As the pivotal moments of the NBA Conference Finals unfold, the sports card market mirrors the intensity on the court with feverish anticipation. Collectors eyeing valuable iconic inserts like Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast are experiencing the thrills of the game off-court, with players from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks becoming the focus for fans and collectors alike. For those entranced by both basketball and collectibles, the stakes have never been higher, and the question on everyone’s minds is whose cards will emerge as the crown jewels of this playoff season?
In Oklahoma, the Thunder’s fiery guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, affectionately known to fans as SGA, has transformed his roles from potential prospect to absolute powerhouse. The reverberations of his prowess are being felt not just on the hardwood but in card marketplaces worldwide. His 2023 One and One Downtown insert has seen a modest 7.4% increase in raw card sales over the month. A sale tipping in at a robust $2,500 most recently underscores this upward momentum compared to their modest early May price of $1,950. Intriguingly, while SGA’s raw card sales show promise, the PSA 10 graded cards have dipped by 20%, leaving the door open for strategic buys by savvy collectors willing to gamble on the Thunder’s extended playoff journey. Meanwhile, his Obsidian Black Color Blast insert paints an even brighter picture with raw cards rising 22%, culminating in an elegant $850 sale, while PSA 10 sales climbed to an impressive $1,170. For those looking to invest with fingers crossed on OKC’s continued success, SGA’s market presents a prime opportunity.
Up north with the Minnesota Timberwolves, formidable young star Anthony Edwards — the electric Ant-Man on the court — is proving to be equally dynamic in the collectible scene. His 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! has hovered solidly, with raw cards maintaining a price around $2,950 since March. Meanwhile, the PSA 10 grade lifted marginally upwards by 2.5%, landing at nearly $9,000 in May, reinforcing his position as a long-term hoard for dedicated collectors. Moreover, Edwards’ 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown has held steady in the raw stakes, closing a sale at $5,800, while the PSA 10 variant bounded impressively by 33% reaching $13,000. As ‘Ant’s’ playoff prowess shows consistency, his cards promise enduring appeal irrespective of how far Minnesota proceeds.
Heading east, Tyrese Haliburton is making waves with the Indiana Pacers, with his leadership skills complemented by his card market boom. His 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown insert brings to light why collectors are keenly watching, with raw sales fixed presently at $1,500. However, a considerable 40% leap in PSA 10 graded cards to $4,000 signals a burgeoning demand reflecting his on-court ascendancy. His 2023 Spectra Color Blast adds a splash of excitement, with the raw version last traded at $830 and PSA 10 glowing at $1,463. Should Indiana inch closer to the NBA Finals, expect Haliburton’s inserts to skyrocket, capturing the imaginations and wallet interest of hobbyists everywhere.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks’ charge is led by Jalen Brunson, whose clutch performances fuel the city’s basketball dreams. Despite the Knicks taking a classic underdog journey to the Conference Finals, Brunson’s 2023 One and One Downtown insert presents an intriguing case of market divergence. The raw cards may have slipped 14% in recent transactions, selling around $1,100, yet conversely, PSA 10 grades have climbed an impressive 35% to $2,425. This split signals a strategic opportunity for collectors: by purchasing raw items and sending them for grading, hobbyists bet on the Knicks’ improbable furtive surge. Should New York defy the odds, raw cards today may be veritable treasures tomorrow.
As NBA fans clutch their seats in anticipation of thrilling moments yet to unfold on the court, the dynamic sports card market presents uncharted opportunities to enthusiastic collectors. Each player offers nuanced potential upsides bound to the playoffs’ outcomes. Cards from the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Edwards, Haliburton, and Brunson have become more than mere memorabilia. They’re their own kind of game, an investment opportunity and collector’s dream—a buzzer-beater in waiting.
