- Skechers is opening preorders of the same “NYC Blue” Player edition shoe OG Anunoby wore in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
- The shoes are getting a limited-time release and are expected to sell out quickly.
- OG’s sneakers are retailing for just $120 during the flash-in-the-pan run.
IF YOU’VE EVER wanted to know what it feels like to make a heroic, series-shifting play in the NBA Finals, this might be your best shot.
Skechers just dropped its highly anticipated pre-order period for the same Player Edition shoe OG Anunoby wore in his now-famous Game 4 tip-in during the final seconds of the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback victory. That play earned a rare triplet of “IT’S GOOD!”s from Mike Breen, and we have a feeling he’d be just as ecstatic about a chance to rock these.
For a short time, Skechers’s SKX NEXUS will be available to the general public in Anunoby’s “NYC Blue” colorway. The drop is expected to sell out fast—Skechers even sent out invitation emails last week so you could get first dibs on the preorder period. If you didn’t sign up for emails, preorders are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Men’s Health got a chance to catch up with Anunoby after he etched his place in NBA Finals—and New York sports—lore. Skechers teamed up with the Garden of Dreams Foundation and two of its youth-focused partners, Children’s Aid and SCAN-Harbor, to host a meet-and-greet between the Knicks forward and a group of New York City children. Naturally, we had to slip in some questions about the new Player Edition shoes.
The 2026 All-Defensive team member switched to Skechers just ahead of the 2025 NBA playoffs and wore them exclusively throughout the Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals. He officially signed on as a Skechers’ ambassador in July of last year and has worn its growing line of basketball shoes ever since. The soft-spoken forward typically chooses his words carefully, but he had plenty to say about making a high-risk change at a pivotal moment in the season. Anunoby said he first saw ads for Skechers around the league, then had a friend recommend them, but he ultimately picked them out “by eye.”
“They’re strong and sturdy, but also sleek and light, so I thought it was weird that I hadn’t worn them,” the champ told me. “So last year, at the end of the regular season, I started wearing them full-time.”
Anunoby has dealt with a few lower body injuries in the past, but has largely stayed healthy over the last couple of postseasons—coincidentally, when he switched over to Skechers. He’s previously played under two coaches (Tom Thibodeau and Nick Nurse) who are well-known for playing their starters heavy minutes. OG said he thinks the shoes have “definitely helped” him stay on the floor for the Knicks in the seasons since.
“For sure,” Anunoby declared. “Just the stability that’s there in the shoe; there’s no slack—just a strong, sturdy shoe. Your feet are the foundation for everything you do, so things start there. And if those are on point and they’re strong and sturdy, it carries over to the rest of your body.”
Preorder the Skechers Player Edition Nexus Shoes
OG’s teammate, Jalen Brunson, has become somewhat notorious for driving hard to the basket, turning his ankle (raising New York’s collective blood pressure in the process), and walking back to the locker room to switch shoes. When asked if he’s ever recommended Skechers to his teammate, Anunoby (who was sporting the Aero Bursts during our conversation) gave one of his typical short and sweet responses.
“I recommend Skechers to everyone,” he quipped. “I tell everyone, even non-players, just about how great Skechers are.”
I asked if Anunoby ever finds himself switching out his shoes mid-game like his teammate, and he said he does, but for a different reason entirely.
“I like too many pairs of [Skechers] shoes, and you can’t really wear like eight pairs of shoes in a game,” Anunoby explained. “So sometimes I’ll just settle for two or three just because I like how they look. I’ll play like half the game in a pair and switch.”
OG and I chatting about his Skechers.
And while my humble opinion doesn’t hold nearly the same weight as the league’s best two-way player, sturdy feels like the perfect adjective. I couldn’t sniff Anunoby’s numbers even in a no-fast-break rec league, but I own a pair of the Nexus in yellow, and I’m not kidding when I say they’re the best basketball shoes I’ve worn on the court in years. There’s undoubtedly a little more “unc” to my back-to-the-basket game, but I immediately felt springier, and there was a noticeable difference in my lateral quickness.
As someone who typically wears high-tops, I was surprised at how supportive and stable the low shoes felt without feeling too restrictive. They’re lightweight and especially comfortable in the toe box. The latter was a little less shocking—that’s sort of Skechers’ thing. I felt 10 years younger (and probably 10 pounds lighter), and the bold colorway is sleek enough to wear off the court. And the fact that they’re just $100 is icing on the cake.
The Knicks colorway, of course, takes sleek to a new level. Somewhat dissimilar to OG, I’ll be rocking the NYC Blue almost purely for aesthetics. And another key differentiator: I won’t be swapping them out all summer long. Knicks in 5, baby.
Preorder the Skechers Player Edition Nexus Shoes
Tim Kohut is the Deals and Trends Editor for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, Best Products, and Runner’s World. He has extensive product review and gear coverage expertise, particularly in tech, home, auto, and health. Tim was previously the Deputy Commerce Editor of The Drive and a Commerce Editor at BGR. He’s also overseen gear coverage and strategy at Popular Science, Bob Vila, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. He has a strong affinity for cats, Batman, and early 90’s Nicolas Cage films, in that order.
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