reveals restrictive WNBA sneaker policy

A WNBA restrictive sneaker policy has come under the spotlight this week, following a heartfelt moment between Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, and Los Angeles rookie Sara Ashlee Barker.

Plum noticed Barker was sporting an old pair of Ionescu’s Nike shoe, and reached out to her star Liberty friend in order to hook the rookie up with some new replacements.

People initially questioned why Plum didn’t instead provide Barker with pairs from her own sponsor, Under Armour, but according to WNBA regulations this wouldn’t be possible.

The league, who is sponsored by Nike, mandates that all players must wear the brand’s shoes unless they have signed a "qualifying shoe deal", which must include at least US$5,000 in annual cash compensation and be filed with the WNBA League Office, meaning Baker was required to lace up the Nikes.

Ohana means fresh kicks for Sparks star

Los Angeles star Dearica Hamby has made an early case for best sneaker of the year, pulling on a pair of Jordan Luka 3s in a Lilo & Stitch colourway.

With the animated cult classic being remade in live action, Hamby paid tribute to the movie with the custom colourway, featuring the pattern from Lilo’s dress, mixed with the signature blue of Stitch.

She made sure to impress in the shoes, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, despite losing to the Valkyries.

Hamby is no stranger to customising Jordan brand’s models - this season she has put her touch on a pair of the Tatum 3s, as well as the Heir Series, which she gave away to a lucky fan.

FIT OF THE WEEK: Johnny Furphy

Every week, we’ll pick one Aussie or Aussie-adjacent hooper who has put together the fit of the week.

As he heads to the NBA Finals in his rookie season, Furphy delivered an impressive look in NYC, one of many Pacers putting in work on the fashion side.