NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2004 – The NBA and its teams will celebrate the past with a series of retro games entitled NBA Hardwood Classics Nights. As part of NBA Hardwood Classics Nights, 14 teams will honor their history by commemorating franchise milestones, anniversaries, and legendary teams and players with retro uniforms made exclusively by Reebok, special ceremonies, in-arena entertainment and promotions.

During the 2004-05 season, there will be 62 total games with at least one team wearing a classic uniform; 42 of the 62 games will feature both teams wearing classic uniforms, 23 of the 62 games will be televised on either ABC, ESPN, TNT or NBATV and five games during NBA “Rivalry Week” will feature at least one team wearing a classic uniform. The first NBA Hardwood Classics game took place on November 25th.

During the 2004-2005 regular NBA season, the following 14 teams will participate in NBA Hardwood Classic Nights:

TeamCelebrationUniformFirst Game
Indiana PacersReggie Miller’s Rookie Year1987-88 road11/25/04 (TNT)
New York KnicksNY’s All-Time Greats1979-80 home12/12/04
Los Angeles LakersLast Season in Minneapolis1959-60 road12/17/04
Washington WizardsFirst Appearance in Finals1970-71 home12/17/04
(Baltimore Bullets)
Golden State Warriors“The City” uniform era1966-67 road12/20/04
Detroit Pistons “Bolt” Era Uniform1978-81 home12/25/04 (ESPN)
Philadelphia 76ers50th Anniversary of NBA Title1954-55 road1/3/05
(Syracuse Nationals)
Cleveland Cavaliers35th Anniversary Season1975-76 home1/8/05 (ABC)
Sacramento KingsFirst Season in Sacramento1985-86 road1/15/05
Houston RocketsFirst Season in Houston1971-72 road1/18/05
Dallas MavericksFirst Appearance in Conf. Finals1987-88 road1/18/05
Portland Trail BlazersInaugural Season1970- 71 home1/19/05
Orlando MagicFirst Appearance in Finals1994-95 road1/20/05 (TNT)
Denver NuggetsLast Season in ABA1975-76 road1/26/05 (NBATV)


This is the fourth consecutive season that NBA teams have recognized their past with a themed night. During the 2001-02 season, the Los Angeles Lakers honored their Minneapolis roots with a special ceremony, banner unveiling, attendance by Minneapolis legends including George Mikan and retro uniforms. Last season, twelve teams hosted NBA Hardwood Classics Nights games.