The thrill of competition in the NBA Conference Finals isn’t contained solely to the court. Pulsating with the same fervor is the world of sports card collecting, where avid hobbyists are snapping up iconic inserts. As the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks duke it out for NBA glory, the value of select “Kaboom!”, “Downtown”, and “Color Blast” cards soar in the market, akin to the players that star on them. With only four teams left, collectors everywhere are keeping a close watch on the value shifts of cards for standout players, each more coveted than the last.
Let’s dive deep into the cardboard universe of headlining athletes and their precious pieces of sports memorabilia — a team-by-team card value breakdown ensues, highlighting must-watch trends during this high-stakes playoff period.
**Oklahoma City Thunder: Ascending with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), the Thunder’s dynamic guard, is smashing through barriers of expectation in both his athletic performances and his representation amongst collectibles. In particular, his 2023 One and One Downtown card paints a picture of rising fame. Over the past month, the card’s raw version nudged upward by 7.4%, touching $2,500, a noteworthy increase from its early May valuation of $1,950. Though the PSA 10 version faced a setback, dropping 20% to a price of $3,700 in mid-May, it only primes the stage for a rebound, should Oklahoma City press further into the playoffs.
Similarly, his 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast card reflects ascendancy, evidenced by a raw card sale surging 22% to $850, while a PSA 10 version tallied up to $1,170 at its latest exchange. For collectors, seizing this window of a reduced price in graded cards might prove a savvy move, hinged on the Thunder’s successes.
**Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards’ Antics**
Anthony Edwards, the spirited face of the Timberwolves, wields his cards like he wields a basketball — with dominance. His 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! card’s raw version had recently clocked in at $2,950, not negligible for a March transaction. Notably, his PSA 10 iteration swelled 2.5%, reaching a price pinnacle of $8,923 earlier in May.
Meanwhile, riding the one-of-a-kind wave, Edwards’ 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown card established its demand with raw and PSA 10 sales at $5,800 and an eye-popping $13,000 respectively. As Edwards continues performing under the bright postseason lights, both collectors and investors keep keen eyes on his rare inserts, viewing them as enduring investments in the backdrop of his expanding stardom.
**Indiana Pacers: Haliburton’s Wave**
Tyrese Haliburton serves as the impetus behind the Pacers’ current playoff rally, all with a card following to boast. A meticulous observer would note his 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown with a raw sale at $1,500 and PSA 10 escalated 40%, settling at $4,000. Additionally, his spot on the 2023 Spectra Color Blast stirs interest as the raw sells for $830, while the PSA 10 commands $1,463.
Haliburton’s leadership potential could catalyze the Pacers right into the Finals, resulting in these modern treasures reaching unseen highs. For those shrewd enough to forecast his trajectory, holding his inserts becomes an almost foresighted gesture in anticipation of future value appreciation.
**New York Knicks: Brunson’s Underdog Tale**
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are the surprise package of the conference finals, assuming an underdog story status that plays well in collectible narratives. Despite the downward trend witnessed for Brunson’s raw 2023 One and One Downtown card, which slumped 14% to land at $1,100 in recent studies, his graded variant tells a contrasting tale, gaining 35% to settle at $2,425.
Being quick to grab these raw copies and getting them graded could morph into gold if the Knicks are to keep defying expectations. As they sail deeper into the competitive waters of NBA playoffs, those securing Brunson’s cards might be holding more than cardboard; they could be holding a touch of Gotham’s modern sports history.
As the conference finals roll onward, expect the furor around these entrancing inserts to only heighten. To the hobby enthusiast, the cards aren’t merely gleaned from glossy paper and ink. They’re treasures of story, spectacle, and a slice of basketball immortality. As stakes tower both on and off the hardwood, collections fortify, inching toward extraordinary valuations, their egos bound by the embodied legends blazoned across their fronts.
