Tunnel Wars: NBA Finals Game 6

Game six of the NBA Finals ended in a victory for the Indiana Pacers. Before they battled on the court, there was a showcase of outfits, which is the new norm we have for basketball players. 

Stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Tyrese Haliburton showed up in style for the athletes runway. At least that's what I like to call it. The tunnel, where you get to see the athletes' creativity off the court. Mixing in elements of luxury and streetwear fashion showing off each of their unique styles. 

Even though it does not affect the outcome of the game, I think tunnel outfits are the first real battle between two competing teams. Which team has the best style? Which player?

So as we recoup from the results of the game and the players travel back to Oklahoma City planning their championship outfits. I want to give my favorites from game six on both teams, starting with arguably the best dressed in the league. Shai Gilgeuos-Alexander.

The superstar point guard is known for his off-court style and true appreciation for fashion. From his creative director role with converse to modeling and walking for Thom Browne during Paris Fashion Week. Gilgeuous-Alexander has had his share of first-hand experiences in the fashion space, that many athletes can not relate to.

In this video, the MVP is dressed in a Chrome Hearts varsity jacket and a pair of their double-knee carpenter-style denim with their signature crosses all over. Styled with a camo hat, a blank white button-up, and his signature sneaker Shai 001 in an unreleased baby blue colorway. 

My personal favorite of the night goes to Jalen Williams or J-Dub as fans refer to him. He came with an expanded color palette compared to his teammate Gilgeous-Alexander. Wearing a 2022 Balenciaga oversized hooded flannel and what looks like a vintage tee depicting Jesus. On the bottom of his look are a pair of statement pants, pink Chrome Hearts denim with the pink crosses. Paired with all white Maison Mihara Yasuhiro Peterson sneakers, an all white leather cross body and chain with pendants all from Chrome Hearts. 

It felt like the team brand was Chrome Hearts for the night as these two came repping heavily. But that wasn't all for the Thunder as their big man Isiah Hartenstein and Lou Dort both came correct. Dort was my favorite of the two and showcased that you can have style and not be too flashy.

He wore a chocolate-brown leather blazer unbuttoned to show off the plain white tank top and what I can only assume to be Balenciaga jeans based on the shape. The team brand still made an appearance as it looks like he is wearing a Chrome Hearts belt. Accompanied by a green handbag that reads ‘READYMADE’. A great look in my opinion and refreshing difference to what some of his other teammates wore.

Overall the Thunder came dressed to impress, setting high standards for the hometown Pacers to match. Well hate to let you down they didn’t meet the bar, at least from what I saw.

The birthday boy, Bennedict Mathurin, led the team in style points for Thursday's game. He strutted down the tunnel in a Canadian tuxedo, but if you focus on his jacket it was a circle collar which is different from most denim jackets. Everything fit perfectly and he didn’t miss a moment for a subtle logo flex with a black Louis Vuitton belt. 

The star point guard of the team, Haliburton, wore a blue and yellow tracksuit that had a vintage look and a brand I couldn’t quite figure out. I assume that it was an old Russell Athletic collection with the Pacers but I could also be wrong. It was a clean look and the glasses he wore topped it off. They were sleek and the frame reminded me of the old Oakley OVERTHETOP glasses that were made iconic in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. 

Other than that I wasn’t too impressed by the Pacers, but I'll give them grace as they were focused on not being eliminated. With the outcome of the game it seems they had the right focus. I just hope to see some great fits going into game seven, the finale of the NBA season on Sunday night.